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BHIM Aadhaar FAQs

Common FAQs
What is BHIM Aadhaar?

BHIM Aadhaar is the common mobile app published and managed by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) for any merchant associated with any acquiring bank on BHIM Aadhaar Pay service to allow the merchant to accept payment from a customer of any bank by authenticating the customer’s biometrics (currently only fingerprints)directly from customer’s bank account and receive the sale proceeds instantaneously into merchant’s own bank account. To be able to effect the same, merchant must have an Android mobile with the BHIM Aadhaar app and a certified biometric scanner attached with the mobile phone on the USB port and both the merchant and customer should have had linked their Aadhaar numbers to their bank accounts respectively.

What is BHIM Aadhaar SBI or BHIM Aadhaar Axis or BHIM Aadhaar?

NPCI’s common app “BHIM Aadhaar” is optional for acquiring banks. They may have their own version developed and maintained, which are labelled “BHIM Aadhaar ”. The user must verify the app publisher’s name before installing the app else the merchant may end up revealing sensitive information or even lose money. The same caution must be exercised for the common BHIM Aadhaar app, which is published by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).

What is BHIM Aadhaar Pay Service?

BHIM Aadhaar Pay Service is the back-end payment service network comprising of merchant’s acquiring bank, customer’s issuer bank and the interbank settlement agency NPCI. Thus, in effect when a customer of SBI tries to transact with a PNB merchant it flows via the BHIM Aadhaar Pay service run by NPCI on which both these banks are certified and live. NPCI also runs Dispute Management Services for the member banks for BHIM Aadhaar Pay service.

Is BHIM Aadhaar available for all handsets and Operating Systems?

Currently BHIM Aadhaar is only available on Android 4.4.2 (JellyBean) or above with a USB port and should work on all devices complying with OS specified. Please note that “rooted” phones are excluded i.e. the app will not work on rooted phones.

Can the transactions be done on a feature phone?

No. Transactions can only be done on a smart phone OR in case of bank custom BHIM Aadhaar app, on a device as specified by your acquiring bank with a certified biometric scanner attached.

Is there any limit on the value of transactions in BHIM Aadhaar?

The current limit is Rs 10,000/- per transaction, however this will be reviewed and changed from time to time.

In how many languages is BHIM Aadhaar available?

Currently BHIM Aadhaar is only available in English. More languages will be enabled soon.

Can I use BHIM Aadhaar outside India?

No, currently the BHIM Aadhaar Pay service is available only in India

What are the charges levied for using BHIM Aadhaar?

NPCI does not charge any merchant or customer for transacting on BHIM Aadhaar. Kindly check with your respective banks for charges that may be levied by them.

Does BHIM Aadhaar work without internet?

No, you need a stable internet connection to login and transact with the customer.

What are the timings for using BHIM Aadhaar?

BHIM Aadhaar Pay service is available round the clock i.e. 24x7.

How do I use BHIM Aadhaar if my bank is not live on BHIM Aadhaar Pay service?

BHIM Aadhaar will work only with banks that are live on BHIM Aadhaar Pay service. You can select from the listed bank after opening an account with that bank.

Who can use BHIM Aadhaar?

Any sole-proprietor merchant can use it for submitting interest to his/ her choice of bank and subsequent to completing the on-boarding pre-requisites, as mandated by the acquirer bank, merchant may use this service for accepting payment from customers.

FAQs for Customers
Who can use BHIM Aadhaar to make payments to participating merchants?

Any resident of India holding a valid Aadhaar number and having an Aadhaar linked bank account may use BHIM Aadhaar for purchasing goods/services at merchant locations offering such services.

Can the transactions be done with a debit/ credit card?

No, these are Card Not Present transactions i.e. transactions can be performed without having any card. How? Customer would need to select bank name, provide his/ her Aadhaar number, enter amount and provide his biometric data for initiating the transaction. If the biometric authentication is successful and there is sufficient balance then the transaction would go through successfully. Aadhaar number may be scanned from the Aadhaar Card, if the customer is carrying the same. This will ease the entry of 12 digit Aadhaar number and avoid potential mistakes.

Does the customer need to carry Aadhaar Card for transacting?

Carrying Aadhaar card is not mandatory. But, linking Aadhaar Number with Bank account is a pre-requisite.

Does the customer specifically need to register to be able to transact through BHIM Aadhaar?

Ideally No, but linking Aadhaar Number with Bank account is a pre-requisite. However, registration process shall be as per the procedures laid down by the Issuer bank providing the service. Please check from the bank where you hold the Aadhaar linked bank account.

What happens if a customer enters an incorrect Aadhaar Number or chooses a Bank where he doesn’t have an account?

If the customer enters incorrect Aadhaar number/ selects an incorrect bank where he/ she does not have an Aadhaar linked bank account, the transaction will decline with an appropriate response message. Further, as a customer may link his/ her Aadhaar with multiple banks, customer should select the correct bank, from where he wishes to make payment. In case, customer has more than one account with the selected bank then only the primary account will be debited and customer cannot make a selection of bank account at the time of transaction.

How will the customer know that the transaction has been completed successfully?

The status of the transaction will be available on the merchant’s mobile primarily. The customer will also receive an SMS from his/her Bank if registered for mobile alerts.

How can the customer raise a dispute?

The customer can raise a dispute/compliant with the bank they hold the account with. Bank will further raise it with the concerned bank via NPCI’s Dispute Management System.

FAQs for Merchants
I am a new merchant, how do I get on-boarded and start accepting payments on BHIM Aadhaar?

Please follow the steps below:

  • Download the BHIM Aadhaar app, published by NPCI, from Google Play Store.
  • Open the app, if the app prompts to allow various permissions, please “allow” all permissions including location/ GPS information.
  • Choose “New Merchant” and go through the list of banks to ensure your bank, where you hold the account is listed. If your bank is not listed then open a new account with any of the listed banks first then reattempt this step.
  • Provide basic details that are asked, like – Name, mobile number, Bank, account number, etc & submit. This request will be received by the bank selected, which will complete the onboarding activities offline over the next few days.
  • Bank after due diligence will send out an activation message. Please follow instructions provided in the activation message to activate the app. Before starting this step you should have the biometric reader with you.
  • If app is successfully activated, then you are ready to login using your Aadhaar number and start accepting payments from customer basis their Aadhaar number.
Can a merchant on-board with more than one bank?

Yes, if he has a compelling reason/ need to on-board with multiple banks. Normally, this is not needed and may be avoided.

Who will provide the biometric scanner?

This may vary from acquirer bank to acquirer bank. Some acquirer bank may provide the same to the merchant or some may ask to procure from the certified list of scanner directly from the market. Hence, please check with the bank of your choice.

How does BHIM Aadhaar verify my mobile number?

Currently, while new merchant registration, this is basis an OTP verification sent out to the mobile number specified. This may change to app initiated outgoing encrypted SMS, which will happen in a transparent manner with no interaction with the user.

What if I get Device Binding Failed?

Device binding failure may occur due to the following reasons:

  • App is unable to send SMS (*Note: Jio sim will not work as it does not have outbound SMS support)
  • Network connection is poor
  • Older version of the app (ensure you have the latest from Google Play Store)
I am an existing merchant, the app does not prompt me any PIN for opening the app. Why?

Access to the application feature are post successful Aadhaar Authentication only. Hence, a separate PIN/ password is not useful particularly.

I have multiple accounts linked to my Aadhaar number in my bank. How can I specify the account number in which I want to receive payments?

It will work with only the primary account associated with the Aadhaar. Please get in touch with your bank to specify the primary account.

I have multiple accounts linked to my mobile number. How can I specify the account number in which I want to receive payments?

This is not relevant for transacting on BHIM Aadhaar but please note that the bank’s SMS update will be received on the linked mobile number.

I have two accounts with my bank and I have registered using one of them on BHIM Aadhaar. Can I transfer money to the other account using BHIM Aadhaar?

Yes, but not from within BHIM Aadhaar app. This may be done from bank’s other channel like web banking, mobile banking or branch counter.

What is required to be input on BHIM Aadhaar to accept payment from customer?

Merchant must enter customer’s bank, Aadhaar number, amount and fingerprint to initiate the transaction.

I need to annul or cancel the last transaction completely. How do I do it?

Cancelling a transaction is called Void transaction, currently the same is not supported. It will be introduced soon. Till such time, Merchant may use alternate channels to remit money to the customer electronically or pay equivalent cash.

If a customer has multiple accounts linked to his Aadhaar number, which account will be debited for making the payment?

Primary account associated with Aadhaar.

How do I check the status of the last or previous transactions?

Please check transaction history. Currently, the app shows today’s transactions only but it may support last 7 days transactions in future.

Can I save details of my favourite or regular customers?

There is no such feature and as merchant payments are generally not recurring in nature.

BHIM Aadhaar app shows status of last transaction as “pending” but I have received message of successful credit of the transaction value. What should I do?

Such transactions are successful but you can call your bank helpdesk and be sure before honoring the transaction and render goods or services to the customer.

Whom should I contact if I have issues with accepting payments?

Please get in touch with your acquiring bank helpdesk.

I have other issues with the app. What should I do?

Use the “Report Bug” link and write a short note without deleting additional report attached by the app.

How can the merchant raise a dispute?

The merchant should raise a dispute/complaint with the acquirer bank, where the merchant has the account. Acquirer Bank will further raise it with the concerned Bank via NPCI’s Dispute Management System.