Synopsis: The Department of Posts has launched the Aadhaar-based biometric authentication facility at Branch Post Offices across India effective 22 June 2026, which will allow eligible users to make cash deposits and withdrawals without a physical document. The move will also enable inter-branch transactions and would make postal savings more convenient and paperless.
As a part of the modernisation of Postal Banking Services, the Department of Posts has rolled out Aadhaar based e-KYC-enabled transactions at Branch Post Offices (BOs) across India. The new framework will enable customers of Post Office Savings Accounts (POSA), Recurring Deposit (RD) and Sukanya Samriddhi Accounts (SSY) to complete a subset of transactions without needing to present pay-in slips or withdrawal forms and enhance the convenience of their transactions. The initiative is a step towards India Post’s push towards digitization of its savings business and enhancing financial inclusion.
What Has Changed?
The new rules introduce Aadhaar-based biometric authentication for select transactions at branch post offices. These transactions are carried out through the DREAM (Digital Rural Enterprise Application for Mobiles) app, which is used by branch post office staff to process Aadhaar-authenticated transactions. The key changes include:
- Deposits up to ₹50,000 in POSA, RD and SSY accounts without a pay-in slip.
- Withdrawals up to ₹20,000 from Post Office Savings Accounts without a withdrawal form.
- Aadhaar-authenticated inter-branch transactions.
- Conversion of existing customer records into Aadhaar e-KYC-based customer profiles.
New Post Office Transaction Limits
Source: Department of Posts, SB Order No. 06/2026 dated June 22, 2026
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What It Means for Customers:
The new initiative is to make transactions easier at branch post offices where paperwork is declining. Customers who have Aadhaar-linked postal savings accounts can now make select deposit and withdrawal transactions through biometric verification without filling physical forms.
One of the most important features of the system is the ability to conduct inter-branch transactions. Earlier, customers were largely confined to their home branch for transactions. The Aadhaar authentication will now give flexibility and ease of inter-branch transactions across post offices. It is important to note that non-Aadhaar authenticated transactions will continue to work only at the home branch where the account is held. Inter-branch access is available exclusively for Aadhaar-authenticated transactions.
The facility is open to single account holders who are Aadhaar-linked and converted to an e-KYC-enabled customer profile. Customers whose Aadhaar data cannot be fully fetched from UIDAI’s CIDR database during conversion will not be eligible for e-KYC CIF conversion and must update their Aadhaar details before they can use Aadhaar-authenticated transactions. Until then, they may continue with paper-based transactions at their home branch.
Customers must also ensure their mobile number is linked with their POSB account, as from 1 September 2026, transactions through the DREAM app will not be permitted in accounts without a linked mobile number.The decision is likely to benefit customers in rural and semi-urban areas where branch post offices are a major source of financial services. India Post takes another step toward a more customer-friendly and efficient savings network through paperless transactions and inter-branch services.
