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Iris Scanning Mandated in Karnataka Banks to Aid Senior Citizens Facing Fingerprint Issues
Karnataka has made iris‑based authentication compulsory in major banks to help elderly customers whose fingerprints have faded, easing their access to banking services.
Karnataka's government has ordered all major banks in the state to adopt iris‑scanning as an alternative authentication method for senior citizens who encounter problems with fingerprint verification.
The directive addresses the growing difficulty elderly customers face as age‑related wear and tear can cause fingerprint patterns to become unreadable, leading to transaction delays and denial of services.
Under the new guidelines, banks must install iris‑recognition devices at branches and allow seniors to verify their identity using eye‑pupil scans. The system will operate alongside existing biometric methods and is expected to be fully operational within the next few weeks.
Officials say the initiative will improve financial inclusion for older adults and reduce the inconvenience caused by fingerprint failures. The state banking regulator will monitor compliance and ensure that staff are trained to handle the new technology.
The directive addresses the growing difficulty elderly customers face as age‑related wear and tear can cause fingerprint patterns to become unreadable, leading to transaction delays and denial of services.
Under the new guidelines, banks must install iris‑recognition devices at branches and allow seniors to verify their identity using eye‑pupil scans. The system will operate alongside existing biometric methods and is expected to be fully operational within the next few weeks.
Officials say the initiative will improve financial inclusion for older adults and reduce the inconvenience caused by fingerprint failures. The state banking regulator will monitor compliance and ensure that staff are trained to handle the new technology.