Multi-Collect
Recurring Payments
Ledgers
Payment Gateway
Instant Payouts
Escrow Accounts
Settlr
KYC & Onboarding
Hyperstreams
Bytes
UIStreams
ScannerStep 1
Collect the users’ PAN details for authentication
Table of Contents
- What is CKYC?
- Features of CKYC
- CKYC Number
- Methodology
- Types of CKYC Accounts
- Decentro’s CKYC Services Stack
- Where You Can Use It
- Key Features Of CKYC
- How Can Decentro Help
- FAQs
What Is CKYC?
Central Know Your Customer (CKYC) is a centralised registry that stores and manages KYC (Know Your Customer) documents for individuals who use financial services. The Government of India introduced CKYC as a one-stop point for individuals’ KYC requirements. Further, CKYC falls under the Central Registry of Securitisation Asset Reconstruction and Security Interest; CERSAI manages the entire CKYC registry and can collect, secure, and digitally safeguard a user’s KYC details. The registry has since grown into one of the largest identity infrastructures in the country, with roughly 1.2 billion records on file. As of August 2026, it’s running on an upgraded CKYC 2.0 stack.
Features of CKYC
CKYC is a 14-digit number associated with the customer’s identification.
The information is securely saved in electronic form. The supplied document is then validated with the issuer.
If the KYC information changes, all relevant institutions are notified.
Under CKYC 2.0, every record also carries a confidence score, giving institutions a quick read on data reliability before they rely on a hit.
CKYC Number
For CKYC registration, a user or entity can visit any financial institution regulated by RBI, SEBI, or IRDA, to name a few. The user must submit documents for identity and address proof, such as PAN, Aadhaar Card, Passport, or Driving Licence, along with a filled-in CKYC form.Once verified, the user is allotted a 14-digit number known as the CKYC number, which is tied to the user and forms an ID for them. Using this CKYC number, they can access their details and also update them from time to time. This is then checked and verified by financial institutions during key.
Methodology
Step 2
Lookup in the CKYC database [CERSAI] for a match with PAN
Step 3
If you find a match, you get direct access to a user’s KYC details
CKYC 2.0: What's New
CKYC 2.0 began rolling out from August 2026, with adoption jointly driven by RBI, SEBI, and IRDAI. A few things are changing for businesses relying on the registry
Modern
Protocol
The registry moves from XML and digital signatures to REST/JSON with OAuth 2.0 and mTLS, making integrations faster to build and maintain.
Expanded Search
Modes
Photo-based, mobile-number, and Verifiable Credential (VC) search join the existing ID-based lookups.
Confidence
Scoring
Every record carries a machine-assessed confidence score to flag duplicate or incomplete data before institutions rely on it.
Tighter Compliance
Windows
PMLA rules now require record synchronisation within 7 days, and CERSAI has committed ₹161 crore to build out infrastructure sized for 40 lakh uploads a day.
CKYC 1.0 vs CKYC 2.0: What Actually Changes
Data Exchange
Batch PDF/XML uploads
Real-time, API-first architecture
Consent Model
Permission-on-file; records pulled with minimal friction
Transaction-level, OTP-based consent for every record retrieval
Search
ID-based only (PAN, Aadhaar last 4, Voter ID)
ID-based, plus photo, mobile-number, and Verifiable Credential search
Data Quality
Manual dedup, inconsistent formatting
AI-aligned deduplication, field-level validation, Aadhaar masking
Update Cadence
Loosely enforced
7-day synchronisation mandated under PMLA
Regulatory Owner
RBI-led
Joint mandate: RBI, SEBI, IRDAI
Throughput
Legacy 2016-era load assumptions
Built for 40 lakh+ uploads/day
Decentro is among the first TSPs with a production-ready CKYC 2.0 stack, covering Search, Download, Create, and Update on the new APIs.
Nexus Intelligence Active
Build your CKYC flow
in record time.
Describe your use case. Nexus tells you exactly which Decentro APIs to use — and how to connect them.
Powered by Nexus.decentro.tech
Types of CKYC Accounts
Normal
Account
Created with PAN, Aadhaar, Voter ID, Passport, Driving License, or NREGA job card as ID proof.
Simplified
Measures Account
Created with any other Officially Valid Document (OVD), prefixed with ‘L’ in the CKYC identifier.
Small
Account
Created with basic identifying details and a photograph, prefixed with ‘S’ in the CKYC identifier.
OTP-Based
eKYC Account
Created through OTP-based eKYC and a photograph, prefixed with ‘O’ in the CKYC identifier.
Decentro’s CKYC Services Stack
CKYC Search
CKYC Search API can enable financial institutions to search through the Central KYC Registry (CKYCR) records, seamlessly accessing essential customer information. By leveraging this feature, institutions can expedite customer onboarding processes while minimising duplication efforts and enhancing operational efficiency. On CKYC 2.0, this extends to photo-based, mobile-number, and VC search alongside the existing ID-based lookups.
CKYC Download
The CKYC Download API allows institutions to quickly access verified customer records for individuals and entities, streamlining risk assessment and compliance. It enables informed decision-making and easy regulatory adherence. On CKYC 2.0, downloads are backed by a structured OTP consent flow and a per-record confidence score.
CKYC Upload for Individuals
The CKYC Upload API streamlines KYC onboarding by securely uploading customer data to CKYCR. It automates data submission, boosting efficiency, minimising errors, and allowing institutions to focus on customer experience.
CKYC Upload for Legal Entities
Streamline KYC compliance for legal entities with Decentro’s CKYC Upload API. This feature enables seamless submission of corporate KYC data to the CKYCR, ensuring regulatory compliance and expediting onboarding. CKYC Services revolutionise KYC processes, providing a robust solution for financial institutions to manage customer data and compliance efficiently.
Where You Can Use It
Financial
Institutions
For onboarding new customers, verifying identities, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
Banks
To update and maintain accurate customer records and streamline KYC processes.
Insurance
Companies
To validate customer information and manage policyholders’ records.
Lending
Platforms
These are used to verify the identity of borrowers and assess risk.
Investment
Firms
To ensure compliance with Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations and maintain accurate investor records.
Government
Agencies
Access and verify personal data for various services and benefits.
Key Features Of CKYC
Secure Data
Transmission
Ensures that KYC data is transmitted securely to CKYCR.
Automated
Data Entry
Reduces manual data entry and associated errors.
Real-Time
Processing
Updates records quickly and accurately.
Real-Time
Updates
Reflects the most current information available.
Instant
Access
Retrieve customer records or data quickly.
Verified
Data
Provides access to up-to-date, verified KYC information, including CKYC 2.0’s record-level confidence score.
Ease of
Integration
Compatible with existing systems for seamless data handling.
Regulatory
Compliance
Ensures that downloaded data adheres to legal and compliance standards, including the current PMLA 7-day synchronisation requirement.
CKYC For Your Business - How Can Decentro Help
Decentro’s API banking platform has AI-powered CKYC APIs to help businesses like yours speed up customer onboarding time by 95% and provide a seamless experience to your customers, partners, and vendors!
Why CKYC for your business?
Smoothen customer, partner, or vendor onboarding process.
With a single CKYC API hit, you can access all critical documents required from your customers after taking their consent.
Get seamless access to necessary information. Ergo, you can provide a much better experience for your customers.
Avoid the hassle of mandating offline KYC from your customers. CKYC is already OSV.
Reduce overhead expenditures significantly for user verification with a minimal cost for each CKYC API hit.
For Developers
Access our Product Guide
Simple & Automated APIs To Help You Launch 10X Faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of CKYC?
CKYC was introduced to ease the KYC process by,
Reducing time taken for KYC
Unifying KYC across Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI)
One customer, one KYC verification
Increased KYC usability
Single updation
Optimized costs for Financial Institutions
What are the critical documents for CKYC?
What is the difference between eKYC and CKYC?
How can I check a CKYC number?
Is CKYC Mandatory?
You might also like
UPI ID Verification
Ensure a secure digital transaction by validating and verifying the UPI address.
Bank Account Validation API
Initiate instant bank account verification through account numbers validation (and other details)