Aadhaar Card

Last Updated : Dec. 30, 2024, 6:30 p.m.

Whenever you undergo document verification, the Aadhaar Card is often the first thing requested by the verifier. It serves as both an address and identity proof, containing your name, address, date of birth, photograph, and a unique 12-digit number. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) issues Aadhaar Cards after collecting demographic and biometric details at Aadhaar Seva Kendras and Enrollment Centers. Established in 2009, UIDAI aimed to provide a distinct identity to each individual in India. This article explores everything about Aadhaar Cards and their importance.

What is an Aadhaar Card?

The Aadhaar card is a 12-digit number given by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). This unique number is created by combining a person's biometric data like fingerprints and iris scans with demographic details like address and date of birth.

Details Mentioned in Aadhaar Card

Your Aadhaar Card contains various pieces of information. The front side includes:

• The individual's photograph

• Name in Hindi and English

• Date of Birth

• Gender

• Date of Issuance

• Date of Download

• 12-digit Aadhaar Number

• 16-digit VID Number

The back side of the card displays:

• The individual’s full address in Hindi and English

• 12-digit Aadhaar Number

• 16-digit VID Number

• Scannable Barcode

• Helpline Number

• Helpline Email ID

• UIDAI Official Website

What are the Benefits of an Aadhaar Card?

An Aadhaar card offers numerous advantages, making it an essential document for identity verification and accessing various services in India.

• Identity Proof
  The Aadhaar card serves as valid ID proof as it includes your photo, full name, and date of birth. It is accepted across India for various official and non-official purposes.

• Address Proof
  The Aadhaar card has your detailed address printed on it, making it an easy and widely accepted document for verifying where you live.

• Opening a Bank Account
  You need an Aadhaar card to open a bank account. It simplifies the process by serving as both identity and address proof.

• Phone and Gas Connections
  Aadhaar is required when applying for a new mobile SIM or a gas connection. It ensures quick verification and hassle-free service activation.

• Investments in Mutual Funds
  Linking your Aadhaar with your Demat account is mandatory for investing in mutual funds or trading in stocks. This step helps prevent fraud and ensures secure transactions.

• Filing Income Tax Returns
  Linking your Aadhaar with your PAN card makes filing income tax returns easier and quicker. It is also necessary to avoid penalties for non-compliance.

• Access to Government Subsidies
  Aadhaar ensures that subsidies like LPG benefits, scholarships, or pension funds are directly transferred to your bank account. This reduces delays and ensures benefits reach the right person.

Types of Aadhaar Cards

Aadhaar cards are issued in various types to accommodate different segments of the population. Below, we detail the different types of Aadhaar cards available:

Aadhaar Letter

This is the original paper-based document sent via regular mail. It features:

• A laminated letter containing demographic details and photograph

• Digitally signed QR code with encrypted information

• Printed on tear-proof paper with latent Aadhaar logo

• Issue date and print date

• Free with new enrollment or mandatory biometric update.

e-Aadhaar

This is the electronic version of the Aadhaar letter that includes:

• Password-protected PDF format.

• Digitally signed QR code.

• Issue date and download date.

• Free to download anytime.

mAadhaar

This is UIDAI's official mobile application that provides:

• Secure storage of Aadhaar data on smartphones.
• Offline functionality.
• Biometric authentication lock/unlock feature.
• Selective QR code sharing.
• Available for both Android and iOS devices.

Aadhaar PVC Card

This is the latest and most durable version featuring:

• Multiple security features including hologram and microtext

• Digitally signed QR code

• Ghost image and guilloche pattern

• Smart card design for wallet convenience

• Available for Rs. 50 through the UIDAI website.

Masked Aadhaar

A masked Aadhaar is a secure version of the standard Aadhaar with the following features:

• Only last four digits visible, first eight digits masked with "XXXX-XXXX"

• Contains digitally signed QR code for verification

• Password-protected PDF format

• Includes demographic information and photograph

• As legally valid as regular Aadhaar

Aadhaar Card Eligibility

You can apply for an Aadhaar Card if you meet the following criteria:

• You should be a resident of India.

• A person who has stayed in India for more than 180 days post Aadhaar Card application can apply.

• Foreigners and NRIs who have resided in India for over a year are also eligible.

• Baal Aadhaar Cards are issued for children below the age of 5.

How to Apply for an Aadhaar Card?

Furthermore, we will explain the steps involved in applying for an Aadhaar card, both online and offline:

Apply for an Aadhaar Card Online

To start your Aadhaar card application online, follow these steps on the UIDAI's official website:

• Visit the UIDAI website.

• Under the ‘My Aadhaar’ tab, click ‘ Book an Appointment ’ in the ‘Get Aadhaar’ section.

• Select your city, click ‘Proceed to Book Appointment,’ enter your mobile number and captcha code, and confirm with the OTP received.

• On your appointment day, take your ID, address proof, and birth date proof to the Aadhaar Seva Kendra.

• Fill out the Enrollment form with all required details at the center.

• Hand in your form and documents.

• Provide biometrics like fingerprints and an iris scan at the center.

• You'll receive an acknowledgment slip with a 14-digit enrollment number, which is useful for tracking your application.

• After verification, your Aadhaar card will be sent to your address, which might take up to 90 days.

Apply for an Aadhaar Card Offline

To apply for an Aadhaar offline, follow these straightforward steps:

• Find your closest Aadhaar Enrollment Center via UIDAI's website.

• Go there and ask for the Enrollment Form, or download and print it from the UIDAI website beforehand.

• Complete the form and submit it with your identity and address verification documents.

• Go through the biometric verification at the center.

• The center staff will scan your fingerprints, photograph you, and record your iris.

• Your photo will be printed on your Aadhaar Card.

• Collect the enrollment slip which includes a 14-digit enrollment number.

• Use this number to check your Aadhaar card status later.

Apply for a Baal Aadhaar Card Online

Here's how to register for a Baal Aadhaar card online:

• Visit the official UIDAI website.

• Choose your preferred language to view the website.

• Click on the ‘My Aadhaar’ tab, then select ‘Book an Appointment’.

• Choose ‘Book an Appointment at a UIDAI-run Aadhaar Seva Kendra’. Select your city from the provided list and click ‘Proceed to Book Appointment’.

• On the following page, type in your mobile number and the displayed captcha code, then click on ‘Get OTP’.

• Type in the OTP received on your mobile.

• Pick a date for your appointment.

• Go to the Aadhaar centre on your appointment day.

• The parent linking their Aadhaar with the Baal Aadhaar must provide their biometrics and Aadhaar details at the centre.

• Submit the necessary documents along with the application form.

Apply for Baal Aadhaar Card Offline

Here's how to apply for a Baal Aadhaar card offline:

• Go to the nearest Aadhaar Enrollment Center. You can find the closest one by visiting the official UIDAI website.

• Fill out the Baal Aadhaar application form available at the center.

• The parent linking their Aadhaar with the Baal Aadhaar needs to provide their biometrics and iris scans at the enrollment center.

• Hand in the necessary documents along with the completed application form.

• You'll get an acknowledgment slip with a registration ID, which you can use to track the status of the Baal Aadhaar card.

• The UIDAI will mail the Baal Aadhaar card to your registered address within 60-90 days of registering.

Documents Needed for Aadhaar Card

To enroll for an Aadhaar, you need three types of documents: Proof of Address (POA), Proof of Identity (POI), and Date of Birth (DOB). The documents listed below are enough to fulfill these requirements:

Documents Needed for Aadhaar Card for Kids

Here's what you need to know about the documents required for children's Aadhaar registration, based on their age:

For Children Under 5 Years: To get a Baal Aadhaar card for young children, the following documents are required:

• Bring the child’s birth certificate.

• Provide the Aadhaar card of one parent.

• Hospital discharge certificate (if available). All documents must be original for verification purposes.

For Children Aged 5 to 15 Years: To register children in this age group, you’ll need:

• The child’s birth certificate.

• Proof of Identity (one of the following):

  • School ID card.

  • An official letter from the school (bonafide certificate) on school letterhead confirming their enrollment.

  • A parent’s Aadhaar card.

  • An identity certificate with the child’s photo issued by a Gazetted Officer or Tehsildar on letterhead.

• Proof of Address (one of the following):

  • A parent’s Aadhaar card.

  • An address certificate with the child’s photo issued by an MP, MLA, Gazetted Officer, or Tehsildar.

  • For rural areas: Address certificate from the Village Panchayat Head or equivalent authority.

Documents Required for Aadhaar Card for NRIs

To apply for an Aadhaar card as an NRI , you must provide specific documents:

• A valid Indian Passport is mandatory as Proof of Identity (PoI) for NRI applicants.

• Additional documents accepted by the UIDAI for NRI Aadhaar card applications include:

  • Birth Certificate

  • Photo ID Proof

  • School Certificate

Additionally, NRIs must also submit documents that verify their relationship to another country. All these documents undergo verification by government officials and competent authorities to ensure their validity and eligibility for an Aadhaar card.

How to Find the Nearest Aadhaar Enrollment Centre?

If you need to find an Aadhaar Seva Kendra nearby, here’s how you can search for the closest one:

Step 1: Visit the UIDAI website.
Step 2: Under the ‘My Aadhaar’ tab, select ‘Locate an enrollment center in Bhuvan Aadhaar’ from the ‘Get Aadhaar’ section.
Step 3: You’ll be redirected to the 'Bhuvan - Aadhaar Centers' website. There, enter your location in the search bar and click the search icon.
Step 4: Tick the box marked ‘Centre for Aadhaar Enrolment and Update’ and then click ‘Get Details’.
Step 5: You'll see a list and a map showing nearby Aadhaar Card Enrollment Centers.

How to Update Your Aadhaar Card?

You can update your Aadhaar card in two ways: online or at an Aadhaar enrollment center. Address changes can be done through both methods, but if you need to update other details like your name, gender, date of birth, or biometrics, you must visit an enrollment center. Here's how to update your Aadhaar details through both online and offline processes:

Aadhaar Card Correction Through Online Process

To update your Aadhaar card address online, follow these steps on the UIDAI's self-service portal:

• Go to the UIDAI official website: https://uidai.gov.in/ .

• Under the “My Aadhaar” tab, find and click on “Update Demographics Data and Check Status.”

• Click “Login,” enter your Aadhaar number and the captcha code, then click “Send OTP.” Enter the OTP received on your registered mobile number to access the update portal.

• Choose “Address Update” and then “Update Aadhaar Online.”

• Read the instructions, then click “Proceed to Update Aadhaar.”

• Select “Address,” update your information, and upload the necessary proof. Double-check all details for accuracy.

• After reviewing the changes, make the payment and submit your request.

• Note the Service Request Number (SRN) provided after submission to track the status of your update.

• It takes a few days to process the update. You can check the update status using the SRN. Once approved, your updated Aadhaar will be sent to your address. If rejected, you may need to reapply.

Aadhaar Card Updation Process Through Offline Process

To update your name, date of birth, gender, or biometric details on your Aadhaar card, visit an Aadhaar enrolment center. Here's how to do it:

• Locate your nearest Aadhaar enrolment center via the UIDAI website.

• No appointment is necessary; visit the center at your convenience.

• Bring all required original documents needed for the updates you want to make.

• Complete the Aadhaar Correction or Update Form at the center.

• The center operator will record your biometrics and scan your documents.

• After the process, you'll receive a receipt with a URN or SRN. This number helps you track the update status of your Aadhaar.

• If everything is correct, your updated Aadhaar card will be mailed to your address within a few working days.

Check Aadhaar Card Status

You can check the status of your Aadhaar card application on the official UIDAI website. To do this online, make sure you have the following:

• Your Enrolment ID, along with the date and time of enrolment
• The mobile number registered with your Aadhaar

Once you have this information, you can easily track the status of your Aadhaar card online. To learn the different methods to do this, click here .

How to Download/Print an Aadhaar Card?

If you haven't received your physical Aadhaar card yet, you can download and print the e-Aadhaar PDF from the UIDAI website. The e-Aadhaar is valid everywhere.

Here's how to download your e-Aadhaar:

• Head to the official UIDAI site.

• Click on ‘Download Aadhaar’ under the ‘Get Aadhaar’ section found in the ‘My Aadhaar’ tab.

• Choose ‘Enrolment ID’ and enter your 14-digit Enrolment ID along with the enrolment date and time. Add the captcha code and click ‘Send OTP’.

• Decide if you want a ‘Masked Aadhaar’ which hides part of your Aadhaar number. Enter the OTP received and click on ‘Verify & Download’.

• Your Aadhaar card will be downloaded to your computer. You can print it out or save it on your smartphone to use whenever needed.

Additionally, if you need to download your updated Aadhaar card using your Date of Birth, Virtual ID, m-Aadhaar App, Digilocker, or UMANG App, you can check out our detailed article on the same.

How to Link an Aadhaar Card to a Bank Account?

Here are the different methods to link a bank account with an Aadhaar card :

• Internet Banking: Log into your bank's internet banking portal to update your Aadhaar details under the relevant section.

• Bank’s Mobile App: Use your bank’s mobile app to update Aadhaar details under the 'Services' or 'My Accounts' section.

• Visit a Bank Branch: Fill out the Aadhaar linking form at your bank branch and submit it along with a photocopy of your Aadhaar card.

• ATM: Use your bank’s ATM and follow the steps in the 'Services' menu to link Aadhaar to your bank account.

• SMS: Send a predefined format SMS (if provided by your bank) to a designated number to initiate the Aadhaar linking process.

• Missed Call Facility: Give a missed call to a specified number if your bank offers Aadhaar seeding via phone, and follow the IVR instructions.

• Phone Banking: Call your bank’s phone banking service and select the option for Aadhaar linkage.

• Check Aadhaar-Bank Linking Status: Verify the status of your Aadhaar linkage with your bank account via the UIDAI website, mAadhaar app, or by using your mobile phone.

How to Link an Aadhaar Card With Other Documents?

Linking your Aadhaar with other documents is essential for accessing various services and benefits. Here's a list of pages that show how to connect your Aadhaar card with different documents.

How to Link Your PAN Card With Aadhaar Card
How to Link Aadhaar Card With Mobile Number Online
How to Link Aadhaar Number to IRCTC Account
How to Link Aadhaar Card With UAN/EPF

How to Verify Your Aadhaar Card?

You can now easily verify your Aadhaar card by following the below-given steps:

• Go to the official UIDAI website.

• Click on 'My Aadhaar' and choose 'Verify an Aadhaar Number' under the Aadhaar services section.

• Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number and click 'Proceed and Verify Aadhaar'.

• Enter the OTP sent to your registered mobile number.

• Submit the details.

If you notice any mistakes, call UIDAI's toll-free number 1947 to fix them.

What is e-Aadhaar?

e-Aadhaar is the digital version of the Aadhaar card, issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). It is just as valid as the physical card and contains all important details like your Aadhaar number, photo, and personal information.

The e-Aadhaar is easy to carry, share, and use securely, making it a convenient alternative to the physical card.

What is Aadhaar PVC?

The UIDAI has launched a new version of the Aadhaar card, known as the Aadhaar PVC card. This card is made of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), making it easy to carry and long-lasting. It includes several security features such as a digitally signed QR code, which contains your photo and personal details. You can order this card online for a small fee of Rs. 50.

What is Aadhaar Virtual ID?

The Aadhaar Virtual ID is a temporary 16-digit code that serves as an alternative to your actual Aadhaar number. You cannot use this virtual ID to get your original Aadhaar card. Each Aadhaar number can have only one virtual ID at a time, but you can generate it multiple times whenever needed.

What is UIDAI?

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is an agency set up under the Aadhaar Act of 2016 by the Indian Government. Starting in January 2009 and operating under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, its main purpose is to issue a unique 12-digit ID called Aadhaar to every resident of India. Here are its main functions and services:

Key Functions of UIDAI:

• UIDAI assigns Aadhaar numbers to residents and links them to their demographic and biometric data.

• It maintains a centralized database with this information.

• The authority develops policies and systems for issuing, updating, and verifying Aadhaar numbers.

• It sets up methods for integrating Aadhaar numbers with other databases to ensure secure and efficient service delivery.

• UIDAI provides an online platform for agencies to confirm Aadhaar holder identities for various services.

Aadhaar Services Provided by UIDAI

UIDAI provides the following Aadhaar-related services:

• Update Your Address: Change your address online at no cost through the UIDAI website.

• Verify Aadhaar Numbers: Check Aadhaar numbers online.

• Lock or Unlock Aadhaar Biometrics: Manage your biometrics for added security using the UIDAI website or the mAadhaar app.

• Check Aadhaar-Bank Account Linking Status: See if your bank account is linked to your Aadhaar online.

• Track Authentication Requests: View a six-month history of your Aadhaar authentication requests.

• Generate or Retrieve Aadhaar Virtual ID: Create or recover a Virtual ID linked to your Aadhaar for extra security.

• Obtain an Aadhaar Card Online: Download your Aadhaar card from the UIDAI website.

• Check Aadhaar Card Status: Check if your Aadhaar card is ready after enrollment.

• Find Nearby Aadhaar Enrolment or Update Centers: Locate nearby centers via the UIDAI website.

• Retrieve Lost UID or EID: Recover a lost Aadhaar number (UID) or Enrolment ID (EID) online.

How to Contact Aadhaar Card Customer Care?

Aadhaar Card Customer Care: The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) offers a 24/7 IVR (Interactive Voice Response) service. You can use this service by calling UIDAI’s toll-free number, 1947, to get information about your Aadhaar card.

This service operates from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM, Monday to Saturday, and from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Sundays. However, it is not available on the national holidays of January 26, August 15, and October 2.

Wrapping Up!

The Aadhaar Card, overseen by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), is more than just a piece of plastic or paper; it's a key that unlocks access to a wide array of services and benefits throughout India. Whether it's opening a new bank account, securing a phone line, or ensuring that government subsidies land in the right hands without delay, the Aadhaar card simplifies these processes remarkably.

With its various forms—from the original paper-based Aadhaar Letter to the sturdy Aadhaar PVC Card, and even digital versions like eAadhaar and mAadhaar—UIDAI has made it incredibly convenient for individuals to choose how they want to carry and use their Aadhaar. Plus, with the online services provided through the UIDAI's portal, managing your Aadhaar details and accessing related services has never been easier. This flexibility and ease of use mark a significant step forward in streamlining bureaucratic processes and enhancing the everyday lives of residents across India.