Ans. KYC verification once done by one branch/ office of the RE shall be valid for transfer of the account to any other branch/ office of the same RE, provided full KYC verification has already been done for the concerned account and the same is not due for periodic updation.

Ans. Yes, documents as mentioned in reply to Q 5 above shall be submitted by all account holders of a joint account to the RE.

Ans. An RE has the following options to onboard a customer:

(a) Face-to-face onboarding:

• Visit to the branch/ office of the RE;
• using e-KYC authentication (OTP as well as biometric based authentication); undertaking offline verification of proof of possession of Aadhaar Number; obtaining certified copy of the OVD or equivalent e-document thereof; undertaking ‘Digital KYC Process’, as per paragraph 16 of the MD on KYC.
• Video based Customer Identification Process (V-CIP) complying with prescribed standards and procedures.

(b) Non-face-to-face onboarding:

• using Aadhaar OTP based e-KYC authentication;
• using digital channels such as CKYCR, DigiLocker, equivalent e-document, etc., and non-digital modes such as obtaining copy of OVD certified by additional certifying authorities as allowed for NRIs and PIOs.

Ans. KYC Identifier means the unique number or code assigned to a customer of an RE by the Central KYC Records Registry (CKYCR). If the customer approaches an RE for opening an account, he can provide his KYC Identifier and give consent to the RE to download the valid KYC data from CKYCR. This can obviate the need for the customer to submit KYC documents again while opening an account with another RE.

Ans. In addition to the purpose of establishing an account-based relationship, KYC Identifier can be used for updation/ periodic updation of KYC, or for verification of identity of a customer. Further details in this regard are given in paragraph 56(j) of the Master Direction on KYC.

Ans. Yes, the RE is required to obtain customer’s explicit consent to use his/ her KYC Identifier for downloading KYC records from CKYCR for the purposes mentioned in reply to Q. 14 and 15.

Ans. A customer can obtain his KYC Identifier through the following ways:

1. In the process of opening an account, once the customer’s KYC Identifier is generated by CKYCR and provided to the RE, the latter shall share the same with the concerned customer.
2. The customer can also access his KYC Identifier on CKYCR Portal (www.ckycindia.in).

Ans. For the purpose of opening an account, RE is required to seek the KYC Identifier from the customer or retrieve the same, if available, from the CKYCR and obtain KYC records by using such KYC Identifier. In such cases, the customer is not required to submit the same KYC records/ information/ any other additional identification documents, unless–

1. there is a change in the information of the customer as existing in the records of CKYCR; or
2. the KYC record or information retrieved is incomplete or is not as per the current applicable KYC norms; or
3. the validity period of downloaded documents has lapsed; or
4. the RE considers it necessary in order to verify the identity or address (including current address) of the customer, or to perform enhanced due diligence or to build an appropriate risk profile of the customer.

Ans. V-CIP is an alternate method of customer identification with facial recognition and customer due diligence that allows REs to obtain and verify a customer’s identity information through a digital, secure, live, informed and consent-based and live audio-visual interaction between an authorised RE official and the customer to obtain identification information required for CDD purpose. V-CIP eliminates the need for physical visit to a branch of the RE but is treated on par with face-to-face CIP. Assisted V-CIP is also permitted when banks take help of Business Correspondents (BCs) facilitating the process only at the customer end.

Ans: No, making specific facial gesture like blinking of eyes, smiling, frowning, etc. are not mandatory for liveness check. The RE is required to take due cognizance of special need, if any, of the customer during liveness check.