The Reserve Bank of India has recenlty allowed that small accounts with banks can be opened even without officially valid documents.
In a circular posted on its website, the banking regulator has said that a small account can be opened on the basis of
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a self-attested photograph and
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putting the prospective account holders’ signature or thumb print in the presence of an official of the bank.
However such accounts will have restricted transactions facilities.
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Aggregate credits will not be more than Rupees one lakh in a year.
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While aggregate withdrawals are not to exceed Rs 10000 in a month and
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balance in the accounts cannot be more than Rs 50,000 at any point in time.
These small accounts would be valid normally for a year after which such accounts would be allowed to continue for a further period of twelve more months, if the account holder provides a document showing that she/he has applied for any of the officially valid document, within twelve months of opening the small account.
Officially valid documents for know your customer or KYC purpose include a passport, driving licence, voters’ ID card, PAN card, Aadhaar letter issued by UIDAI and Job Card issued by NREGA signed by a State Government official.
RBI Press release – 2014-2015/410 dated 26 Aug 2014
https://rbi.org.in/scripts/BS_PressReleaseDisplay.aspx?prid=31935