The quest for Identity

I’ve lived, studied, worked and travelled to five of the continents so far (Oceania, I’m coming for you soon). I now live in Mumbai — the financial capital of India. Every time I’ve moved, I’ve had to recreate my identity for the benefit of each country’s government authorities. It’s quite impressive to witness an ageing bureaucrat try to come to terms with one’s permanent semi-nomadic status.

Black mirror, anyone?

India doesn’t have a Paperwork Reduction Act like the United States yet and you’ll see its effects when you try to get most things done here. Be prepared to be asked for photocopies of documents, passport-sized photographs and attestations for even the most trivial services.

On the other hand, the situation has improved drastically in the last half decade or so with attestations from gazetted officers or notaries no longer being required. In many respects, the introduction of Aadhar, e-KYC* and Digilocker has actually made the process of identification even simpler than in the West. So, with that out of the way, let’s talk about the various forms of ID you will need:

1. Aadhar: This is the big daddy of ID in India. Whether you think it is a massive invasion of your privacy or not, the truth is having an Aadhar will make your life a lot simpler. If you’re planning to live in India for a while, I would highly recommend getting the Aadhaar first.

The process and list of documents can be found through a quick search, so I’ll just list a few tips:

• Any resident of India can apply for an Aadhaar (not just citizens), despite what someone at an enrollment centre might claim. If you’re not making any headway at an enrollment centre, insist you speak to a higher official (they’re usually at a desk in the back), try another enrollment centre, or call the Aadhaar helpline (last resort).
• Go to a bank that offers enrollment services instead of the general centres. They are much less crowded, and if you intend to open an account at the bank, you’ll be treated to a bit more hospitality :)
• Try to make sure that your mobile number is linked with your Aadhaar. This will let you make any changes (to your address, mobile number etc.) online instead of having to show up in person.

2. PAN card: You will need a PAN card to file taxes in India (yes, you have to file your taxes as long as you’re a resident in India, even if you’re a foreign citizen) and to perform certain high-value transactions in India. The process is either entirely (if you authenticate via Aadhaar) or mostly online and almost entirely painless. Again, instructions are available online.

3. Mobile phone: You might be wondering why your trusty electronic communication instrument is in a list of identity documents. However, with the increase in digital payments and electronic authentication services in India, the word OTP (One-time password) has passed into popular jargon.

Like it or not, your mobile phone is likely to serve as a key piece of your identity puzzle since an OTP is required to perform things like online banking transactions using credit or debit cards, log in to various websites and to authenticate your Aadhaar transactions.

Tips:

• Try to get a mobile phone number as soon as your arrive in India. You should be able to get a pre-paid SIM card at the airport using your passport and visa only. Rates for mobile data in India are ridiculously cheap and will help you immensely during your first few days in India. If you have an Aadhaar, you won’t need anything other than your bio-metric information to get a connection using the e-KYC process*.
• Don’t worry about what mobile operator you sign up with initially since you will be able to change the operator and keep your number using Mobile Number Portability.
• Think very carefully about switching numbers. Often the only alternative to receiving an OTP on your old mobile number is to show up at a government office armed with a truckload of documents. For certain things, I still haven’t figured out how to change my registered mobile number (IRCTC I’m looking at you).
• Learn more in my post on keeping in touch.

4. Driving license: The norms for driving licenses differ according to the state you are in, but generally you have to show up to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for your region, submit your documents, take a written test and undergo a driving test. Getting a driving license is stereotypically one of the least pleasant experiences any country can offer (this seems to cut across countries), and India usually does not disappoint.

Tips:

• Expect to be assaulted by crowds, touts and unfriendly officials.
• Expect to spend at least one entire day at the DMV. Possibly a couple of visits.
• I would recommend you apply for a driving license at least a month after you arrive so you have a chance to get your bearings.
• Do try to not give in to the touts even if it does increase the time you have to spend at the DMV.

5. Proof of address: The standards of proof of address vary widely. Usually your Aadhaar card is sufficient. For other purposes, a utility bill, bank statement or passport also works. The most stringent requirements usually require a lease agreement if you’re renting or property deed.

Tips:

• In general, if you’re renting and expect to move about every year or so, it might be more convenient to have banking and other services tied to your office address or to your permanent address (parents houses are very useful for this purpose). Usually, you will need an authorisation letter from your employer allowing for this.
• Get your rental agreement registered even if not required to. Unregistered agreements are not accepted as valid proof of address for some purposes.

General Tips:

• If you do not have a required document, speak to a representative to see how you can fulfil the requirements within the constraints of your situation. Flexibility is one of the benefits of living in India!
• A lot of identity documents suffer from a chicken-and-egg problem. How does one get an Aadhaar if one doesn’t have a proof of address (staying in temporary accommodation)? How do you register a rental agreement if you do not have any other proof of identification? The trick is to iteratively grow one’s base of identification documents: start with passport or birth certificate, get a mobile phone connection next, bank account with a letter of introduction from your employer and so on.
• Sometimes a letter of introduction from a gazetted officer or your employer may serve as a proof of identification.
• Always have a bunch of colour passport-sized photos of yourself on you.
• It’s also helpful to have copies of your Aadhaar, PAN card and Driving license on your mobile phone.
• Personal connections go a long way in India. Ask your friends, colleagues or acquaintances about the documentation process and if they have any tips.

Getting your ID sorted might be a little stressful in the beginning but it is generally a one-time process and makes future transactions a breeze. Remember, India is generally quite flexible in terms of requirements and most people are willing to work with you to get your job done (especially if you’re going to be a paying customer).

And now that you have all your IDs sorted, time to look at some banking options. You can also check out the full series here.

*The legal status of the e-KYC is a little iffy with the recent Supreme Court judgement on the validity of Aadhar so do try to figure out the latest status through the news.

Disclaimer: These are my subjective anecdotal experiences with services in Mumbai. All opinions are my own and are not intended to be authoritative descriptions of the services provided. Please do your own research before availing services described here.