e-Aadhaar - Complete Information

1. It serves as a digital version of the Aadhaar card.
2. It contains a unique 12-digit alphanumeric identity number.
3. It is issued to all Indian citizens by the Government of India.
4. It holds the same validity as the physical Aadhaar card.
5. It can be easily downloaded from the official UIDAI website.

Information Available on e-Aadhaar

An e-Aadhaar card of individuals, like its physical copy, contains their personal information. Individuals can visit the UIDAI website to see their Aadhaar information such as

• Aadhaar number
• Photograph
• Name
• Date of birth
• Address
• Sex

Use of e‑Aadhaar for Official Purposes

You can use e‑Aadhaar for:

1. Employment and official identity verification.
2. Banking and financial transactions (e.g. account opening, loans).
3. Access to government subsidies, such as LPG or welfare schemes.
4. Proof of identity and address for services across sectors.

How to Download e‑Aadhaar

Via UIDAI Portal or MyAadhaar app

1. Enter Aadhaar or EID, name, PIN‑code and captcha.
2. Request OTP (sent to your registered mobile).
3. Enter OTP.
4. Use password - first four letters of your name (in uppercase) + birth year (YYYY) to open the PDF.
5. Option to download masked Aadhaar with only last four UID digits.

Via Digi Locker

1. Link Aadhaar to Digi Locker using your Aadhaar number and OTP. Once issued in your locker, you may download the e‑Aadhaar PDF.

Via mAadhaar App

1. Install from official app store, log in with Aadhaar or Virtual ID + OTP. Under 'Services → Download Aadhaar', simply tap to download.

How to Link e-Aadhaar to DigiLocker Account?

Step 1: Access DigiLocker

Visit the DigiLocker website or launch the DigiLocker mobile app on your smartphone.

Step 2: Create or Log In to Your Account

1. If you're new to DigiLocker, click on 'Sign Up' or 'Register' and complete the registration process.

1. Existing users can log in using their registered mobile number and the OTP received on their phone.

Step 3: Navigate to the Dashboard

After logging in, you will land on the DigiLocker dashboard.

Step 4: Go to Profile Settings

Locate and click on the 'Profile' or 'My Profile' section within the dashboard.

Step 5: Select Link Aadhaar Option

Find the 'Link Aadhaar' option and click on it.

Step 6: Enter Aadhaar Details

1. Fill in your Aadhaar number, full name (as mentioned on your Aadhaar card), and other required details.

1. Ensure all information matches exactly with your Aadhaar card.

Step 7: Verify and Submit

Double-check the entered details and click 'Save' or 'Submit' to proceed.

Step 8: Linking Process:

DigiLocker will process the Aadhaar linking, which may take a few moments.

Step 9: Confirmation

Once the linking is successful, you'll receive a confirmation notification.

Step 10: Access Your Documents

Your Aadhaar card and other linked documents will now be available in the DigiLocker platform for digital access and management.

Note:

1. Ensure your Aadhaar card is active and linked to your current mobile number, as you'll receive OTPs during the process.
2. Linking Aadhaar to DigiLocker allows for easy digital access to Aadhaar and other important documents.

How to Validate the Digital Signature

1. Open the PDF in a trusted PDF reader.
2. Right‑click on the signature field and select “Validate signature”.
3. Ensure the issuer is UIDAI and status is ‘valid’.
4. If invalid, update your PDF reader, some recent UIDAI signatures need up‑to‑date software.

Benefits of e-Aadhaar

Mentioned below are the benefits of the e-Aadhaar:

Convenient and Accessible: The e-Aadhaar is a digital equivalent of the Aadhaar card, removing the need to carry a physical copy. It is accessible anytime, anywhere via platforms such as DigiLocker, the UIDAI website, or the mAadhaar app, provided you have an internet connection.

Proof of Identity: It serves as a valid proof of identity and residence and is widely accepted for official purposes such as applying for a passport, opening a bank account, signing a rental agreement, or registering for a voter ID.

Secure and Reliable: The e-Aadhaar ensures safety through two-factor authentication, requiring access to both the registered mobile number and Aadhaar details.

Eligibility for Subsidies: It can be used to avail government subsidies, such as discounts on LPG cylinders, by linking it with the respective service.

Cost-effective: The e-Aadhaar is free of charge, saving the cost of printing and delivering physical cards. It also reduces the time and effort involved in visiting Aadhaar centres.

Simplified Updates and Corrections: Updates or corrections to Aadhaar details can be easily made online through the UIDAI portal or the mAadhaar app, avoiding the need for in-person visits to Aadhaar enrolment centres.

Digital Verification: The QR code on the e-Aadhaar card enables fast and secure identity verification through scanning, streamlining the process for service providers and authorities.

Environmentally Friendly: By choosing e-Aadhaar, you contribute to a sustainable, paperless environment, reducing the need for physical documents and promoting eco-friendly practices.

2025 Updates & New Features

· By November 2025, UIDAI will fully roll out a QR‑code only digital Aadhaar, eliminating physical and printed copies. Users can digitally share full or masked Aadhaar securely.

· UIDAI now supports face recognition and voice‑based authentication, especially helpful in rural or elderly populations.

· UIDAI services and mAadhaar app now available in multiple regional languages, and Mobile Aadhaar Seva Kendra reach remote communities.

· Update policies impose limits on repeated biometric and date‑of‑birth changes; official government documents are now required for corrections.

· UIDAI will integrate Aadhaar with official databases (e.g. PAN, education and MNREGA data) to reduce fraud.

Aadhaar Updates & Free Process

· Free online demographic updates (PoI & PoA) via myAadhaar portal are extended until 14 June 2026. After this, offline centre updates cost Rs.50.

· For children under five or NRIs/OCIs, UIDAI’s revised document list now eases enrolment (mandatory birth certificate for post‑Oct 2023 births).