Introduced in 2009, Aadhaar stands as one of the most substantial biometric ID systems, having garnered immense importance over the years. As digitalization accelerates, the advent of an e-Aadhaar card further enhances convenience and accessibility. An e-Aadhaar is a digital version of your Aadhaar card, encompassing all the biometric and demographic particulars found on a physical Aadhaar card, such as your name, UIN number, gender, date of birth, photograph, and more.
By possessing an e-Aadhaar card, you can conveniently access your Aadhaar information at all times, eradicating the possibility of misplacing or forgetting your Aadhaar number. This digital format offers the same data as its physical counterpart, ensuring that individuals can easily view and verify their Aadhaar information online. The new e-Aadhaar has enhanced security with two QR codes: one small code with demographic details and a larger code with data and photo.
Benefits of having an e-Aadhaar card:
- e-Aadhaar is available online and can be accessed anytime and anywhere, eliminating the need to carry a physical card that could be lost.
- The digital document comes with password protection to prevent misuse of personal information.
- It serves as a valid ID and residence proof for various activities across India, including opening bank accounts, filing IT returns, obtaining or renewing a passport, securing loans, and enrolling for insurance policies.
- To avail of government schemes and benefits like LPG subsidy, the Aadhaar or e-Aadhaar card must be provided.
- In case of loss or misplacement of the Aadhaar card, users can easily download and print the e-Aadhaar, which serves the same purpose.
- e-Aadhaar serves as a universal identity card for all Indian residents, providing identification anywhere in the world.
- It acts as both proof of identity and proof of address, making it a versatile document.
- To access government subsidies, applicants must submit their Aadhaar card.
- e-Aadhaar facilitates the opening of bank accounts and mandates linking the bank account to the Aadhaar card for seamless transactions.
Download e-Aadhaar card using mobile phone number OTP:
- Visit the official website of UIDAI uidai.gov.in.
- Click on the 'Download Aadhaar' option under the 'Get Aadhaar' section.
- Choose the appropriate option ("Aadhaar Number," "Enrollment ID (EID)," or "Virtual ID (VID)") depending on the information you have.
- Check the "I want a masked Aadhaar" box if you prefer not to display your full Aadhaar number on the new card.
- Provide your name and pin code.
- Click on the 'Get One Time Password' (OTP) option.
- Receive the OTP on your registered mobile number and enter it in the provided field.
- Click on 'Download' to download your e-Aadhaar card.
- Set the e-Aadhaar password by using the first four letters of your name in capitals along with your birth year in YYYY format. For example, if your name is Rajesh and your birth year is 1987, your password will be RAJE1987.
- Open the e-Aadhaar PDF file.
- If needed, print out the PDF for your reference.
Download e-Aadhaar card without UID, EID, VID:
Steps to retrieve UID and EID:
- Go to the UIDAI portal to initiate the retrieval process for UID and EID.
- Depending on which information you want to retrieve, choose either "Aadhaar No. (UID)" or "Enrollment ID (EID)."
- Enter your name and registered mobile number or email ID.
- Enter the Captcha code and click on "Send OTP."
- Provide the OTP received on your email ID or mobile number and click on "Verify OTP."
Once completed, you will receive a message stating that your UID/EID has been sent to your registered email ID or mobile number. With the obtained UID or EID, proceed to the earlier explained steps to download your e-Aadhaar card. The downloaded e-Aadhaar card will be in PDF format and will require a password to open.
Open downloaded e-Aadhaar card PDF:
- Enter the PIN code of your registered postal address.
- Use the e-Aadhaar password as explained in the previous guidelines.
- Once you have successfully entered the required information, you will gain access to your duplicate Aadhaar card in electronic format.
- To obtain a physical copy, simply print the e-Aadhaar card, and it will serve the same purpose as your original Aadhaar card.
- Laminating the printed document is optional, as it does not affect the card's validity in any way.
- Your e-Aadhaar card is now a valid ID proof regardless of where it is color-printed or black and white, laminated or not and can facilitate various processes.
e-Aadhaar card PDF password:
- The e-Aadhaar PDF password consists of 8 characters.
- Take the first 4 letters of the cardholder's name and write them in capital letters.
- Next, add the 4 characters indicating the cardholder's birth year.
- For example, if the name is "Sandeep Verma" and the birth year is 1979, the e-Aadhaar password will be "SAND1979".
- This password protection ensures that only the cardholder can access the document.
- It prevents any unauthorized use or misuse of the private details contained in the Aadhaar card.
Change e-Aadhaar card password:
- Go to the official UIDAI portal and select "Reset Password."
- Provide all the necessary details as prompted.
- Click on "Reset password" and enter your new desired password.
Download e-Aadhaar card using DigiLocker app:
- Open the DigiLocker app on your device.
- Log in to your account and enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number.
- Click on the 'verify' option, and you will receive an OTP (One-Time Password).
- Enter the OTP you received in the designated field.
- Click on the 'Verify OTP' button to validate the OTP.
- Once the OTP is successfully verified, a page titled 'Issued Document' will appear.
- From there, you can download and save your e-Aadhaar card.
Validate digital signature in e-Aadhaar card PDF:
- Open the e-Aadhaar PDF that you generated from the UIDAI website and enter your pin. Right-click on the 'validity unknown' icon.
- Click on the 'Validate Signature' option.
- A signature validation status window will open.
- Choose 'Signature Properties' and then select the 'Show Certificate' option.
- Verify the certification path named 'NIC sub-CA for NIC 2011, National Informatics centre'.
- Mark the certification path and click the 'Trust' option that appears.
- Select 'Add to Trusted Identities'.
- If any security questions are prompted, click on 'OK'.
- Tick mark the field for 'Use this certificate as a trusted root'.
- Click 'OK' twice to close both windows.
- To execute the validation, click on 'Validate Signature'.
Check e-Aadhaar card status online:
- Go to the UIDAI website.
- Enter your 14-digit enrollment ID.
- Provide the date and time of enrollment.
- Enter the given code.
- Click on "Submit" to check the Aadhar status.
- Once your Aadhar card is generated, you will receive it via post.
- For emergency purposes, you can also print out the e-Aadhar card.
Retrieve enrolment ID and date/time of enrolment if acknowledge slip is lost:
- Visit the UIDAI website.
- Click on the "Find UID/EID" option.
- Choose the option to retrieve the Enrolment number.
- Provide your details, including Full Name, email ID, Mobile Number, and security code.
- Click on the "Get OTP" button.
- Enter the OTP received on your registered mobile number or e-mail ID.
- Click on "Verify OTP."
- Your Enrolment number will be displayed on the screen.
Check e-Aadhaar card status via mobile phone number SMS:
- To check the status of e-Aadhaar card by SMS, send an SMS with the text "UID STATUS <14 digit enrolment number>" to 51969. The SMS must be sent from the registered mobile number.
- Alternatively, you can check the e-Aadhaar card status by calling the Toll-Free number 1947. You will need the Enrolment ID for this method.