Aadhaar Card Download

April 24, 2023

14 min read

About The Aadhar Card

The Aadhar card is one of the most important documents for an Indian citizen. Is it a unique 12-digit identification number issued by the UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India). It serves as residential proof as well as identity proof and is an important document every citizen of India must-have.

The objective of this initiative and project is to collect all the biometric data and demographic data of the citizens of the country and store them in one centralized database. The main data center where all the information is stored in at the Industrial Model Township (IMT) in Haryana.

Eligibility

The Aadhar card serves as proof of identity and is an extremely useful document to have in your possession. However, it is not true that only Indians can apply for an Aadhar card. In order to be eligible to apply for one, the applicant has to be either:

An Indian citizen residing in India, or
A non-resident Indian residing in India, or
A foreigner residing in India.

Documents Required When Enrolling For An Aadhar Card

In order to enroll for an Aadhar card, you will require a few other documents- proof of address and proof of identity. Ensure that these documents come with your name and picture. Below are the documents accepted and required by the UIDAI.

Passport
PAN Card
Ration Card
Voter Identification Card
Driving License
NREGS Jobs Card
Photo Bank ATM Card
Birth Certificate

Once you have completed the enrolment and document identification process, and your Aadhar card has been generated, you can download your e-Aadhar from the official website, and get it printed. This electronic copy is password protected, as it is signed by an authority from the UIDAI, making it as valid and official as the physical copy of the card, reducing the burden of carrying documents around with you.

There are seven ways to download this e-Aadhar card from the official website. These are:

Using your Aadhar number
Using your Enrolment ID (EID)
Using your Virtual ID (VID)
Using your name and date of birth
Using Aadhar mobile application
Using DigiLocker
Using the mobile application UMANG

Download Your E-Aadhar Using Your Aadhar Number

If you already have an Aadhar card, you probably have access to your Aadhar number as well. This number can be used to download your card from the UIDAI website by following the steps below:

Make sure you have your Aadhar number within easy access
Open the UIDAI website
- Open the official UIDAI website, https://uidai.gov.in/
- Click on the section named Aadhar Online Services
- Open the menu, which will contain an option entitled Download Aadhar. Click on this
- After this, you will be prompted to fill in certain details. Ensure you fill this in correctly and timely. These details include:
  1. Aadhar Number
  2. Full Name
  3. Pin Code
  4. Security Code
Once you’ve filled in all these details, you will reach a section asking you for the OTP ( One Time Password). If you don’t have one, click on ‘Request OTP’
You will receive an OTP within a few seconds. Enter this OTP in the section provided.
You will now be able to download your e-Aadhar. You will need a password to do this. This password is the first four letters of your name and your birth year in capitals.

Download Your E-Aadhar Using Your Enrolment ID (EID)

If you do not have access to your Aadhar card or your Aadhar number, you can use your enrolment ID to download your e-Aadhar. If this is the case, you can easily download your e-Aadhar by following the next few steps.

Log onto the official UIDAI website
Using the drop-down menu that appears, click on ‘Download Aadhar’
- You will now be redirected to the webpage
- Once you are here, click on the Enrolment ID option
- You can also choose whether you prefer a masked ID or a regular one
- Enter all your details including:
  1. Your 14-digit Enrolment ID number, along with the 14-digit time and date values printed on the enrolment slip
  2. Your full name
  3. Your pin code
  4. The image captcha code
Once you have verified the information and entered the captcha code, click on ‘Receive OTP’ to receive a one-time password on your registered mobile number
Press Confirm
Enter the received OTP in the relevant space, and you can now download your E-Aadhar card!
You can now download the card onto your system or smartphone, and print it for use!

Download Your E-Aadhar Using Your Virtual ID

Another way you can download your E-Aadhar card is by using a 16-digit generated Virtual ID. This ID has to first be generated using the UIDAI website before it can be used to download the E-Aadhar. The process to do this is as follows:

Log on to https://resident.uidai.gov.in/home
- Click on the virtual ID generator option that will appear on your screen
- In order to receive your virtual ID, you will need to enter your Aadhar card and security code. The security code will be displayed on your page
- Click on the button that says ‘Send OTP’ in order to receive an OTP
- Enter the OTP, and select the option that says ‘Generate VID’
- You will now receive your VID on your registered mobile number
Now, log onto the UIDAI website, https://uidai.gov.in/
Click on ‘Download Aadhar’ and the ‘Virtual ID’ option
- Enter your virtual ID number
- Enter your full name
- Enter your pin code
- Enter the security code (that will appear on the screen)
Click on the button that says ‘Send OTP’
You will receive a one-time password on your mobile phone. Enter this password in the relevant field, and click on ‘Download Aadhar’
Your Aadhar card will now be saved onto your system for you to download as and when required
To access the PDF file, you may need a password. This password is the first four letters of your first name (in capitals), followed by your year of birth.

Download Your E-Aadhar Using Your Name And Date Of Birth

If, in case, you have no access to your Aadhar card number or even your enrolment ID, you can still download your e-Aadhar using your registered name and date of birth. In order to do this, follow the steps below:

Log onto the official UIDAI website, https://resident.uidai.gov.in/
On the drop down menu that appears, click on ‘Retrieve lost UID/EID’
- They will now ask you for a few personal details including:
  1. Your registered mobile number OR
  2. Your email id
- Click on ‘Send OTP’ to receive and one-time password on your phone number or email address
- Once you have received and entered the OTP, click on ‘Verify OTP’
- You will now receive your Aadhar card number on your registered mobile number
Once you have received your Aadhar number, visit the e-Aadhar page on the official UIDAI website (click on ‘online Aadhar services’ and then on ‘download Aadhar’)
Enter the following details when prompted:
- Aadhar number
- Full name
- Pin code
- Security code
You will once again need to request an OTP by clicking on ‘Send OTP’
You will receive an OTP within a few seconds. Enter this OTP in the section provided.
You will now be able to download your e-Aadhar. You will need a password to do this. This password is the first four letters of your name and your birth year in capitals.

Download Your E-Aadhar Using Aadhar Mobile Application

mAadhar is the official mobile application for your Aadhar card. You can use this application to download your e-Aadhar card and access it whenever you need to. Do this by following the steps below:

Download the mAadhar application on your mobile phone, and log in to the app
If your mobile number has been registered with you at the time of enrolment, you will easily be able to download your Aadhar card
You will receive a text message on your registered mobile number, consisting of a one-time password
Note that the application will automatically read the password sent to your phone- you will not need to manually enter the password
You can now download your e-Aadhar card on your smartphone!
You can also download more profiles on your phone (up to three profiles). However, this is only possible if all three people have the same registered mobile numbers.

Download Your E-Aadhar Using DigiLocker

DigiLocker is an application by the Government of India, which can be used to download your e-Aadhar. It is part of the government’s initiative to bring about paperless governance. You can download your e-Aadhar using this application by following the next few steps.

Download the DigiLocker application on your smartphone, and sign
Once again, if your mobile number has been registered at the time of enrolment, you will be able to use it to download your e-Aadhar
Select the UIDAI option (this is the partner and the document you are looking for)
A drop-down option will appear
Click on ‘Aadhar’
Once this is done, you will be required to enter your Aadhar number
A one-time password will also be sent to your registered mobile number, which you will also be prompted to enter
You can now download your e-Aadhar card on your application
It will appear in the ‘Issued’ section.

Download Your E-Aadhar Using The Mobile Application UMANG

UMANG is another government initiative to introduce paperless governance. It is an application that has been developed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the National e-Governance Division (NeGD). To download your e-Aadhar using this application, follow the steps below:

Download the application on your smartphone and log in or register
Click on ‘All services;
Now click on ‘Aadhar Card
Select ‘View Aadhar Card from DigiLocker’
You will now be redirected to the DigiLocker home page
Sign in to DigiLocker
Enter your Aadhar number and the one-time password sent to your phone when prompted (refer to the DigiLocker section for further details)
You can now view your e-Aadhar on the UMANG application, via DigiLocker.

Aadhar Card Download FAQs:

1. What is an e-Aadhar card?

An e-Aadhar card is an electronic copy of your Aadhar card. It is official, and is signed by an authority of UIDAI

2. What do I do if a I have a new mobile number and address?

You will not be able to download your e-Aadhar without a registered mobile number. Therefore, in this case, you will have to visit the Aadhar Enrolment Centre with an acknowledgement number, and get your number updated. Once this is done, you will be able to use your phone number to download your e-Aadhar using any of the methods above!

3. Can I use my e-Aadhar as ID proof instead of the physical copy?

Yes! This e-Aadhar serves as proof of identity and is as valid as the physical copy- as long as you have downloaded it from official sources! This is as per the Aadhar Act.

4. What is a masked Aadhar card?

When you are downloading you Aadhar card, you might notice an option to download a masked Aadhar card. This option allows you to mask your Aadhar number when you are downloading the card. It replaces the first eight digits of the Aadhar number with symbols (XXXX XXXX), and only reveals the last four digits of the Aadhar card number.

5. Can I download a masked Aadhar card using an application?

Unfortunately, you can only download a masked Aadhar card for UIDAI website directly. You will not be able to download one using any application (including DigiLocker)

6. What applications do you need to open your e-Aadhar?

To open your e-Aadhar n your devices, you just need ‘Adobe Reader’. This is because the e-Aadhar is saved as a PDF file, which require the adobe reader application to open and access the file

7. What is the password I need to input to open the e-Aadhar document?

When you download your e-Aadhar and try to open it, you will probably be asked for a password. This password is the first four letters of your first name, followed by your year of birth. Note that the first four letters must be in capitals as the password is case sensitive. For example, if your name is Rohan and you were born in 1989, the password to open the document would be ROHA1989. The password is always an eight digit password.

8. What is ‘Order Aadhar Reprint’ service?

This service comes into use when you have lost or misplaced your original Aadhar card. The UIDAI authorities will reprint your Aadhar card, and send it to you via India Post. The card will be sent to your registered address, after making the required payment (50 rupees for every reprint request)

9. How long will it take for me to get my reprinted Aadhar card?

A reprinted Aadhar card should reach the customer within 5 days of requesting it.

10. Is the PDF file received on E Aadhaar card download password protected?

Yes, it is password protected. The default password is the first four letters of your name in caps and your year of birth.

11. What is the VID when you download Aadhaar card?

It is a number which you can use in lieu of Aaadhaar number. The difference is that the Virtual ID is a 16 digit number.

12. What is the reason for promoting the use of Aadhaar card?

The prime reason to promote the use of Aadhaar card was to establish the principles of E-Governance by rooting out corruption and ensure transparency.

13. How do you ensure the safety of your Aadhaar data from misuse?

You can lock your biometric data to prevent unauthorized access to it. When required, you can again unlock it. In the locked status, even you will not be able to authenticate your Aadhaar using biometrics.

14. What can you update before E Aafhaar card download?

All the demographics and even the biometric details can be updated in the SSUP portal, but only at the Permanent Enrolment Center.

15. Is there any limit to the number of times for e Aadhaar card download?

There are no limits, but every time you will have to follow the prescribed procedure.

16. Will UIDAI track my activities with all my personal details?

No, UIDAI only takes certain details, and does not have access to your bank accounts, property details, health records, family or any other details that are too personal to you.

17. Is it compulsory to link my Aadhar Card with my bank account?

No, it is not compulsory to link your bank account and Aadhar Card, as long as other key documents such as PAN card or Voter ID are provided.

18. Is there any fee charged by UIDAI for enrolment for Aadhar Card?

The UIDAI does not charge a fee for Aadhaar enrolment process. However any corrections/additions made to your Aadhaar information at an enrolment centre is an additional charge of Rs. 25.

19. What does lock/unlock Aadhar mean?

For security and privacy reasons, UIDAI has introduced the lock/unlock feature. After locking your Aadhaar Number, you cannot perform authentication using Aadhaar Number. In this case you may use your Virtual ID to perform Authentication.. If you unlock your Aadhaar Number, you will be able to use your Aadhaar Number for Authentication once again.

20. I’m not receiving an SMS. What should I do?

Make sure your SMS services are working properly. Contact your network provider. It may just take some time or be a small delay because of network issues!