What is AePS Cash Withdrawal? How Does AePS Work?

Over the past ten years, India's digital ecosystem has experienced a notable transformation. The country has seen an unparalleled increase in digital transactions since the introduction of digital payment channels, such as UPI, IMPS, and internet banking. However, a particular demographic, the middle-aged to senior citizens residing in rural or remote areas, was not making the most of this ecosystem in spite of significant developments in the banking sector. Hence, the government introduced the Aadhaar Enabled Payment System or AePS transaction to close this gap and provide access to basic financial services in places with few bank branches and access to ATMs.

 

AePS: What is it?

 

The acronym AePS stands for Aadhaar Enabled Payment System. AePS was created to enable users to access banking services using their Aadhaar number linked with their bank. This payment mechanism, which is sponsored by the National Payments Corporation of India, has proven successful in enabling consumers to access banking services without physically going to a bank or ATM. Aadhaar-enabled Payment System provides the residents of rural, underbanked, and unbanked areas an opportunity to enjoy financial inclusion along with mainstream India.

 

With AePS, users can use their Aadhaar number to withdraw money from their bank accounts. Aadhaar card is also referred to as an Aadhaar ATM card since it functions as a debit card in AePS transactions. There are basic banking services that one can avail through Micro ATMs, such as cash withdrawal, cash deposit, balance inquiry, and mini statement Without requiring a conventional bank account, debit card, or ATM, AePS offers a quick and safe alternative for users to access basic financial services.

 

How does AePS operate?

 

Here are the steps in which AePS transaction works –

 

1. First of all, a user needs to ensure that they have their Aadhaar number connected to their bank account in order to use AePS. The user can utilise AePS to conduct a range of financial operations, such as cash withdrawal, balance inquiry, mini statement, and cash deposit, when the Aadhaar number has been connected to the bank account.


2. A person who has an Aadhaar linked to a bank goes to the local AePS Service Provider and chooses the banking service they want to use.


3. After entering the customer's Aadhaar number and bank name, the AePS Service Provider initiates the process.


4. AePS transaction verifies the user's identification and grants access to their bank account using their Aadhaar number. For biometric authentication, the user must then place their finger on the fingerprint scanner to verify their identification. The requested AePS transaction is then completed by the AePS Service Provider after connecting to the user's bank account.


5. Ultimately, the recipient receives an AePS cash withdrawal message and a printed receipt of the transaction is sent to the customer as a record of the transaction.

 

Conclusion

 

AePS is one of the fastest growing and adopted technologies in India. Though the users need to be cautious about fraud risks, the AePS ecosystem can reduce them by putting in place strong security measures, such as biometric authentication and pin verification. It is essential to promote financial inclusion and update the digital payment environment in India. If you want to launch an AePS transaction business from your store or other comfortable location, Religare can help you become a ‘one-stop shop’ for customers in need of banking solutions.