The Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AEPS) is a banking service introduced by the Government of India to facilitate financial transactions using Aadhaar authentication. Aadhaar is a unique 12-digit identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to residents of India.

AEPS allows individuals to access basic banking services such as cash withdrawal, balance inquiry, fund transfers, and other transactions using their Aadhaar number and biometric authentication, which can include fingerprints or iris scans. It eliminates the need for physical cards, documents, or signatures, making transactions more convenient and secure. The AEPS system is interoperable across different banks and service providers, enabling individuals to access their Aadhaar-linked bank accounts through any AEPS-enabled outlet or bank branch. It also facilitates the direct transfer of government benefits, subsidies, and pensions to beneficiaries' Aadhaar-linked bank accounts, ensuring timely and transparent disbursement of funds.

Benifits

  • Access to Financial Services: AEPS enables individuals, especially those in rural and underserved areas, to access basic financial services such as cash withdrawals, balance inquiries, and fund transfers through Aadhaar authentication.
  • Convenient Transactions: AEPS allows people to perform transactions using their Aadhaar number and biometric authentication, eliminating the need for physical cards or documents. This makes transactions more convenient and hassle-free.
  • Financial Inclusion: AEPS plays a crucial role in promoting financial inclusion by bringing the unbanked and under banked population into the formal banking system. It allows them to perform banking transactions and avail themselves of various financial services.
  • Government Benefit Disbursement: AEPS facilitates the direct transfer of government benefits, subsidies, and pensions to the beneficiaries' Aadhaar-linked bank accounts. This ensures timely and transparent disbursement of funds, eliminating intermediaries and reducing the risk of corruption.
  • Secure Transactions: AEPS uses biometric authentication, such as fingerprints or iris scans, for secure identification and verification of individuals. This enhances the security of transactions, reducing the risk of fraud or identity theft.
  • Cost Savings: AEPS transactions are cost-effective compared to traditional payment methods. It eliminates the need for physical infrastructure, paperwork, and cash handling, resulting in cost savings for both individuals and service providers.
  • Financial Empowerment: AEPS empowers individuals by giving them control over their financial transactions and reducing dependency on cash. It promotes digital payments, encourages savings, and provides access to credit and other financial products and services.
  • Ease of Use: AEPS is user-friendly and accessible to people with minimal financial literacy. Its simple and intuitive interface makes it easy for individuals, including those from rural or remote areas, to perform transactions independently.
  • Interoperability: AEPS is interoperable across multiple banks and service providers, allowing individuals to access their Aadhaar-linked accounts and perform transactions through any AEPS-enabled outlet or bank.
  • Digital India Initiative: AEPS aligns with the vision of the Digital India initiative by promoting digital payments and driving financial inclusion. It contributes to building a less-cash economy and leveraging technology to empower individuals economically.