Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: To make the eKYC process easier for ration card holders, the central government has launched a new digital method called Face eKYC, allowing people to complete the verification from home using their smartphones. This initiative is aimed at helping those who are unable to visit fair price shops (FPS) or be present during home visits by government officials.
According to the Department of Civil Supplies, a large number of eKYC updates are still pending. Although the previous deadline was set for April 30, no new extension has been officially announced. In the past, government staff visited homes to assist senior citizens with eKYC, but many working individuals could not be home during those visits or manage a trip to the FPS.
To resolve this issue, the government has launched an Android mobile application called Mera KYC, which enables users to complete the face-based eKYC process with just a smartphone. The app, already being used successfully by ration cardholders in Goa, is available in states that support facial authentication through the SUB AUA (Authentication User Agency) system and is connected to UIDAI’s Facial Registered Device services.
Facial authentication verifies the individual’s identity by matching their live face with the one stored in government records. This method is different from general facial recognition, as it does not scan crowds but confirms the identity of a specific person.
The app uses advanced technology to detect facial features even in poor lighting and converts them into a secure digital faceprint for verification. The entire process is quick, hygienic, and completed in under two seconds, with all data encrypted for privacy protection.
Officials noted that the new system ensures greater accessibility and convenience, aiming to prevent any eligible ration cardholder from being excluded from the Public Distribution System due to personal or technical limitations.
