Aadhaar Payment App: What is it, How it Works, How Can You Use it?

As we all know, Aadhar is a unique 12 digit identification number that has been provided by the government of India to each resident. It solves a number of purposes such as being a proof of address and identity. The Aadhar has lately been linked with all the bank accounts to facilitate bank account portability. The Indian government has left no stone unturned to ensure that there are a number of benefits of the Aadhar and that it is almost a necessity for every citizen of India. In wake of the Digital India initiative by the prime minister, an Aadhaar Payment app has been launched.

What is the Aadhaar Payment App?

Towards the end of 2016, in the last week of December, an Aadhar-based mobile payment application which is more popularly known as the Aadhar payments app was launched by the Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi. The name of this recently launched Aadhar payments app is BHIM (Bharat Interface for Money).

For an in-depth post on the BHIM app, click here. Or continue reading to know more!

The Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi at the “Digi Dhan Mela” event in Delhi asked the citizens to make at least five digital transactions to understand the concept behind e- payments. The Prime Minister also said,

“Download it on a smartphone or on a feature phone. It is not necessary to have the internet for this app. In the next two weeks, one more work is being done, which will increase the power of BHIM so much that you would be able to withdraw money even with your fingerprints”

So what exactly is this application? Putting it in simple words, BHIM is a biometric and rebranded version of the Unified Payment Interface (UPI) and Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD). The application will minimize the role of plastic cards and point-of-sale machines which were once believed to be essential for a cashless society.

How to Download and Use the Aadhaar Payment App?

In order to use the application to make payments, you will require your UIDAI Aadhar card details. With the help of the Aadhar payments app, you will be able to pay money without an internet connection or debit/credit card.

There are a lot of people who have bank accounts but were earlier unable to make payments directly via the bank accounts as they didn’t have the option of internet banking available nor did they have a debit/ credit card. This application will enable such people to make payments without any hassles.

How to Download the Aadhaar Payment App

The Aadhar payment application can be downloaded from Google Play if you are using an Android phone.  Simply type “Aadhar Payments App” or ‘BHIM’ and download the app.

Or click the link here – BHIM App on Google Play

How to Use the Aadhar Payments App

Making payment via the Aadhar payments app is simple, simply follow the steps mentioned below:

Step 1- Enter the UIDAI number

As soon as you open the application, you will be required to enter your UIDAI number which is also called as the Aadhar card number. Enter this number and proceed.

Step 2-Selection of Bank

You will now be required to select the bank you have an account in. You will be able to make payments only if you Aadhar is linked to your bank account. To know more about Aadhar card linkage, click here.

If your Aadhar has already been linked, the details of all the bank accounts linked will automatically be fetched by the server and all you need to do is select the bank you want to make the payment from.

Step 3- Use Fingerprint / PIN

If you have a fingerprint enabled smartphone, then you will now be asked to put in your fingerprint. Your fingerprint will serve as your password and will allow you to make the transaction. The power of banking now lies in your thumb!