Central KYC (CKYC) is a government-led initiative in India, controlled by the Central Registry of Securitisation Asset Reconstruction and Security Interest of India (CERSAI). Its main objective is to bring KYC information into one central repository to maintain uniformity, minimize redundancy, and increase transparency throughout the financial system.
All customers who go through the CKYC process are given a special 14-digit KYC Identifier (KIN) that financial institutions can access without repeating KYC processes with different organizations.
What is the Difference Between eKYC and CKYC? Although CKYC and eKYC both intend to authenticate customer identity, they have a huge difference when it comes to their implementation, regulation, and applications. Following are the major differences:
CKYC is governed by the Central Registry (CERSAI) under government mandate.
eKYC is conducted by individual banks, NBFCs, or service providers using Aadhaar-based systems.
CKYC stores customer KYC data in a centralized repository, accessible across all financial institutions.
eKYC data remains with the organization that initiated the KYC process and is not shared centrally.
CKYCtypically involves assisted onboarding, requiring document submission and validation by agents or platforms.
eKYC supports self-service onboarding, allowing customers for completing the process online without any human intervention.
CKYC uses document uploads, in-house validations, and sometimes physical verification
eKYC leverages Aadhaar OTP, biometric authentication, and real-time document checks.
CKYC provides a KYC Identifier (KIN) that can be reused across all participating financial entities.
eKYC data is usually not reusable across institutions
CKYC is ideal for regulatory compliance, traditional banking workflows, and long-term customer management.
eKYC is best suited for quick, remote onboarding and digital-first customer acquisition.
CKYC is designed to meet regulatory mandates across the Indian financial ecosystem.
eKYC is aimed at convenience, speed, and simplified customer verification.
Here’s a step-by-step guide about CKYC workflow:Data is collected via online or in-branch channels.
1. Customer Onboarding: Data is collected via online or in-branch channels.
2. Document Collection: Customers submit ID/address proof documents.
3.Data Extraction & Verification: OCR or manual entry of KYC details.
4.Image Compression: Compressed as per CERSAI’s specifications (handled by Pixl’s automation).
5.Upload to CERSAI: Final files are sent to the CKYC registry via secure API/SFTP.
6.KYC Identifier (KIN) Issued: On successful verification, the KIN is generated.
Pixl's CKYC API Software simplifies this entire lifecycle from data capture and compression to CERSAI upload while ensuring real time accuracy and compliance.
Here’s a step-by-step guide about eKYC workflow:
The eKYC process begins when a user initiates verification through a website or mobile app by entering basic details such as their name, date of birth, and mobile number.
Next, the user uploads or shares identification documents (e.g., Aadhaar, PAN) for authentication and record purposes.
To confirm identity, the user’s biometric data such as facial recognition, fingerprint, or voice—is matched against official government databases.
Once the biometric and document checks are successful, the eKYC process is completed and the user is successfully onboarded. In case of a mismatch or failure, the user may be prompted for additional information or redirected to a Full KYC process.
CKYC recognizes four main account types, each suited to specific scenarios:
1 .Normal Account:For customers submitting full KYC documents.
2.Simplified Measures Account:For customers with limited documentation
3.Small Account:Basic accounts with transaction limits and minimal documentation.
4.OTP-Based eKYC Account:Aadhaar OTP-verified accounts with limits on usage and validity.
At Pixl.ai, we offer a plug-and-play CKYC API that works across mobile, desktop, and web platforms. Here’s how we simplify your CKYC journey:
.Easy Integration: Whether you use on-premise or cloud systems, integration is getting seamless.
.Real-Time Verification: Instantly validate customer data before uploading.
.AI-Powered Automation: Our OCR and AI modules extract, validate, and prepare documents for CKYC upload automatically.
.In-House Validations: Avoid unnecessary rejections by validating data and format pre-upload.
.Duplicate Detection: Get prompt alerts on potential duplicate customers.
Recognizing the difference between CKYC and eKYC is critical to any financial institution that wants to maximize customer onboarding. Where CKYC compiles data for regulatory purposes, eKYC speeds up the verification process electronically. With Pixl's robust set of CKYC and eKYC offerings, you have the advantage of both worlds—automation, compliance, and speed.
Q1: Is CKYC compulsory for all financial institutions?
Yes, entities regulated in India are required to upload KYC data to CKYC under guidelines issued by SEBI, RBI, IRDAI, and PFRDA.
Q2: Can a customer reuse CKYC across institutions?
Yes. After the generation of a KIN, it can be used across any financial institution that is CKYC compliant.
Q3: What if a customer already has a KYC record?
Using Pixl's duplicate detection, you’ll be alerted instantly, preventing redundant uploads and compliance issues.
Q4: What’s the benefit of eKYC over CKYC?
eKYC enables faster, remote onboarding without needing physical documentation, making it ideal for mobile-first operations.
Q5: How secure is the data in Pixl's CKYC & eKYC platforms?
Our systems use end-to-end encryption, secure SFTP channels, and role-based access control to protect sensitive information.
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