Reflection 06 - 12 Years of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi – Digital Transactions Reflections

 12 Reflections. 12 Months. 12 Years. One Digital Journey.

Published 15 June 2026 | Reflection 06

By Nayakanti Prashant
3rd Gen Banker & Citizen Lobbyist – Bengaluru
Advocating Digital Transactions Day (April 11)

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Vishwas (Trust)

June 🇯🇵 Japan

Disclaimer

These are my personal reflections as a citizen observer and Digital Transactions Day advocate. This series reflects on India's digital journey during the twelve years of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's tenure and is not intended as a political assessment or scorecard.

I have chosen to reflect back on 12 years of Shri Narendra Modi as Prime Minister of India via reflections on Digital Transactions.

Digital Payments are a sub-set of Digital Transactions.

The ultimate goal is April 11 – Digital Transactions Day.

All other routes are the bridges to April 11 – Digital Transactions Day.

India, Japan and the Idea of Trust

Reflection 01 explored Sankalpa (Vision).

Reflection 02 explored Samavesha (Inclusion).

Reflection 03 explored Parivartana (Transformation).

Reflection 04 explored Sahabhagita (Participation).

Reflection 05 explored Suvidha (Convenience).

Vision creates direction.

Inclusion expands access.

Transformation changes experiences.

Participation creates scale.

Convenience creates habit.

But habits endure only when trust exists.

That brings us to Reflection 06.

Vishwas.

Because trust sustains adoption.

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India 2019: Trust Through Digital Identity

By 2019, India's digital journey was increasingly focused on strengthening trust within digital interactions.

One example was the expansion of Aadhaar Paperless Offline e-KYC, which allowed citizens to share digitally signed identity information without repeatedly submitting physical documents.

Useful references:

https://uidai.gov.in

https://www.digitalindia.gov.in/milestones/

Imagine a student applying for admission hundreds of kilometres away from home. Instead of carrying a folder filled with photocopies and identity proofs, the student shares a digitally verified identity record. A service provider confirms authenticity. Permission is granted. The process takes minutes rather than days.

No money has moved.

Yet a digital transaction has already occurred.

Trust has travelled through a digital channel.

The objective was simple.

Enable trust without excessive paperwork.

Enable verification without unnecessary friction.

Enable digital interactions without requiring physical presence.

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Japan 2019: Trust Through Data Governance

In 2019, Japan advanced an idea that carried significance far beyond its borders.

During the G20 Osaka Summit, Japan promoted the concept of Data Free Flow with Trust (DFFT), recognizing that digital societies require trusted mechanisms for sharing information across organizations, sectors and national boundaries.

Useful references:

https://www.mofa.go.jp

https://www.g20.org

Imagine information moving across organizations, industries and even national boundaries. The challenge is not simply moving data faster. The challenge is ensuring that the recipient trusts the information, the sender trusts the process and citizens trust the safeguards protecting their rights.

This idea sat at the heart of Japan's DFFT initiative.

In a digital society, trust becomes the invisible infrastructure that allows information to move with confidence.

Trust enables participation.

Trust enables innovation.

Trust enables digital ecosystems to grow.

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Two Countries, One Reflection

India focused on trusted digital identity.

Japan focused on trusted data governance.

Yet both highlighted the same lesson.

Technology alone does not create confidence.

Confidence emerges when systems are reliable, transparent and predictable.

Trust is earned.

And once earned, it becomes one of the strongest foundations of digital progress.

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Strengthening the Digital Transactions Day Concept

One reason I continue advocating for Digital Transactions Day (April 11) is that digital transactions are often confused with digital payments.

Digital payments are important.

But they are only one part of a larger story.

When identity is authenticated digitally, a digital transaction occurs.

When permissions are granted electronically, a digital transaction occurs.

When records are verified digitally, a digital transaction occurs.

When information is exchanged securely, a digital transaction occurs.

The transfer of money is only one form of digital transaction.

The transfer of trust is equally important.

In many cases, trust is established before money ever moves.

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A Reflection For Digital Transactions Day

As a citizen advocate for Digital Transactions Day, I believe trust deserves a special place in the digital journey.

Vision may inspire adoption.

Convenience may encourage participation.

But trust sustains both.

Without trust, citizens hesitate.

Without trust, institutions hesitate.

Without trust, digital ecosystems struggle to grow.

For me, that is the enduring message of Vishwas.

Because every meaningful digital interaction ultimately depends on trust.

And perhaps that is one of the strongest bridges toward Digital Transactions Day.

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Twin Country Methodology

Each reflection is paired with one month of the year and one twin country.

The objective is not comparison or ranking, but reflection.

The twin country serves as a symbolic companion to the theme of the day, illustrating how different societies can pursue similar digital aspirations through different journeys.

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Looking Ahead

Reflection 07

Suraksha (Security)

Because trust grows stronger when digital interactions are secure.

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The Joy of Digital Transactions

Nayakanti Prashant
3rd Gen Banker & Citizen Lobbyist – Bengaluru
Digital Transactions Day (April 11)

 

Author’s Blogs

https://prashantrandomthoughts.blogspot.com
https://prashantnepayments.blogspot.com
https://innovationinbanking.blogspot.com

 

 

Are mysterious mobile numbers linked with your Aadhaar Number??

      

          UIDAI CEO Ajay Pandey has informed to public at large that UIDAI has advised all telecom companies operating in India to enable a facility that will allow subscribers to check the mobile SIMs which are linked to their Aadhaar number.

The primary reason for this facility is to guard Aadhaar Numbers being linked to unauthorized mobiles.

Instead of the word ‘unauthorised’, the words ‘unknown’, or ‘mysterious’, are more apt.

UIDAI provides an ‘Aadhaar authentication history’, tool to enable Aadhaar holders to verify when their Aadhaar number was verified. However as UIDAI does not store the authentication purpose, it is of limited usage.

Aadhaar is becoming the default identity proof of residents by various government and non-government entities.

          Telecom companies have been mandated to link the cellphone SIMS with Aadhaar Numbers. This is to establish the identity of mobile phone users.

Against the 142.9 crore active mobile subscribers, in 85.7 crore cases the mobile connections have already been linked with Aadhaar.

And, it is here where the problems have surfaced. UIDAI came to know about some retailers, operators and agents of telecom companies allegedly misusing Aadhaar authentication facility to issue new SIMs or for re-verification of numbers other than that of the Aadhaar holder. Such complaints must have reached a very high number for UIDAI to take corrective steps.

When contacted, UIDAI CEO Ajay Bhushan Pandey told PTI, “In order, for people, to know which mobile number is linked to Aadhaar, all telecom operators have been asked to provide this service to their customers by March 15.”

Hence, UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India) has directed all telecom operators to provide a facility that will enable their subscribers to check if the mobile SIMs are linked with their Aadhaar number, a step to guard against any unauthorised use.

UIDAI has directed telcos to make the new facility available to subscribers by March 15.

The telcos have been asked to provide the facility, including SMS-based offering that will allow their subscribers to check whether their mobile number is linked with Aadhaar as well as information on other mobile numbers is issued or verified against that Aadhaar number.

As the deadline approaches, there would be more clarity on the exact process flow including the redressal channel.

Once the process goes live, it is advisable for every mobile holder to make use of this facility atleast once every week.

This is best way to safeguard your Aadhaar number.

Would it be better to integrate this facility into ‘Mycall’ Trai App??

Additional Reading:

How to Check Aadhaar Authentication History Online

Aadhaar linking to bank accounts, welfare services may be extended beyond March 31

Regulatory policies must change to cater to digital world: Trai chief

   

The Aadhaar Digital Account-On the way

          By now majority of Indians are familiar with Aadhaar. Aadhaar has begun to permeate our daily life. In a typical day, we hear the word ‘Aadhaar’, at least once. The context may be financial or non-financial.

          As more and more sectors discover the benefits Aadhaar can provide to their daily routine, the word Aadhaar will be heard more and more.

          Not only in the Government sector but in the private sector numerous discussions are taking place on the immense possibilities of Aadhaar.

          In the next couple of years, Aadhaar Number Holders in India will be able to use Aadhaar for a number of non-financial authentication services.

         

Q: What is Aadhaar authentication?

Ans:Aadhaar authentication is the process wherein Aadhaar number, along with other attributes (demographic and/or biometrics and/or OTP) is submitted to UIDAI’s Central Identities Data Repository (CIDR) for verification; the CIDR verifies whether the data submitted matches the data available in CIDR and responds with a “yes/no”. No personal identity information is returned as part of the response.

Q: When do I need to authenticate?

Ans: Various service providers, such as PDS, NREGA, banks, are expected to link Aadhaar authentication to their services. Residents would need to authenticate either at the time of subscribing to the service or at the time of availing service delivery, as required by the service providers. This would benefit the residents as no one else can avail the benefits meant for a particular resident.

          Now, the most interesting part:::

Q: Is there a mechanism to notify the residents when an authentication occurs against their Aadhaar number?

Ans: UIDAI has an sms and email based notification mechanism. Through this mechanism, every time CIDR receives an authentication request against an Aadhaar number, a notification will be sent to the registered mobile / email address.

UIDAI will also provide a facility wherein residents can request the history of authentication requests for a specified period of time

Source: UIDAI Website

          The ANH need not be present at the authentication site, if the Biometric authentication method is not being used.

          The ANH may or may need not be present at the authentication site, if the OTP authentication method is being used. This is because the OTP will flow to the registered mobile number of the ANH and the mobile can be held by a non ANH too.

          The ANH need not be present at the authentication site, if the demographic authentication method is being used.

          Hence the need to quickly open up Aadhaar Digital Accounts. The ANHs need to have a record of all authentication requests on their Aadhaar Number. This ADA will act as an important verification mechanism in case of any disputes at a later date.

          It is expected that Aadhaar authentication services will be enabled only to registered agencies.       

Outline of ADA:-

01)  The Login ID would the Aadhaar Number itself.

02) Password can be static or dynamic. Static means the ANH will key in every time with his/her registered password. Dynamic means an OTP to the ANHs registered mobile in CIRD. For additional security the combination of static and dynamic too can be implemented.

03) All the authentications requests whether self-initiated or third-party initiated will be available.

04) The following data to be visible as part of the Authentication request:

A)   Mode

B)    Time

C)    Location

D)   Requestor

E)    Any other details as decided

05)  Print Option

06)  No Save option to external media

          

Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) issues 56 crore Aadhaar Numbers

                As on 14 January 2014, UIDAI has crossed the issuance of 56 crore Aadhaar Numbers. It is fast racing toward its target of 60 crore Aadhaar Numbers in the next couple of months.

                In the recent past, on an average 13-14 lac Aadhaar numbers are being generated every day.

                UIDAI which was born in January 2009, the UIDAI issued the first Aadhaar Number on 29th September 2010, after completing necessary preliminaries including establishing various standards relating to collection of data and biometric information such as finger prints and iris images.

 UIDAI issued 25 crore Aadhaar Numbers in the period up to December 2012 at an average rate of almost one crore Aadhaars per month. During 2013, UIDAI issued a total of 29.1 crore Aadhaars at an average rate of over 2.4 crore Aadhaars per month.

Aadhaar Numbers generated State Wise on 30/01/2014
State	Sum
Andaman and Nicobar Islands	66
Andhra Pradesh	87405
Arunachal Pradesh	309
Assam	278
Bihar	52172
Chandigarh	1226
Chhattisgarh	21412
Dadra and Nagar Haveli	1352
Daman and Diu	104
Delhi	15884
Goa	153
Gujarat	267826
Haryana	68299
Himachal Pradesh	4413
Jammu and Kashmir	16669
Jharkhand	44185
Karnataka	178977
Kerala	21501
Lakshadweep	10
Madhya Pradesh	152910
Maharashtra	254888
Manipur	2290
Meghalaya	34
Mizoram	2
Nagaland	165
Odisha	115813
Others	15022
Puducherry	668
Punjab	48271
Rajasthan	127936
Sikkim	165
Tamil Nadu	179931
Tripura	1059
Uttar Pradesh	206647
Uttarakhand	15166
West Bengal	257431
Grand Total	2160639

Trident Group employees need Aadhaar Numbers to receive Salary, not Bank Account Numbers

            Do not worry, Salary will not be disbursed in Cash. Going ahead, Trident Group employees need not submit their Bank Account numbers to their Accounts/HR Department to receive their Salaries and other monetary benefits.

            Submission of Aadhaar numbers will be sufficient to receive the salaries.

            In a first of its kind, Trident Group is the first corporate in our country to adopt Aadhaar payment bridge (APB), for disbursement of salaries.

            The soft launch of the project of the project was done recently in New Delhi by Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, and Nandan Nilekani, Chairman, Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). Rajinder Gupta, Chairman Trident Group was also present on the occasion

Trident Group is on the path of becoming one of the Largest Integrated Home Textile Manufacturing Facilities in the World.

The major benefits Trident Group foresee out of the Aadhaar numbers is in

·         saving verification cost

·         weed out fake data

APB facilitates seamless transfer of payments to Aadhaar Enabled Bank Account (AEBA). It is a payment gateway platform created by National Payments Corporation of India and is used by the government for direct transfer of certain government benefits.

Salary of employees of Trident Group has been transferred to their Aadhaar linked bank accounts leveraging Aadhaar Payment Bridge (APB).

Chairman Trident Group, Rajinder Gupta, informed that Trident has decided to link all their future recruitment with Aadhaar number for demographic verification.

Meanwhile Nandan Nilekani, chairman UIDAI welcoming Trident group in UIDAI ecosystem, congratulated the group for being the first corporate in the country to implement Aadhaar linked salary disbursal for its employees. This technology platform with advantage of de-duplication would be increasingly used by private sector and would create innovative applications for its use in more efficient manner.

Andhra Bank – Aadhaar Seeding – Ways and Means

            Apart from the usual Branch channel, Andhra Bank customers can seed their Bank Account with Aadhaar Number via the alternate channels mode.

The following channels are available to submit AADHAAR seeding request:

Internet Banking: This is available Only for Retail Internet Banking Customer’s.

• Customer has to login to Internet Banking using his/her User ID and Password.
• Click on the link in the home page “Registration of Aadhaar Number in Internet Banking “.
• Enter and confirm the 12 digit Aadhaar number in the respective fields.
• Select the Savings account for which Aadhaar number is to be linked.
• To know the status about Linking and Rejection of Aadhaar number click on "Inquiry"

Andhra Bank ATMs:

• Customer to inserts ATM/Debit card in any Andhra Bank ATM and selects AADHAAR registration option available under Services category.
• ATM will prompt the customer to enter AADHAAR number twice.
• On completion, customer will receive receipt of seeding the request.

Using SMS:

• This facility is enabled only for Andhra Bank customer’s registered for mobile alerts.
• Customer to send an SMS to the 56161 the AADHAAR request as per below format. The syntax for sending the SMS is given below :
• AADHAAR 15 digit Bank Account Number 12 digit AADHAAR Number where "AADHAAR" is the keyword for sending the message.

 On successful linking / delinking of AADHAAR number to the customer account though any channel, an SMS alert will be sent to the customer’s registered mobile number with the Bank.

It is to be noted that Aadhaar Seeding Request’s will be processed by Andhra Bank subject to satisfactory verification of AADHAAR credential.