**Summary:**
RBI Circular RBI201516289, FIDD.CO.LBS.BC. No.1702.01.001201516, dated January 14, 2016, clarifies the use of Aadhaar for the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme. This circular addresses scheduled commercial banks, including Regional Rural Banks (RRBs). It references previous circulars regarding the use of Aadhaar to facilitate the delivery of social welfare benefits via direct credit to beneficiaries' bank accounts, specifically: RPCD.CO.LBS.BC.No.1102.01.001201314 dated July 9, 2013; RPCD.CO. LBS.BC.No.7502.01.001201213 dated May 10, 2013; RPCD.CO.RRB.BC.No.8803.05.33201112 dated June 19, 2012; RPCD.CO.FID.BC.No.4112.01.011201112 dated November 30, 2011; and RPCD.CO.BC.FID.No.1612.01.019201112 dated August 12, 2011.
In light of the Supreme Court of India's interim orders dated August 11, 2015, and October 15, 2015 (W.P. c No. 494 of 2012), the circular clarifies that the use of Aadhaar cards and the seeding of bank accounts with Aadhaar numbers are purely voluntary and not mandatory.
The circular was issued by A. Udgata, Principal Chief General Manager, Financial Inclusion Development Department, Central Office, Reserve Bank of India, 10th Floor, Central Office Building, Shahid Bhagat Singh Marg, P.B.No.10014, Mumbai – 400001. Contact information includes telephone numbers 022-22601000, 91-22-22621011, 22610943, 22610948 and email address cgmincfidd@rbi.org.in.
Key Entities Referenced
Direct Benefit Transfer DBT Scheme: A government initiative for transferring subsidies and social welfare benefits directly to beneficiaries' bank accounts.
Aadhaar: A 12-digit individual identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India.
Scheduled Commercial Banks: Banks that are listed in the Second Schedule of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.
RRBs: Regional Rural Banks; banks established to cater to the needs of the rural population.
Supreme Court of India: The highest judicial body of India.
Mumbai, Maharashtra: The financial capital of India and location of the RBI Central Office.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI): India's central bank, responsible for regulating the banking system and issuing currency.
Financial Inclusion Development Department (FIDD): A department within the Reserve Bank of India focused on promoting financial inclusion.
RBI/2015-16/289
FIDD.CO.LBS.BC. No.17/02.01.001/2015-16 January 14, 2016
The Chairman and Managing Director
Scheduled Commercial Banks including RRBs
Dear Sir/Madam,
Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Scheme –
Seeding of Aadhaar in Bank Accounts – Clarification
Please refer to circular RPCD.CO.LBS.BC.No.11/02.01.001/2013-14 dated July 9,
2013 regarding the use of Aadhaar to facilitate delivery of social welfare benefits by
direct credit to the bank accounts of beneficiaries as also the following circulars on the
same subject matter:
RPCD.CO. LBS.BC.No.75/02.01.001/2012-13 dated May 10, 2013
RPCD.CO.RRB.BC.No.88/03.05.33/2011-12 dated June 19, 2012
RPCD.CO.FID.BC.No.41/12.01.011/2011-12 dated November 30, 2011
RPCD.CO.BC.FID.No.16/12.01.019/2011-12 dated August 12, 2011.
2. In this connection, in view of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India’s interim
orders dated August 11, 2015 and October 15, 2015 (W.P. ( c ) No. 494 of 2012) on
usages of Aadhaar, it is hereby clarified that use of Aadhaar Card and seeding of
bank accounts with Aadhaar numbers is purely voluntary and it is not mandatory.
Yours faithfully,
(A. Udgata)
Principal Chief General Manager
�वत् तीय समावेशन और �वकास �वभाग, केन्द्र�य कायार्लय,10 वी मंिजल, क�द्र�य कायार्लय भवन, शह�द भगत�सहं माग,र्पोस्ट बॉक्स सं. 10014,मुंबई -400001
Financial Inclusion & Development Dept, Central Office,10th Floor, Central Office Building, Shahid Bhagat Singh Marg,P.B.No.10014,Mumbai-1
टेल� Tel:022-22601000 फैक्सः 91-22-22621011/22610943/22610948 ई -मेल : cgmincfidd@rbi.org.in
�हदं � आसान है,इसका प्रयोग बढ़ाइए।
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