The world today has transformed into a digital society. Back in the day, trading and banking activities were performed manually, but eventually, technology penetrated, and now every step is performed digitally. Relying on technology needed a more streamlined process to avoid mixing records. This is where KYC, or Know Your Customer, came into the picture. To ensure a streamlined KYC, CAMS KRA was introduced.
CAMS KRA or Computer Age Services Know Your Customer Registration Agency was introduced to streamline the KYC process across banking and trading portals. Let’s learn more about the role of CAMS KRA and KYC in the trading landscape.
CAMS KRA KYC Purpose for Mutual Funds
Investing in mutual funds is a widely popular choice in the country and there are possibly lakhs of investors putting their money in mutual funds every year. This makes it obvious that mutual fund agencies need a simple and reliable verification process.
This is where CAMS KRA KYC (Computer Age Services Know Your Customer Registration Agency) comes into play. The CAMS KRA KYC process is designed to create a streamlined verification process and build a centralised record-keeping database digitally. What makes the CAMS KRA KYC process reliable is its transparency and effective usage.
Know that CAMS KRA KYC is not an optional process for mutual fund investments but rather a mandatory step. The process prevents fraud and also ensures compliance. Many believe that it is through the introduction of CAMS KRA KYC that investments in mutual funds have become more secure and transparent.
CAMS KRA KYC Procedure
Now that you have a fundamental understanding of the CAMS KRA KYC, let’s understand how the process works. Here’s a simple step-by-step explanation of the procedure:
In the first step, you have to fill out the CAMS KRA KYC form, specifying details like investor type, etc. Under investor type, you have to choose whether you are a retail investor, individual, non-individual, etc.
In the next step, you have to submit the required documents for identity verification like an Aadhar Card, PAN card etc.
Once you have submitted the required documents, you can complete the in-person verification either online or by visiting the nearest CAMS KRA centre.
Now, the CAMS KRA will verify the documents and update the KYC status accordingly.
Once the agency verifies your application, your KYC status is updated on the CAMS KRA database which you can check online.
Types of CAMS KRA Forms
Now, remember that when you are filling out the CAMS KRA form for KYC verification, there are three different kinds of forms that you have to choose from. Let’s take a quick look at the types of CAMS KRA forms to eliminate any confusion:
As the name suggests, this form is for individual investors. To fill in the form, you will need to submit basic personal details and verify through an Aadhar Card or PAN card.
This form is for non-individual investors like companies or any other such organisation. To complete the verification process, you will have to submit additional documents like board resolutions and authorised signatories.
Know that the CAMS KRA process can be performed on behalf of a minor as well. For this type of form, details of the guardian and their relation with the minor are required.
Note: Make sure to fill in the correct form based on the investor type as each form is tailored and made for different types of investors.
Check CAMS KRA KYC Status
If your verification and validation process is longer than expected, you can easily check the status of your KYC either through an online or offline process. Here’s how:
Online CAMS KRA Status:
Visit the official website of CAMS KRA.
Once you are in, locate and select the “KYC Status” window on the screen.
Here, you have to log in by filling in your PAN card/Aadhar Card details or any other personal details as may be asked. Hit submit after filling in the information.
You will be able to see the status of your KYC on the screen.
Offline CAMS KRA Status
Visit the nearest CAMS KRA centre.
Submit your details to log in.
The CAMS KRA representative will inform you about your KYC status by checking the database.
Needed Document of KYC Verification
Before you proceed with the KYC verification, you must first keep the required documents handy to avoid any last-minute hassle. Here’s a list of documents needed for KYC verification:
Proof of Identity: For identity proof, you can provide any government-authorised identity proof like a PAN card, Aadhar Card, Driving License or Passport etc.
Proof of Address: You will have to provide a document as an address proof. This can be a utility bill, rental agreement, bank statement or even an Aadhar Card. However, remember that you can not submit the same document for both identity and address proof.
SEBI Guidelines on KRA
You must know that KRA KYC was introduced by the Securities and Exchange Board of India in 2011 to streamline the verification process under KYC. Before the introduction of KRA KYC, banks and even trading portals had their separate methods of performing KYC that paved the way for unkempt records and fraud. This became one of the biggest reasons why SEBIN introduced KRA KYC.
Since KRA KYC was introduced by the SEBI, it is also responsible for issuing guidelines, rules and regulations regarding the functioning of KRA KYC. Here’s some SEBI guidelines for KRA that you must be aware of:
The Securities and Exchange Board of India is wholly responsible for issuing guidelines that ensure standardisation that brings efficiency and security to the KYC process.
Secondly, SEBI issued guidelines on the process of record keeping that every agency must follow. This also includes the process in which documents of identity and address are collected from the customers.
Guidelines issued by SEBI also focus on improving privacy, and data protection and building an overall safe and secure verification process for each customer.
Since the KRA KYC process includes data collection on a mass level, agencies must perform regular audits. This comes under one of the many compliances that every KRA has to follow.
Lastly, since the digital space is ever-evolving, the Securities and Exchange Board of India issues guidelines to update the KYC process to eliminate any chances of fraud or any other such lapses.
Advantages of KRAs for Investors
Here’s how KRA KYC has benefitted investors by creating a streamlined and convenient process of verification:
Since the introduction of the KRA KYC verification process has become simpler than ever. Investors have to perform the verification process only once and since the data collected is centralised the final verification can be used by all mutual fund agencies.
Another key benefit of KRA KYC that investors enjoy is that now investors do not have to submit a fresh KYC at every mutual fund agency. Once the KRA KYC process is complete through the trading portal the same can be used across different mutual fund agencies.
Through traditional methods of verification investors were always under the suspicion of their personal data being leaked or manipulated. However, after the introduction of KRA KYC, investors are assured that their data is safely collected and stored in a secure online database that cannot be accessed by any third-party.
Unlike the gone days performing verification to invest in a mutual fund, investors no longer have to stand in long lines and perform verification manually. Everything can be done out of the house and investors can keep track of their KYC status as well.
Final Takeaway
Know that to invest in a mutual fund of your choice, it is mandatory that you first complete the KYC process. Since the introduction of the KRA KYC process, verification has become simpler than ever. You can simply visit the official KRA website and fill in the form, submit documents to complete your KYC. The KRA KYC process ensures that your data is safe and used for investment purposes solely. Make sure to choose a credible trading platform to open demat account for mutual fund investments.
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Disclaimer: Investments in the securities market are subject to market risk, read all related documents carefully before investing.
This content is for educational purposes only. Securities quoted are exemplary and not recommendatory.
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