CKYC is the central KYC registry run by CERSAI for banks, insurers and investment firms, which identifies you by a 14-digit KIN.
Central KYC is a single KYC registry for the whole financial sector. It is run by CERSAI, the Central Registry of Securitisation Asset Reconstruction and Security Interest of India.
When a bank, insurer or fund house completes your KYC, it can upload the record to the registry. The registry then issues a 14-digit KYC Identification Number, or KIN, usually sent to your registered mobile number or email. Many people already have one from opening a bank account without knowing it.
With a KIN, another regulated firm can fetch your verified details instead of asking for fresh documents, as long as they are still current.
CKYC sits alongside the securities market's own records, which are kept by KRAs. A mutual fund KYC is registered with a KRA and may also be uploaded to CKYC. For buying mutual funds, what counts is your KYC status with the KRAs.
If your details change, updating them with a regulated firm you deal with sends the change to the registry. KYC status explains how to check where you stand.
KYC is done once with a KYC registration agency and is accepted by every fund house. The online Aadhaar route, the in-person route and what CKYC adds.
Every KYC record carries one of four statuses. What each one lets you do, how to check yours and how to clear an On Hold status.
Each fund page has its returns, risk, costs, managers and everything it holds.