Mastering India’s Identity Verification: A Merchant's Guide with Shufti
Select an additional country
Thank you for submitting
We have sent you an email to download our Top 10 Most Difficult Countries for Identity Verification Report.
Got it Resend EmailUnderstanding the Challenges of Indian Identity Documents
Effective identity verification in India requires a comprehensive approach due to the distinct characteristics and complexities of Indian identity documents. Shufti’s OCR and verification technology is specifically designed to address these challenges and provide accurate, efficient, and reliable identity verification solutions.
In this section, we will discuss the various challenges associated with verifying Indian identity documents, highlighting how our technology overcomes these hurdles to ensure seamless verification.
1. Linguistic Diversity
Indian identity documents incorporate a variety of writing systems, including Devanagari, Sanskrit, Tamil, Gujarati, Bengali, Telugu script, and many others. India’s linguistic diversity presents a challenge, as documents may contain text in multiple languages like Hindi, English, and regional languages such as Bengali, Tamil, and Telugu. Shufti’s OCR is extensively trained on these scripts, ensuring precise extraction from documents like Aadhaar card, voter ID card, and driver's license.
2. Complex Characters and Diacritics
Indian scripts, especially those like Devanagari (नमस्ते), Tamil (நமஸ்தே), and Malayalam (നമസ്തേ), use intricate diacritic marks and compound characters. These elements can be misread by standard OCR systems as separate symbols or letters. Shufti’s AI-driven OCR is equipped to detect and interpret these complexities, improving accuracy for document verification in languages with rich script variations.
3. No Spaces Between Words in Certain Scripts
Some Indian languages, such as Tamil and Telugu, do not traditionally include spaces between words, making it challenging for OCR to distinguish between names, addresses, or other key details. Shufti’s context-aware OCR can efficiently manage these texts, extracting information correctly despite the absence of spaces.
4. Cultural and Regional Variability
Due to India’s vast diversity, identity documents can vary significantly across regions and languages. For example, voter ID cards often have different formats depending on the issuing state. Shufti’s continuously updated OCR system is tailored to recognize and adapt to these regional variations, ensuring that all documents are processed with precision.
5. Driver's License Variations
Indian driver's licenses differ across states, with variations in design, language, and layout. These licenses often include bilingual or trilingual text, typically in English, Hindi, and the state's official language. Shufti’s OCR system is continuously updated to handle these differences, ensuring the accurate extraction of names, addresses, and other essential information.
6. Poor Document Quality
Documents submitted for verification, particularly from rural areas, are often low-quality, photocopies, or poorly scanned. These issues lead to difficulties in text extraction. Shufti’s AI models are trained to handle low-resolution images for improved accuracy.
A Merchant’s Guide to Identity Verification in India
In India, merchants face several challenges when verifying identity documents such as Aadhaar card, PAN card, passport, and driver's license. To simplify the process and support merchants during integration, Shufti offers two Verification Modes: Onsite Verification Mode and Offsite Verification Mode. These modes allow merchants to choose the best approach based on their specific use cases and requirements. Each category comes with its own set of considerations, including the type of document being verified, the verification method, and the unique obstacles merchants might face along the way.
Download the Top 10 Most Difficult Countries for Identity Verification
Download full report1. Verification Modes
Onsite Verification
The onsite verification process by Shufti offers an intuitive and direct interaction for end users through the sophisticated iFrame/Verify component. This user-centric approach enables individuals to seamlessly submit the required verification proofs, such as ID, address documents, while receiving real-time guidance to navigate the verification process effortlessly. Upon completion, the verification results are made readily available to clients through the comprehensive Back Office portal or can be conveniently delivered via an API response, providing flexible and efficient access to vital information.
Offsite Verification
The offsite verification process by Shufti is characterized by its efficient and straightforward approach. In this, clients are responsible for gathering the necessary verification proofs/data from end users. This process streamlines the collection of essential data, enabling clients to submit it directly to Shufti effortlessly for verification. The verification results are conveniently accessible either via the comprehensive Back Office portal or can be readily retrieved through an API response. This flexibility ensures clients have efficient access to critical information.
2. Document Types Selection
In India, various identity documents serve different purposes and offer varying levels of security and verification capabilities. Here's a brief overview of some of the key identification documents and their features:
ID Card: Indian documents that usually fall under the category of ID Cards include:
Aadhaar Card: The Aadhaar card is the most widely used form of identification in India. It contains an individual's unique 12-digit identification number along with biometric data, making it highly secure for verification.
PAN Card: The PAN card is used primarily for tax-related identification but also serves as a general identity proof in many scenarios. It features a 10-character alphanumeric code and a photograph, providing a reliable means of verification, especially in financial services.
Voter ID Card: The Voter ID card, issued by the Election Commission of India, is another widely used identification document. It includes a photograph and an alphanumeric code, making it suitable for verification purposes. However, it lacks advanced security features like biometric data.
Ration Card: Ration cards are issued to households in India for subsidized food and essential supplies, they also serve as a proof of identity. But, they lack the modern security features found in documents like the Aadhaar card.
Driver's License: Driver's licenses in India vary across states but include important features such as barcodes and QR codes for secure verification.
Passports: Indian passports are highly secure, containing multiple layers of verification, including biometric data, MRZ (Machine Readable Zone), and a photo. Passports are ideal for high-security verifications and are widely used in both national and international contexts.
Credit/Debit Card: Credit or debit cards are not recommended for identity verification, as their primary function is financial transactions rather than proof of identity.
3. Document Type Preference
and Performance
Different types of Indian identity documents yield varying success rates in verification
Aadhaar Card
Aadhaar card’s clear, multilingual layout enhances OCR processing, enabling Shufti's advanced features to deliver superior data extraction and verification, outperforming competitors
Format: Paper-based, e-document
Extraction Parameters: Name, date of birth, document number, address, gender, issue date
Driver's License
Indian driver's licenses are complex, with diverse formats and regional variations. Shufti's OCR technology is specifically optimized to handle these challenges.
Format: Paper-based, e-document
Extraction Parameters: Name, date of birth, issue date, expiry date, address
PAN Card
The PAN card, commonly used in India for financial and administrative purposes, is increasingly favored for identity verification. Shufti’s systems are optimized for it, delivering fast and accurate verification.
Format: Paper-based, e-document
Extraction Parameters: Name, date of birth, PAN number, issue date, father’s name
Ration Card
Ration cards in India are essential for accessing subsidized services like food and fuel. Shufti’s OCR systems accurately process both physical and electronic ration cards, adapting to regional variations and multiple languages.
Format: Paper-based, e-document
Extraction Parameters: Name, document number, issue date, address, expiry date
Voter ID Card
Voter ID cards in India are commonly used for identity verification across various sectors. Shufti’s OCR systems are optimized to accurately process them, effectively handling regional variations and printed elements.
Format: Physical card, paper-based, e-document
Extraction Parameters: Name, date of birth, document number, issue date, address, gender, father’s/husband’s name
Passport
Indian passports’ intricate security features, including holograms and microtext, present challenges for OCR technology. Shufti’s advanced OCR systems are fine-tuned to capture and verify all essential details with precision, ensuring quick and reliable processing.
Format: Physical booklet
Extraction Parameters: Name, date of birth, issue date, document number, expiry date, nationality, gGender, place of Issue, MRZ
4. Preferred Document for Identity Verification
As Shufti, we recognize both the Aadhaar card and the PAN card as preferred documents for identity verification in India. The Aadhaar card, with its biometric data and widespread use across sectors, is the leading choice, while the PAN card is essential for financial and tax-related verifications. Our advanced OCR technology is optimized to handle the unique features of both documents, ensuring quick and accurate data extraction for secure identity verification.
Verification Settings
1. Verification Mode (Onsite vs. Offsite)
Shufti offers seamless integration for onsite verification through its advanced identity verification services. This system enables real-time user verification using APIs that connect to Shufti's comprehensive verification database, allowing merchants to confirm customer identities with their consent.
For industries where real-time verification is not required, Shufti’s offsite verification system provides flexibility by allowing businesses to collect and verify documents such as PAN cards, voter IDs, or driver's licenses at a later time. This is especially useful for sectors like telecom, e-commerce, and micro-finance, where documents can be verified in batches, reducing operational burdens while ensuring compliance with KYC norms.
In India, onsite verification is pivotal for high-risk industries and compliance scenarios that require meticulous and direct scrutiny. While offsite verification is prevalent due to the extensive use of mobile devices, onsite methods offer enhanced security and thoroughness. Shufti’s AI-powered biometric solutions elevate onsite verification by providing advanced, real-time assessments and ensuring adherence to rigorous regulatory standards.
2. Data Extraction
Accurate Optical Character Recognition (OCR) is crucial for extracting data from Indian identity documents, especially those written in complex scripts like Devanagari, Tamil, and Bengali. Given India's linguistic diversity, Shufti’s OCR technology is employed to maintain high accuracy across multiple languages and document formats.
3. Identity Document’s Backside Proof
Indian identity documents often include essential information on both the front and back sides. Users are required to submit the backside proof of the document to ensure a thorough verification process. The backside of Indian documents, such as Aadhaar cards, driver's licenses, and voter ID cards, may contain important details like the document number, address, and sometimes barcodes or QR codes. Providing the backside of these documents during verification is recommended to ensure complete and accurate data extraction.
4. Verification Settings
Indian identity documents, such as ID cards, particularly the Indian Aadhaar card, present unique verification challenges due to their format and issuance. The Aadhaar card is typically available in two formats: a physical paper-based version and an electronic (e-Aadhaar) document. Both formats require distinct verification approaches to ensure accuracy. The electronic version of the Aadhaar card is typically available as a PDF. The physical paper-based version of the Aadhaar card is typically laminated to protect it and ensure its durability for long-term use.
5. Real-Time Proof Capture Vs. Proof Upload
Indian identity documents can be verified through two flexible proof methods: real-time proof capture and proof upload, giving users the option to choose their preferred method based on convenience and accessibility.
Real-Time Proof Capture
With Shufti’s advanced auto-capture technology, capturing identity proofs in real-time ensures a smooth, efficient, and accurate verification process. This feature automatically detects the document and captures it without requiring user intervention, making it one of the fastest and most reliable options for verifying physical documents such as the paper-based Aadhaar card or voter ID.
Proof Upload
Users also have the option to upload electronic versions (e-documents) of their identity proofs, such as an e-Aadhaar or a digital PAN card. The upload process is seamless, allowing documents to be verified hassle-free. This is ideal for users who already have access to digital copies of their identity documents and prefer a straightforward upload and verification process.
Merchants can enable Allow Online (real-time proof capture) and Allow Offline (proof upload) options available in the Verification setting Tab. By offering both real-time capture and proof upload, Shufti ensures flexibility, providing the best user experience regardless of whether physical or electronic documents are being verified.
Download the Top 10 Most Difficult Countries for Identity Verification
Download full reportClick on a country to see the unique requirements that must be addressed.
Brazil
Mastering Brazilian Identity Verification: A Merchant's Guide with Shufti
Effective identity verification in Brazil requires a deep understanding of the distinct features and challenges of Brazilian identity documents. Merchants must navigate different formats, languages, and security features to ensure reliable verification. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of Brazil's identity documents and the best practices for merchants engaging in identity verification.
Read Brazil’s Merchant Guide Book
Libya
Mastering Libyan Identity Verification: A Merchant's Guide with Shufti
Verifying identity documents in Libya presents unique challenges due to the country’s complex linguistic, social, and administrative structures. Implementing effective identity verification systems requires advanced technology to handle these specific hurdles. This guide explores the key challenges associated with verifying Libyan identity documents and how Shufti can help merchants overcome them.
Read Libyan’s Merchant Guide Book
Nigeria
Mastering Nigerian Identity Verification: A Merchant's Guide with Shufti
Nigeria’s identity verification systems are fraught with numerous complexities, arising from a combination of socio-cultural, infrastructural, and technological factors. As the country transitions towards digital identity solutions, recognizing and addressing these challenges is crucial for ensuring secure, accurate, and inclusive verification processes. Shufti’s OCR and verification technology is specifically designed to address these challenges and provide accurate, efficient, and reliable identity verification solutions.
Read Nigeria’s Merchant Guide Book
Mastering Indian Identity Verification: A Merchant's Guide with Shufti
Effective identity verification in India requires a comprehensive approach due to the distinct characteristics and complexities of Indian identity documents. Shufti’s OCR and verification technology is specifically designed to address these challenges and provide accurate, efficient, and reliable identity verification solutions.
Read Indian’s Merchant Guide Book
India
Ethiopia
Mastering Ethiopian Identity Verification: A Merchant's Guide with Shufti
Effective identity verification in Ethiopia requires a comprehensive approach due to the distinct characteristics and complexities of Ethiopian identity documents. Shufti’s OCR and verification technology is specifically designed to address these challenges and provide accurate, efficient, and reliable identity verification solutions.
Read Ethiopian’s Merchant Guide Book
South Africa
Mastering South African Identity Verification: A Merchant's Guide with Shufti
Effective identity verification in South Africa requires a deep understanding of the distinct features and challenges of South African identity documents. Shufti’s OCR and identity verification technology is optimized to handle these complexities:
Read South African’s MerchantGuide Book
Mastering Burmese Identity Verification: A Merchant's Guide with Shufti
Effective identity verification in Myanmar requires a thorough understanding of the unique characteristics of Burmese identity documents. Shufti’s OCR and identity verification systems are designed to address these challenges, ensuring high accuracy and compliance.
Read Burmese’s Merchant Guide Book
Myanmar
Mastering Cambodian Identity Verification: A Merchant's Guide with Shufti
Effective identity verification in Cambodia requires a comprehensive approach due to the distinct characteristics and complexities of Cambodian identity documents. Shufti’s OCR and verification technology is specifically designed to address these challenges and provide accurate, efficient, and reliable identity verification solutions.
Read Cambodia’s MerchantGuide Book
Cambodia
Mastering Sri Lankan Identity Verification: A Merchant's Guide with Shufti
This guide helps Sri Lankan merchants, institutions, and service providers understand identity verification challenges, emphasizing the importance of accurate verification in finance, telecommunications, and e-commerce. It stresses compliance with KYC and AML regulations to avoid penalties and loss of trust. Shufti’s advanced technology offers a solution with OCR, biometric verification, and document validation, handling Sinhala and Tamil scripts, complex diacritics, and Gregorian/Buddhist date conversions for accurate onsite and offsite verification.
Read Sri Lankan’s MerchantGuide Book
SriLanka
Mastering Japanese Identity Verification: A Merchant's Guide with Shufti
Effective identity verification in Japan requires a comprehensive approach due to the distinct characteristics and complexities of Japanese identity documents. Shufti’s OCR and verification technology is specifically designed to address these challenges and provide accurate, efficient, and reliable identity verification solutions.
Read Japanese’s MerchantGuide Book
Japan
Explore our ROI Calculator
Secure your business, achieve compliance, and accelerate growth effortlessly with our cutting-edge digital identity verification solution
ROI CalculatorGet the Shufti newsletter
Stay ahead of the curve with fresh takes on the latest identity innovations.
Take the next steps to better security.
Contact us
Get in touch with our experts. We'll help you find the perfect solution for your compliance and security needs.
Contact us