KYC (Know Your Customer) is mandatory for all bank accounts in India. This guide covers the complete KYC process — from Aadhaar eKYC to in-person verification — including what documents are required, how to update KYC details, and what happens if your KYC is not updated.

## What You Will Learn

What KYC is and why it is mandatory
Documents accepted for KYC verification
How to complete KYC via Aadhaar eKYC vs in-person verification
How to update KYC details when they change
What happens if KYC is not updated

## What Is KYC and Why Is It Mandatory? KYC (Know Your Customer) is a regulatory requirement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. Banks are required to verify the identity, address, and financial profile of every customer to prevent money laundering, terrorism financing, and financial fraud. Every bank account holder in India must complete KYC verification. Without valid KYC, your bank account has restricted functionality — you cannot make transactions above ₹10,000 per day and may eventually be frozen. As per RBI's KYC Master Directions (updated 2024), banks must complete KYC for all existing customers and periodic updates are required at intervals determined by the customer's risk profile (typically every 2 years for low-risk customers, more frequent for high-risk customers). ## Types of KYC Documents RBI accepts specific officially valid documents (OVDs) for identity and address verification. **Valid Identity Documents (Any One)**: - Aadhaar Card - PAN Card (valid, not expired) - Valid passport - Voter ID card - Driving license - Job card issued by NREGA (signed and valid) **Valid Address Documents (Any One)**: - Aadhaar Card (if address is updated) - Passport - Voter ID card - Driving license - Utility bill (electricity, water, gas) — not older than 2 months - Bank statement with address - Rental agreement **Critical Rule**: The name on the identity document must match the name in the bank's records. If your name has changed (due to marriage, for example), you must update your documents before completing KYC. As per UIDAI guidelines, the Aadhaar Card is the most commonly used OVD because it enables eKYC — the fully digital verification process that eliminates the need to submit physical copies of documents. ## Step 1: Determine Your KYC Type There are two main types of KYC processes depending on your situation. **Full KYC (In-Person Verification — IPV)**: Required for first-time account opening or periodic KYC update. You visit a bank branch with original documents, and a bank official verifies them in person. **eKYC (Aadhaar-based Digital Verification)**: Available at most banks for account opening and periodic updates. The bank fetches your details from UIDAI using your Aadhaar number with your consent. This requires your Aadhaar to be linked to your mobile number. **CKYC (Central KYC Registry)**: The government-mandated Central KYC Registry (CKYC) stores KYC records digitally. Once your KYC is verified and uploaded to CKYC by one bank, other banks can access the same record — eliminating the need to repeat KYC for every new bank account. Visit ckyc.in to check your CKYC status. ## Step 2: Complete KYC at Account Opening When you open a new bank account, the bank will initiate the KYC process immediately. **At a Branch**: 1. Submit self-attested copies of identity and address documents 2. The bank official verifies the originals against copies 3. Your photograph is taken at the branch 4. You fill out the KYC form 5. The bank uploads your details to CKYC within 7 days **Via Aadhaar eKYC (Digital)**: 1. The bank app fetches your Aadhaar data with your OTP consent 2. Your photo, name, address, and date of birth are pulled from UIDAI 3. The bank verifies these details in real-time 4. No physical document submission required 5. KYC is completed digitally and uploaded to CKYC ## Step 3: Periodic KYC Update RBI requires banks to update KYC at regular intervals. If your KYC is not updated, your account becomes inoperative. **KYC Update Timelines**: - Low-risk customers: Every 8–10 years (if no change in KYC details) - Medium-risk customers: Every 4–5 years - High-risk customers: Every 2 years **When You Must Update KYC Immediately**: - Change of address - Change of mobile number - Change of name (marriage, legal change) - Change of primary identity document (e.g., new PAN card, new passport) - Change of signature - Change of citizenship or residency status **How to Update Address in KYC**: 1. Log in to your net banking or mobile app 2. Go to "Update KYC" or "KYC Details" 3. Submit a new address proof document (self-attested) 4. For digital update: upload the document through the app 5. For physical: visit branch with original documents 6. Bank verifies and updates within 7–10 working days ## Step 4: Complete KYC If Your Account Is Restricted If your bank has flagged your account for non-updated KYC, you will receive SMS and email notifications. **Account Restrictions Without KYC**: - Cash withdrawals and deposits: Limited to ₹10,000 per day - Fund transfers: Not permitted - Cheque clearing: May be held - Account may be frozen after prolonged non-compliance **How to Restore a Restricted Account**: 1. Visit your bank branch with original KYC documents 2. Fill out the KYC update form 3. Submit self-attested copies of documents 4. The bank processes the update within 7–10 working days 5. Account restrictions are lifted upon successful verification **Pro Tip**: Do not wait for your bank to restrict your account. Check your KYC status through your mobile app or net banking and update proactively. The KYC section typically shows your "KYC Status" as "Verified," "Pending," or "Expired." ## Step 5: Link Aadhaar to Your Bank Account Linking Aadhaar to your bank account is mandatory under Section 11AA of the PMLA Act. It enables both eKYC and government subsidies (like DBT for cooking gas, Mahatma Gandhi NREGA payments). **How to Link Aadhaar to Your Bank Account**: 1. Through net banking: Log in → Services → Update Aadhaar → Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number 2. Through mobile app: Profile → Update Aadhaar 3. Through ATM: Insert debit card → Services → Update Aadhaar 4. Through SMS: Send "UID<12-digit Aadhaar>" to the bank's SMS number (different for each bank) 5. Through branch: Submit a physical Aadhaar seeding form **Important**: Your name in Aadhaar and your name in the bank account must match exactly. If they do not, the linking will fail. Update one of them before attempting to link. As per the Supreme Court's 2018 ruling in Justice K.S. Puttaswamy vs Union of India, Aadhaar linking to bank accounts is constitutionally valid, though the use of Aadhaar for private entities is regulated to prevent data misuse. ## Common Mistakes to Avoid **Using Expired Documents**: Your PAN card (if laminated), passport, or voter ID may have expired. Always verify that documents are valid before submitting for KYC. An expired document is not accepted as a valid OVD. **Mismatched Names Across Documents**: If your name on your PAN is "Rahul Sharma" but your bank account shows "Rahul Kumar Sharma," the mismatch causes KYC failure. Resolve name discrepancies by visiting the bank branch with a proper explanation and supporting documents. **Not Updating KYC After Moving House**: Your address proof becomes invalid when you move. Update your KYC with your new address within 30 days of the change — do not wait for the bank to remind you. **Ignoring KYC Reminders from the Bank**: Banks send multiple reminders via SMS and email before restricting accounts. Ignoring these reminders can lead to your account becoming inoperative at an inconvenient time. ## Pros and Cons | Pros | Cons | |---|---| | CKYC enables one-time KYC across all banks | Mismatched documents cause rejection and delays | | Digital eKYC eliminates branch visits | Periodic updates every 2–10 years are mandatory | | Aadhaar linkage enables DBT and government subsidies | Expired documents are not accepted | | Digital KYC reduces identity fraud | Name change situations require extensive documentation | ## Frequently Asked Questions **Q1: Can I complete KYC without visiting a bank branch?** A: Yes. Most banks offer Aadhaar eKYC through their mobile app or website where no branch visit is required. For periodic KYC updates, digital document upload through the app is sufficient in most cases. Physical branch visit is only required for complex situations like joint accounts with different authorization modes, minor accounts, or cases where your identity is in doubt. **Q2: My bank says my KYC is expired. What should I do?** A: Update your KYC immediately through your bank's app or by visiting a branch with valid documents. The process takes 7–10 working days. Until KYC is updated, your account will have transaction restrictions. **Q3: Can I use my Aadhaar as both identity and address proof for KYC?** A: Yes, if your current address is updated in your Aadhaar. If your Aadhaar address is outdated, you will need a separate address proof document that reflects your current residence. **Q4: How do I check my CKYC status?** A: Visit ckyc.in and enter your 14-digit KYC identifier (if you have it from a previous account opening form) or your Aadhaar number to check if your KYC records exist in the central registry. **Q5: What is the difference between KYC and AML?** A: KYC (Know Your Customer) is the process of verifying who you are. AML (Anti-Money Laundering) is the broader set of regulations and systems banks use to detect and prevent money laundering. KYC is a subset of AML compliance — you complete KYC, and the bank uses it as part of their AML framework. ## Related Guides