Lucknow: A physically disabled man from a small city in Uttar Pradesh grabs attention on X (formerly Twitter) for struggling with basic banking necessities due to biometric verification issues. Asif Khan, a resident of Unnao, shared his heartbreaking experience on X, explaining how either he or his sister is facing problems due to a physical disability. Without both hands, they cannot complete the biometric fingerprint authentication needed to access important services like pension payments from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
The issue has left them stuck, as biometric verification is a must for accessing their bank account. Without any alternative system, they are unable to receive pension money that could ease their financial struggles.
A Plea for Help on X
On March 26, 2025, Asif Khan posted a tweet, tagging NPCI’s official account and explaining the problem: “Sir, I am disabled. My Aadhaar card was made without fingerprints because I don’t have both hands. I have a bank account in Punjab National Bank, but NPCI is not working. Bank staff say, ‘Nothing can be done for you.’ Sir, please tell me if there is any solution so that I can activate NPCI and start receiving my pension. I live in Unnao district, Uttar Pradesh. Please help me.”
Asif’s words show how desperate the situation is. His tweet also highlights the helplessness of people with physical disabilities who depend on biometric verification for banking services.
NPCI’s Response
NPCI responded to Asif’s plea on X, but their answer offered no real solution. They simply asked him to contact his bank for help. This didn’t solve the problem, as Asif later described his frustrating experience at the bank: “I went to the bank, and the staff said, ‘You don’t have hands, so how will we take your fingerprints?’ Please tell me if there is any solution. Without NPCI, I cannot receive my pension.”
Confusion About Who Is Affected
Another tweet from Asif raised more questions. This time, he tagged the Aadhaar authorities in Lucknow and wrote, “Sir, my sister is disabled. Her Aadhaar card was made without fingerprints because she doesn’t have both hands. She cannot access NPCI services from the bank. What should we do, sir?”
It remains unclear whether the problem affects Asif, his sister, or both. But one thing is certain—they are being denied basic banking services because they cannot give fingerprints.
A Larger Problem in the Banking System
Asif’s tweets show a bigger issue in India’s banking system. Biometric verification, like fingerprint scans, is widely used, but it creates serious difficulties for people with disabilities. Right now, there are no proper alternatives for those who cannot provide fingerprints, leaving them excluded from essential services.
Many people on X are now calling for change. They are tagging NPCI, Punjab National Bank, and Aadhaar authorities, asking them to create better, non-biometric solutions for disabled individuals. Suggestions include facial recognition, iris scans, or manual verification.
For Asif and his sister, this is not just about accessing a bank account. It is about survival, dignity, and independence. Without access to their pension money, they are left to struggle with no financial support.
Hoping for a Solution
As more people talk about Asif’s case online, there is hope that the government, banks, and NPCI will take action. Real financial inclusion can only happen when disabled people are given equal access to services.
Until that happens, Asif’s plea remains unanswered: “Sir, please help me so that I can activate NPCI and start receiving my pension.”
