Central KYC (CKYC) Guide: Step-by-Step Process to Register & Find Your CKYC Number

If you’ve ever opened a bank account, bought insurance, or invested in a mutual fund, you’ve probably had to fill out a KYC form — often more than once. It can be tiring to submit the same ID proofs again and again at different places. That’s exactly the problem the Central Know Your Customer (CKYC) system aims to solve.

CKYC is India’s one-time KYC solution that allows you to complete your verification just once and use it across banks, insurance providers, NBFCs, and investment platforms. Think of it as a universal identity record for your financial dealings. Once registered, you receive a unique 14-digit CKYC number that links to all your verified details.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through what CKYC is, how it works, how to register, how to find your CKYC number.

What is CKYC and Why It Was Introduced?

CKYC, short for Central Know Your Customer, is a centralised KYC database maintained by CERSAI (Central Registry of Securitisation Asset Reconstruction and Security Interest of India). It was introduced by the Government of India and the Ministry of Finance to make financial verification easier and more secure.

Before CKYC, each financial institution, like your bank, insurance company, or mutual fund, had to conduct its own KYC process. This meant multiple submissions of the same documents and higher chances of errors or data mismatches. CKYC eliminates that repetition.

Once your CKYC record is created, it’s stored in a secure central system. Any bank, NBFC, or investment firm you approach later can instantly access this verified information — with your consent. The result: faster onboarding, less paperwork, and stronger compliance with RBI, SEBI, and IRDAI regulations aimed at preventing fraud and money laundering.

How CKYC (Central Know Your Customer ) Works

CKYC works like a digital locker that securely stores your verified identity details. When you complete KYC at any authorised financial institution for the first time, your information is uploaded to the Central KYC Registry (CKYCR) managed by CERSAI.

You’re then assigned a 14-digit CKYC number, also known as a KYC Identifier Number (KIN). This number is unique to you and linked to your PAN and other ID proofs. Whenever you open a new savings account or start an investment, instead of resubmitting documents, you can simply share your CKYC number. The new institution can fetch your verified details directly from the registry, only after confirming your consent.

This system not only saves time but also keeps your information consistent across all platforms. Any updates — such as a new address or name change — get reflected automatically once updated in the CKYC database.

What are the Documents Required for CKYC

The documentation process for CKYC is simple and similar to a standard KYC. You’ll typically need:

• Proof of Identity (POI): PAN card, Aadhaar card, Passport, Voter ID, or Driving Licence
• Proof of Address (POA): Aadhaar, Passport, Driving Licence, or Utility Bill (not older than 2 months)
• Photograph: One recent passport-size photo
• Optional: Proof of date of birth, if not mentioned in your ID document

Tip: Always sign or self-attest the copies before submission. For online applications, verification happens through OTP or video KYC.

Option 1: Ask your financial provider directly

If your bank or investment house helped you complete KYC earlier, contact their branch or customer care and request your CKYC number. They can access it from the CERSAI database.

Option 2: Through investment platforms

Several platforms like CAMS or KFintech also offer online CKYC look-up services for mutual fund investors.

Tip: Keep your CKYC number stored securely in your personal records for future use.

How to Update or Modify CKYC Details

Whether it’s a new address, phone number, or surname change after marriage, you can easily update your CKYC record.

How to update:

• Visit any participating financial institution
• Fill out the CKYC modification form and attach updated proof (for example, a new Aadhaar or address proof)
• The institution verifies and uploads the revised data to CERSAI

Once updated, the change automatically reflects across all institutions linked to your CKYC profile

How to Fix CKYC Issues

1. Can’t find your CKYC number online?

Check for spelling mistakes or use your registered mobile number. If it still doesn’t show, contact your bank to retrieve it.

2. Duplicate CKYC records

If more than one CKYC ID exists for you, banks can request CERSAI to merge them after verification.

3. Wrong or outdated details

Submit updated documents at any participating institution. The corrected data will replace the old one in the registry.

4. Old KYC not appearing

Older KYCs (before 2017) might not have been migrated. Ask your provider to upload your details again to generate a CKYC number.

5. No confirmation received

If you didn’t get an SMS or email after applying, wait a few days and then check online—sometimes updates take a short while to reflect.

What are the Recent CKYC Updates

The CKYC system has continued to evolve to make financial onboarding smoother and safer. Some of the key changes and regulations introduced recently include:

• 7-day upload rule: Financial institutions must now upload a customer’s KYC information to the CKYC registry within seven days of verification
• No repeated document submission: Once your CKYC is registered, you cannot be asked to provide the same KYC documents again unless details have changed
• Increased use of digital CKYC: More banks and NBFCs now support paperless onboarding through Aadhaar OTP and video KYC verification
• Data security focus: CERSAI has introduced stronger encryption standards and audit trails to protect customer information
• Unified verification across regulators: RBI, SEBI, IRDAI, and PFRDA are coordinating to ensure one CKYC record is valid for all financial products

These updates make CKYC not just a convenience, but a long-term part of India’s financial infrastructure.

Penalties and Consequences of Non-Disclosure of KYC

CKYC is a mandatory compliance framework under Indian financial law. While not having CKYC won’t immediately penalize you, providing false or incomplete information during KYC can lead to serious consequences.

1. Account Freeze: Banks or mutual funds can suspend transactions until valid KYC details are submitted
2. Delayed Processing: Loans, insurance claims, or investment redemptions may be held until verification is complete
3. Regulatory Action: Providing fake or mismatched documents can result in financial penalties under Prevention of Money Laundering (PMLA) guidelines
4. Data Mismatch Issues: Multiple unverified accounts may flag your PAN under risk monitoring, leading to extra scrutiny
5. Future Re-verification: If your CKYC is inactive for long or flagged for inconsistency, you may be asked to re-submit updated documents

Tip: Keep your CKYC up to date and ensure all submitted information — especially PAN, Aadhaar, and address — matches across institutions.