The introduction of the digital payment system was a revolutionary chapter in India’s financial history, combining convenience and reliability. Since its inception, the digital payments system in India has undergone several updates, each aimed at making it more reliable, robust and accessible to the less developed communities within the country. The Aadhaar Enabled Payment System, or AePS, is one such initiative by the top financial institutions to promote financial inclusion. In this article, we discuss AePS in detail and how Razorpay includes the AePS as part of it’s payment facilitation.
Key Takeaways
Aadhaar -enabled Payment System, developed by the NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India) is a novel initiative aimed at financial inclusion. With AePS, customers can perform banking transactions using only their Aadhaar card details.
Razorpay has integrated AePS service, enabling retailers from underdeveloped regions of India to conduct transactions without going through the hassle of using bank-specific apps or credit/debit cards.
What is Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS)?
The Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AEPS) is a bank-led digital payment framework developed by NPCI that allows users to carry out basic banking transactions such as cash withdrawal, deposit, and balance enquiry using Aadhaar-based biometric authentication. It enables secure, cardless transactions through micro-ATMs or business correspondents, especially benefiting users without smartphones or debit cards. The system enables customers to conduct basic banking transactions with the help of –
- Bank Name
- Aadhaar Number
- Biometrics captured during enrollment
Encouraging people to use Unified Identification Number as the primary source of identification and transaction was the major motivation behind this initiative. This new step has enabled customers – especially businesses, to use banking services without having to rely on financial aids like cards and passbooks.
How Does AEPS Work?
A customer needs to link their bank account with their Aadhaar number to use AEPS. These transactions are done through banking correspondents or micro-ATMs equipped with biometric scanners. The process includes the following steps:
- Initiation: The customer visits a banking correspondent or uses a micro-ATM at an NPCI partner bank outlet.
- Authentication: The customer enters their Aadhaar number, selects their bank, and completes biometric authentication (fingerprint or iris), which is verified by UIDAI.
- The desired transaction (cash withdrawal, deposit, fund transfer, balance enquiry, etc.) is chosen.
- Transaction selection: The customer chooses the transaction type such as cash withdrawal, cash deposit, balance enquiry, fund transfer, or mini statement.
- Processing: Once verified, the transaction is processed and the customer receives confirmation along with a printed receipt.
When you transact using the AePS, the system makes use of biometric authentication to validate the transaction. This ensures that no one else can access your details.
Key Features of SEPS
In addition to that, here are a few other key features of using the AePS for transactions.
- No debit or credit card or PIN is required. Transactions are completed using only the Aadhaar number and biometric authentication
- Supports basic banking services such as cash withdrawal, cash deposit, balance enquiry, fund transfer, and mini statement
- Interoperable across banks, allowing customers of any bank to use the service at any AePS-enabled micro-ATM
- Biometric authentication adds a strong layer of security, reducing the chances of fraud
- Helps improve financial inclusion, especially in rural and underserved areas with limited access to traditional banking infrastructure
In addition to that, here are a few other key features of using the AePS for transactions.
- No debit/credit card or PIN is required; only Aadhaar number and biometric authentication.
- Enables multiple banking services: cash withdrawal, deposit, balance enquiry, fund transfers, and mini statements.
- Transactions are interoperable across banks—any bank’s customer can transact at any AePS-enabled micro-ATM.
- Biometric authentication ensures robust transactions, leaving very little room for fraud.
- Designed to drive financial inclusion in rural and underserved areas where traditional banking infrastructure is limited.
Who Can Use AePS?
If you possess an Aadhaar card and your Aadhaar number is linked to your bank account, you are eligible to transact using the AePS. As mentioned above, one of the major reasons behind developing this system was to encourage customers to use their Aadhaar card not just for identification purposes but also to conduct banking transactions without having to carry several bank documents. In addition to transactions, customers can also avail an array of different banking services with just one card.
Here is a list pre-requisites that customers must fulfill to complete an Aadhaar based transactions.
Aadhaar Requirement: The user must possess a valid Aadhaar number.
Aadhaar-linked Bank Account: The bank account must be linked to the user’s Aadhaar number. Transactions are only possible through such linked accounts.
Biometric Verification: Customers must be able to provide biometric authentication (usually fingerprint) at the transaction point.
Razorpay And AePS: How Razorpay Helps Retailers With This Feature?
Razorpay is the preferred payment gateway for several businesses – big and small. Its ecosystem has evolved to incorporate Aadhaar -based payment transactions, making it a hassle-free task. This is beneficial especially for rural businesses located in places with limited or no access to regular banking services. Benefits for Businesses and Users. Through the Razorpay Partner Program, several businesses have access to the Aadhaar payment system, facilitating seamless transactions.
Seamless Experience With Razorpay: Users can use Aadhaar-linked accounts for secure, cashless payments—avoiding the need for cards or manual bank details—with high transaction success and ease of use, particularly for government- or utility-related services.
Innovation in Financial Inclusion: AePS enables broader access to digital financial services in rural and semi-urban India, and integrations like those by Razorpay help democratize access to these payment options for a wider set of users.
Although the system is not entirely foolproof, AePS has managed to connect several populations across India to a seamless, secure and flexible banking experience.
Conclusion
The NPCI has realised the idea of a unified source of authentication for banking transactions with Aadhaar based payment systems, making secure banking accessible to remote populations throughout India. With AePS integration, payment gateways like Razorpay have successfully facilitated seamless banking transactions for businesses. Since the system is new, it is being rolled out in phases, to ensure end-to-end robustness and accuracy. Although it is secure, it is not foolproof. Hence, it is imperative that organizations must follow best-practices and use the system with necessary precautions while doing so.
FAQs
1. What Is AEPS Full Form in Banking?
AEPS full form in banking is Aadhaar Enabled Payment System.
2. What is the difference between the Aadhaar-enabled Payment System and UPI?
Aadhaar-enabled Payment System encourages consumers to use their Aadhaar card to authenticate simple banking transactions online. This reduces reliance on other aids such as bank passbooks and ATM cards. In AePS, consumers can perform banking transactions using their Aadhaar card for authentication. UPI stands for Unified Payments Interface, a platform which facilitates digital transactions to merchants securely through applications. UPI transactions can be undertaken anywhere.
3. Do I need a smartphone for AEPS transactions?
Not necessarily. AePS transactions can be done using micro-ATMs or by getting in touch with Business Correspondents in any of the NPCI-approved banks.
4 .Can I use AEPS without linking Aadhaar to my bank account?
No, To be able to use the AePS, your Aadhaar card number must be linked to your bank account.
5. Is AEPS safe and secure for banking?
AePS is one of the safest ways for banking. Biometric authentication requires consumers to be physically present in the bank while conducting their business which makes this method less susceptible to instances of fraud and financial scams. However, it is still in its infancy hence consumers must adhere to best practices while using it.
