Aadhar Card Download – Official UIDAI Link

BySatish kumar

E-Aadhaar is the digital version of your physical Aadhaar card that you can download. It’s a password-protected electronic copy that contains all the information present on your physical Aadhaar card. This secure PDF document is digitally signed by UIDAI, making it as valid as the physical card for all purposes.

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My Aadhaar Portal Update Aadhaar Check Status UIDAI

Aadhar Card Download Steps

Aadhaar Card Download (E-Aadhaar) banner

There are different methods to download your E-Aadhaar card. Let’s explore each method in detail and simplicity but make sure your Aadhaar Card Status is set to ‘Available’:

1. Download Via the UIDAI (MyAadhaar) Portal

The MyAadhaar portal is your official platform for all thing Aadhaar. Here’s how you can download your E-Aadhaar card from this portal:

  • Go to the official UIDAI ‘My Aadhaar’ portal by clicking the button below.
My Aadhar Portal
  • Then click on ‘Download Aadhaar’ option as you can see in the picture below.
picture showing download aadhaar card option
  • Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number or 16-digit Virtual ID.
  • Enter the security Captcha shown on the screen.
  • After Solving Captcha, click on ‘Send OTP’ button.
  • You’ll receive a one-time password on your registered mobile number.
picture showing feildes to enter aadhar card number or enrolment id or virtual id to download aadhar card and send otp option at the end
  • Enter the OTP and click on ‘Verify and Download’ button, your Aadhaar Card will be downloaded successfully.

Note that your Aadhaar card will now download as a password-protected PDF. The password is a combination of the first four letters of your name (in capital letters) and your year of birth. You see detailed guide here.

If you’re facing issues with the Aadhaar card password, double-check that you’re entering your name exactly as it appears on your Aadhaar card.

2. Download Via the mAadhaar Mobile Application

For those who prefer using their smartphones, the mAadhaar app is a great option to download your Aadhaar Card. Here’s how to use it:

  • Download the mAadhaar app from Google Play Store or Apple App Store or Click the official Links below.
mAadhaar App (Android)
mAadhaar App (iOS)
  • After installation, open the mAadhaar App and click on ‘Register’ button.
  • Enter your Aadhaar number and tap on Send OTP. You will receive the OTP on your Registered Mobile number with Aadhaar.
  • It will ask you to set up a PIN as it will be required later to Download Aadhaar Card.
  • Once you are logged in, tap on ‘Download Aadhaar’ button in the All Services section as shown below.
mobile screen showing download aadhaar option
  • Now there will be two options for you to choose between ‘Regular Aadhaar’ and ‘Masked Aadhaar’. The difference between the two is explained below in the table.

FeatureRegular AadhaarMasked Aadhaar
Displayed Digits All 12 digits visibleOnly last 4 digits visible
Privacy LevelLowerHigher
Use CaseFull identificationPartial identification
Visual Representation1234 5678 9012XXXX XXXX 9012
Difference Between Regular Aadhaar & Masked Aadhaar Card

Note: Masked Aadhaar is introduced to enhance privacy and reducing the risk of identity fraud. By limiting the visible digits to just the last four, it becomes significantly more challenging for potential fraudsters to misuse the Aadhaar number.

  • Enter your Aadhaar Number, VID Number, or Enrolment ID and complete the captcha verification and then request for OTP.
mobile screen showing option to enter aadhar number, solving capcha option and send otp option
  • You will receive the OTP on your registered Mobile number. Enter the OTP and click ‘Open’ Button to download Aadhaar card.
screen showing option to open and view your Aadhar card
  • Remember, your Aadhaar card will be a password Protected PDF. You can see Aadhaar Card Password Guide to view your PDF.

The mAadhaar app is particularly useful for Aadhaar card download with mobile number. It’s also handy for KYC verification processes, as you can show your digital Aadhaar directly from the app.

3. Via DigiLocker

DigiLocker is a popular and secure cloud-based platform for storing digital documents in India. Here’s how to use it to download Aadhaar:

  • Visit the DigiLocker website or download the app by official Link below.
DigiLocker App (Android)
DigiLocker App (iOS)
  • Sign up if using for first time by using your Aadhaar number and mobile number.
  • Once logged in, click on ‘Issued Documents’ option in the Menu bar.
  • There will be many options shown here but select ‘UIDAI’ option from the list of issuers as shown in the picture below.
digiloacker screen showing aadhar card option
  • Here you will see ‘Aadhaar’ option, Click on it.
  • Now you will see option to Download your Aadhaar Card.
  • Click it to download your Aadhaar.

Please note that DigiLocker App is mostly used for many official documents such as Aadhaar Card and it serves as a digital wallet for your documents. Documents from DigiLocker is widely accepted in different institutions of India.

4. Via the UMANG Portal

UMANG (Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance) is a single platform for all Indian citizens to access India e-Gov services. Here is step-by-step tutorial on how to download your Aadhaar through UMANG:

  • Visit the UMANG official website by clicking the button below.
UMANG Official Portal
  • Register using your mobile number, if not registered already.
  • Once logged in, you will see ‘My Aadhaar‘ option on your Dashboard.
  • Click on ‘Download Aadhaar’ from many option on Screen as shown below.
option to download aadhar card in omang portal
  • A verification option will appear that you can verify by sending OTP to your registered mobile number with Aadhaar.
  • Enter the OTP received on your mobile and click ‘verify and Download’. Your Aadhaar card will be downloaded automatically.

This method is great to Aadhaar card download online and i personally prefer getting my Aadhaar card PDF quickly and easily by this method.

Related Topic: Check Aadhaar Card & Bank Link Status

Aadhaar Card Download Without OTP

Sometimes, you might need to download your Aadhaar card without an OTP. This can happen if you’ve lost access to your registered mobile number. In such cases, you can try these method:

Download Aadhaar card by name and date of birth

Visit the UIDAI website and use the ‘Retrieve Lost or Forgotten EID/UID’ option. To verify your identity it will ask you to provide information as listed:

  • Name
  • Date of birth
  • Other personal Information

After successful Verification you can now Download your Aadhaar card.

Download Aadhaar card using enrollment number

If you have your enrollment slip for your Aadhaar, you can use the 14-digit enrollment ID to download your Aadhaar. Always make sure your Enrolment Slip is safe, as it can cause potential fraud if got into wrong hands.

Above are my personally verified methods to download Aadhar Card without OTP as sometime i am in a situation where i need to download it as i doesn’t have access to my mobile number or having any problem.

How to Generate VID?

Virtual ID (VID) is a temporary, revocable 16-digit number with your Aadhaar number. It’s designed to enhance privacy during Aadhaar-related processes, including Aadhaar card downloads using enrollment numbers.

Steps to Generate a VID:

Here is the step by step guide to generate VID from official website:

  • Visit the official UIDAI website uidai.gov.in
  • Click on ‘Generate VID’ button under the ‘Aadhaar Services’ section.
  • Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number.
  • Choose the method for receiving OTP (SMS or email)
  • Enter the received OTP
  • Your 16-digit VID will be generated and displayed

Remember, you can generate a new VID whenever you want, which automatically cancels the previous one.

Benefits of Using VID:

There are many benefits of using VID rather than Aadhaar number such as:

  • Protects your Aadhaar number from unnecessary exposure.
  • Can be used for most Aadhaar authentication purposes
  • Adds an extra layer of security to your digital identity

Where to Use VID:

You can use your VID in many places such as:

  • For online KYC processes
  • When applying for jobs or services that require Aadhaar verification
  • For e-signing documents
  • During Aadhaar card download using enrollment number.

Remember, your VID remains valid until you generate a new one. It’s a good practice to generate a new VID periodically, especially if you’ve used it for multiple services. This helps maintain the security of your Aadhaar information.

E-Aadhaar Password

When you download your e-Aadhaar, it comes as a password-protected PDF file. This password is crucial for accessing your digital Aadhaar card.

How to Generate the e-Aadhaar Password?

The password is a combination of:

  • The first four letters of your name (in CAPITAL letters)
  • Your year of birth (YYYY format)

For example, if your name is Amit Kumar and you were born in 1985, your e-Aadhaar password would be AMIT1985.

examples of different passwords of aadhaar card

Secure Your e-Aadhaar:

Once you’ve successfully opened your e-Aadhaar PDF, consider these security measures:

  1. Change the PDF password to a unique, strong password
  2. Store the PDF in a secure location on your device or use DigiLocker.
  3. Avoid sharing the e-Aadhaar file or its password with others

Troubleshooting Password Issues

If you’re having trouble opening your e-Aadhaar PDF:

  1. Double-check that you’re entering your name exactly as it appears on your Aadhaar card
  2. Ensure you’re using the correct year of birth
  3. Try using a different PDF reader if the problem persists

Uses of Aadhaar in Government Schemes:

There are many Government Schemes in India that use Aadhaar Card as offcial identity to apply in different schemes such as:

Welfare Subsidies:

Aadhaar is used for Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) in various subsidy schemes, ensuring that benefits reach the intended recipients directly. This includes LPG subsidies, scholarships, and pension schemes.

Jan Dhan Yojana:

Aadhaar is essential for opening zero-balance bank accounts under this financial inclusion program. It helps in expanding banking services to underserved populations.

Aadhaar-enabled Payment System (AePS):

This system allows Aadhaar holders to perform basic banking transactions using their Aadhaar number and biometric authentication. It’s particularly useful in rural areas with limited banking infrastructure.

Public Distribution System (PDS):

Aadhaar helps in the efficient distribution of food grains and other essential commodities by eliminating duplicate or ghost beneficiaries.

MGNREGA:

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act uses Aadhaar for worker registration and wage payments, ensuring transparency and reducing fraud.

Use of Biometric Authentication In Aadhaar

Aadhaar uses biometric data for authentication, including:

  • Fingerprint scans: The most commonly used biometric method
  • Iris scans: Particularly useful for individuals whose fingerprints may be worn or difficult to scan
  • Facial recognition (in some cases): An emerging authentication method for added security

This biometric authentication ensures that only the rightful owner can use their Aadhaar for various services and transactions.

General Uses of Aadhaar Card

Aadhaar has become an essential document for various purposes:

  • KYC Verification: Banks, telecom companies, and other service providers use Aadhaar for quick and easy Know Your Customer (KYC) verification.
  • Jan Dhan Yojana: Aadhaar is crucial for opening zero-balance bank accounts under this financial inclusion scheme.
  • Welfare Schemes: Many government welfare programs use Aadhaar for beneficiary identification and benefit distribution.
  • Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): Aadhaar enables direct transfer of subsidies and benefits to beneficiaries’ bank accounts, reducing leakages.
  • PAN Card Linking: Linking Aadhaar with PAN is mandatory for filing income tax returns.
  • Digital Life Certificate: Pensioners can use Aadhaar-based Jeevan Pramaan for easy pension verification.

UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India)

UIDAI is the statutory authority established under the Aadhaar Act, 2016. Its primary responsibilities include:

  • Aadhaar enrolment and updates
  • Authentication services
  • Ensuring Aadhaar data security
  • Developing policies around Aadhaar usage

For NRI (Non-Resident Indian) applicants, UIDAI has specific guidelines:

  • NRIs can apply for Aadhaar using their valid Indian passport
  • They need to visit an Aadhaar Seva Kendra in India
  • The process is similar to resident Indians, but with different address proof requirements

UIDAI continually works on improving Aadhaar services, making it easier for both residents and NRIs to access and use their Aadhaar for various purposes.

Signature Validation and ZIP/XML Files

When you download your Aadhaar card as a PDF, it’s crucial to validate its digital signature to ensure authenticity. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Open the e-Aadhaar PDF using Adobe Reader.
  2. Look for a “Validity Unknown” icon next to the signature.
  3. Right-click on this icon and select “Validate Signature.”
  4. Check if the certificate issuer is exactly “(n)Code Solutions CA 2014” to confirm validity.

For advanced data management, UIDAI offers ZIP and XML file options:

ZIP File Download:

You can download your Aadhaar Card as Zip File as:

  1. Visit the UIDAI website and select “Download Aadhaar.”
  2. Enter your Aadhaar number and captcha.
  3. Choose the ZIP file option before downloading.

XML File Usage:

  1. The XML file contains your Aadhaar data in a structured format.
  2. It’s useful for offline verification.
  3. To open, use any XML viewer or text editor.

Troubleshooting Common Issues In Aadhaar Card Downloading Process

If you’re facing issues while downloading your Aadhaar card, try these solutions:

  • Browser Issues: Clear cache and cookies or try a different browser.
  • OTP Problems:
  • Ensure your mobile number is correctly registered.
  • Wait for a few minutes and try again if OTP is delayed.
  • Server Overload: Try downloading during off-peak hours.
  • Incorrect Details: Double-check your Aadhaar number and other inputs.

If the OTP “one-time password” isn’t working:

  • Verify if your mobile number is linked to Aadhaar.
  • Check if your phone has network coverage.
  • Try the “Retrieve Lost UID/EID” option if you’ve forgotten your Aadhaar number.

Helpline and Support

For Aadhaar-related queries or issues:

  1. Call the toll-free number: 1947
  2. Email: [email protected]
  3. WhatsApp Support: Click the button below, it will redirect you to official help desk.
UIDAI Whatsapp (Support)

Remember, never share your Aadhaar details or OTP with anyone, even if they claim to be from UIDAI. Official communication will never ask for such sensitive information.