Every country follows specific systems to identify its citizens. India is no different in this regard. Here, Aadhaar Card is one such document that acts as an identity and address proof for Indians. However, it cannot be used as proof of domicile, the issuing Government agency UIDAI notified. 

As per the official report, till February 2020, Government has issued Aadhaar Card to approximately 90% of Indians.

However, many are yet to receive their unique identification card. 

Please read this guide carefully to know all about Aadhaar Card in India, starting from its digital version to its benefits and usages. 

Let’s begin!

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is an arm of the Government responsible for issuing a 12-digit identification number to its citizens. In return, the residents can use this number to prove their identity and address anywhere within the country. 

The Government set up several Aadhaar enrollment centers across the country. You have to visit the nearest center to your home and provide demographic and biometric details to get your unique number. 

You can also use an e-Aadhaar card alongside the physical copy. All you have to do is download the card from the official website and save it on any electronic device. 

The Unique Identification Authority of India gives a unique 12-digit identification number to all Indian residents. The number on the Aadhaar card connects individual biometrics—fingerprints and iris scans—and demographic data, such as personal details, so that the latter can get complete and secure identification. 

The number is required to enjoy all rights associated with government facilities, perform financial transactions, and enjoy other related privileges.

It is a 16-digit alphanumeric code and is supposed to be an interim substitute for the real Aadhaar number. With this card, users can be assured that no extra private identifiers will be shared during authentication. 

People can now perform any kind of transaction or service by using a VID. This prevents most chances of identity theft and misuse. It ensures added security while maintaining the confidentiality of the actual Aadhaar number.

After you visit an Aadhaar Enrolment center and complete the verification and biometric process, you will get an acknowledgement slip. On top of that slip, you will see a 14-digit number which is your enrolment number. 

This number is required to check the status of your Aadhaar generation.

The electronic or online version of an Aadhaar Card is known as an e-Aadhaar Card. The duplicate version of this card is available on the UIDAI website and can be downloaded in PDF format. 

Enter the Aadhaar password to initiate a download. An e-Aadhaar is as acceptable as its original printed variant. A mAadhaar, which is compatible with mobile devices, is also available. 

As the name suggests, a masked Aadhaar Card allows you to keep the first 8 digits of the number concealed while the last 4 numbers are visible to everyone. When you download Aadhaar Card online, the picture, name, DOB remain the same, including the signature of UIDAI. 

Hence, if you are using this card for identity proof, a masked Aadhaar Card holds the same legitimacy as the printed copy. 

Irrespective of the type of Aadhaar Card you possess, knowing the Aadhaar Card eligibility is crucial. 

Following are the eligibility parameters for  Aadhaar Card:

• Residency Requirement: First, the concerned individual must be a resident of India to be eligible for an Aadhaar card. In other words, the person should have stayed in India for at least 182 days or more.

• Age factor: Everybody can have an Aadhaar, starting from a child to an old one. In the case of children below 5 years of age, an Aadhaar number may be provided, though their biometrics are collected only when they grow up a bit. Guardians or parents can apply for it on behalf of their children.

• Proof Via Documentary Evidence: The applicant will be obligated to furnish identity proof, residence proof, and date of birth proof. Documents that shall be accepted as proof include a Government photo ID card similar to a passport, voter ID card, and electricity, water, or telephone bills.

Follow the steps below to apply for an Aadhaar Card in India. 

Step 1: Go to the UIDAI portal and click on “My Aadhaar”. 

Step 2: Choose “Book Appointment” and visit your nearest Aadhaar enrolment center. 

Step 3: Keep the necessary documents handy. 

Step 4: Duly fill up the Aadhaar application form with relevant information. 

Step 5: Submit the form along with supporting documents. 

Step 6: You have to visit the center personally to provide your biometrics. 

Step 7: After the formalities are completed, you will get an acknowledgement slip against your enrolment. Aadhaar enrolment number is required later to track the status of the Aadhaar application. 

Step 8: After the verification is complete, the Aadhaar Card will reach your home via post. Generally, it takes up to 90 days to receive this document. 

Know about the documents checklist to expedite the verification process. 

Here are the steps to apply for an Aadhaar Card offline: 

Step 1: Search for the nearest Aadhaar Enrollment Centre, Aadhaar Sewa Kendra, or the UIDAI office.

Step 2: Visit the selected enrollment centre with the required documents, which generally consist of proof of identity, proof of address, and proof of date of birth. 

Step 3: Fill out the enrollment form with your personal information, including your name, address, and date of birth. 

Step 4: After filling and verifying the form, you will be asked to provide your biometrics, which will include fingerprints, iris scanning, and a photograph. 

Step 5: After successful completion, you will receive an enrollment acknowledgement slip containing an enrollment number that you can use to check the status of the Aadhar application online.

Step 6: The UIDAI will process your application, and once authenticated, your Aadhaar number will be issued. 

Once generated, you can receive your Aadhaar card by post or download your e-Aadhaar from the UIDAI website.

To get an e-Aadhaar, you have to follow the steps mentioned below:

Step 1: Go to the official website of UIDAI.

Step 2: Navigate to “My Aadhaar’ and select “Download Aadhaar”.

Step 3: Enter your Aadhaar Number/Enrolment ID/Virtual ID. 

Step 4: Select the box to get a masked Aadhaar.

Step 5: Complete the CAPTCHA verification and click “Send OTP” or “Enter OTP”. 

Step 6: After the authentication, the download option will appear. 

Download the e-Aadhaar and open it by entering the password. Since this number is confidential, a masked Aadhaar card is a necessity.

Here are the steps to download an Aadhaar Card by using the name:

Step 1: Visit the UIDAI website.

Step 2: Click on the Retrieve Enrolment number/EID.

Step 3: After this, enter your full name.

Step 4: Then insert your Mobile number or Email ID.

Step 5: Enter the CAPTCHA Code and click on the ‘Send OTP’ button.

Step 6: Provide the OTP received on the mobile phone.

Step 7: Again, go to the UIDAI website and click on e-Aadhaar Download.

As per UIDAI guidelines, downloading an Aadhaar card requires an OTP at the time of downloading. On the other hand, one can easily download their e-Aadhaar card without an OTP using the mAadhaar app available on their smartphones.

In case your mobile number is linked with your Aadhaar, you can download your Aadhaar card using mobile number from:​

Step 1: Website of UIDAI: Go to the official website of UIDAI,

Step 2: Click on "Download Aadhaar": The option "Download Aadhaar" is under the option "Aadhaar Services."

Step 3: Select OTP Option: Fill in the blank space with your Aadhaar number or VID.

Step 4: CAPTCHA: Enter the CAPTCHA and click on ‘Send OTP’.

Step 5: Enter Mobile Number: A one-time password will be sent to your registered mobile number, which you must input.

Step 6: Receive OTP and Enter It: Enter the OTP you will receive on your mobile phone.

Step 7: Download the Aadhaar Card: After verifying the OTP, you can download the Aadhaar card. It is in PDF format. To open the PDF, you will have to give a password, generally the first four letters of your name in block letters, followed by your birth year.

Besides a valid individual identification document, you must consider several other benefits of the Aadhaar Card that can make life easier. 

Some of them are listed below. 

• You can check your income tax return using the Aadhaar Card number online. 
• Getting an instant passport is also possible with an Aadhaar Card as identity proof. 
• If you have to open a new bank account, you need to provide your Aadhaar Card details. Moreover, you can now use your Aadhaar Card for transactions above Rs.50,000 instead of a PAN Card. 
• Aadhaar Card uses also include getting pensions for senior citizens. It cuts short the cumbersome documentation process. 
• Aadhaar number is also helpful in getting the digital life certification. It further facilitates receiving pension without much legwork. 
• If you want your Provident Fund to be disbursed on time to your bank account, Aadhaar Card Number is vital in such a matter. 
• All Government subsidies, including LPG subsidy, are receivable only if you have linked your bank account with your Aadhaar Card. 

Besides, this card is accepted for all vital official purposes. 

Below is the online process to update data on Aadhaar:

Step 1: Log in to the SSUP portal using your Aadhaar and OTP. 

Step 2: Select the fields that you want to update.

Step 3: Enter the data on those fields. 

• Submit the form online and note down your generated URN. 

• Review the update by selecting BP.

• Upload the scanned documents online for verification.

• Check the status of the update using your URN number. 

Later, the documents will be further verified at the UIDAI back office for an update. Hence, you need to provide your registered mobile number to make the process hassle-free.

Now, let's look at the offline alternative to updating an Aadhaar card.

Here is a step-by-step guide to updating your Aadhaar card offline:

Step 1: Download or Collect Form: From the official website of UIDAI or your nearest Aadhaar Enrolment Centre, download or collect the Aadhaar Update Form.

Step 2: Form Fill-up: Fill out the form with the information related to the required update.

Step 3: Prepare Documents: Prepare self-attested copies of supporting documents related to your update in the Aadhaar card, such as proof of address, identity, or date of birth.

Step 4: Visit the Aadhaar Centre: Visit the nearest Aadhaar Enrolment Centre or Aadhaar Seva Kendra.

Step 5: Form and Document Submission: The completed and duly filled application form is to be submitted along with the required documents at the centre. Biometric: Provide biometric information—fingerprints or Photographs, whichever is applicable. Acknowledgement Slip: Obtain an acknowledgement slip with a URN to track the status.

Here are the steps to update Aadhaar Card biometric information:

Step 1: Find your nearest enrollment centre using the UIDAI portal or visit the nearest post office or bank providing Aadhaar facilities. 

Step 2: Get the updated Aadhaar Form, which is available at the centre. In the form, mention the biometric update. 

Step 3: Your biometrics (fingerprints and face scan) will be captured once more at the centre. This is intended to update or rectify discrepancies.

Step 4: Please carry any necessary supporting documents, such as proof of identity, to validate your identity.

Step 5: Review the captured biometric data with the staff to ensure it is proper and confirm that this is your request.

Step 6: Get an Acknowledgment Slip containing a 14-digit Update Request Number (URN). 

Please keep the receipt safe for future reference to determine the status of your update.

Step 1: Visit the official website of UIDAI.

Step 2: Click on "Update Aadhaar" and then on "Update Your Aadhaar." You will be taken to the online portal called SSUP, which stands for Aadhar Self-Service Update Portal.

Step 3: You must enter your Aadhaar number and click ‘Send OTP’ so that an OTP is sent to your mobile phone registered with them.

Step 4: Enter the OTP received and click on ‘Login.’

Step 5: Select "Name" from the list of details to be updated. 

Step 6: Enter your new name in the form. It should appear on your Aadhaar card.

Step 7: Upload a scanned copy of a valid document, such as a passport, marriage certificate, or any other government-issued ID, as proof of name change. 

Step 8: Check the information for accuracy and click "Submit" to complete the process. 

Step 9: Once you submit the form, you will receive a URN. Please retain this number to track the status of the update.

Following are the steps you need to take in order to update your name in Aadhaar: 

Step 1: Locate a nearby Aadhaar Enrolment Centre.

Step 2: Download and fill out the Aadhaar Update Form, mentioning that your name needs to be updated. 

Step 3: Submit the original documents supporting the name change. The valid documents include a passport, marriage certificate, or any other official document. 

Step 4: Recheck the details with the centre's staff to ensure everything is correct. 

Step 5: You will receive an acknowledgement slip with a 14-digit Update Request Number (URN). Keep this number to track the status.

Step 6: Track the status using the URN at the UIDAI website for the name update request.

The process to get an Aadhaar Card for NRI is similar to that of Indian citizens. Here are the steps. 

Step 1: Book an appointment: Visit the official website to book an appointment online. Otherwise, go directly to an enrolment center to initiate your application.

Step 2: Submit relevant documents: Provide your residential proof, identity proof and other documents like the stamped visa of the country you are currently living in. Carry the original copy of all these documents to the enrolment center.

Step 3: Give your biometric data: The representative at such an enrolment center will collect your biometric details like fingerprints, a scan of irises and a photograph.

After the data is collected and the documents are verified, the Aadhaar Card will be dispatched to your residence in India. 

Aadhaar Card is a confidential personal document, and hence, if Aadhaar Card is lost, you need to get a new one immediately to resume the essential official work. 

All you have to do is visit an Aadhaar Enrolment Center to request a reprint. Fill up the Aadhaar correction form with your enrolment number and Aadhaar number and submit it. The representative will collect your biometric data to issue a duplicate Aadhaar Card after verifying the master data available against the card number. 

The government has adopted several measures to protect privacy and ensure data security. 

Besides using a masked Aadhaar, you can lock/unlock your Aadhaar biometrics online. 

Step 1: Visit the UIDAI website.

Step 2: Go to “Aadhaar Services” and select “Lock/Unlock Biometrics”.

Step 3: Select the check box that says if you lock your card, you won’t be able to use the biometric authentication until it is unlocked again. 

Step 4: Click on “Lock/Unlock Biometrics”. 

Step 5: An OTP will be generated. 

Step 6: Enter it to authenticate and select “enable locking feature” to lock the number or “disable locking feature” to unlock the same. 

In either case, you have to have the registered mobile number where the OTP will be sent. 

The above-listed pointers are some of the necessary factors that you must know about Aadhaar Cards in India. Now that Aadhaar is becoming mandatory, in most cases, apply for one if you do not have it already. Also, keep updating the details occasionally to ensure its relevance. 

Moreover, if your card is stolen, make sure to file an FIR or missing diary at the nearest police station to prevent the card from being misused.