What is Aadhaar Card? Eligibility, How to Enrol, Check Status, Update, Link Aadhaar

Aadhaar card is a 12 digit unique identification number, issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). According to a data shared by UIDAI in September 2023, 138.08 crore residents in India have Aadhaar Cards. Aadhaar Card can be used as a proof of Identity, get benefits of many Centre and State Government welfare schemes and access various services. Let’s understand Aadhaar and its significance in detail.

Eligibility for Aadhaar Card 

Any resident of India is eligible for an Aadhaar Card:

Documents Required for Aadhaar Card

Enrollment for an Aadhaar requires three types of documents – Proof of Address (POA), Proof of Identity (POI), and Date of Birth (DOB). The following documents are sufficient to meet the criteria:

How to Enrol for Aadhaar?

Click to learn the detailed steps to apply for an Aadhaar Card.
Click to know more on Baal Aadhaar enrolment. 

How to Update Aadhaar?

The Aadhaar card update process can be completed via two modes, i.e. through an online portal or Aadhaar enrolment centers. While the Aadhaar address can be updated through any of the above two modes, updating other demographic details, such as name, gender date of birth, and biometric data is possible only through the enrolment centers. Here is the detailed stepwise guide to help you with the UIDAI Aadhaar update, click here to know more.  

The two main reasons to update Aadhaar card details are:

• Change demographic details like 
  • Name
  • Address
  • Mobile number
  • Photo
  • Date of Birth
• Change Biometrics details

Check Aadhaar Card Status

If you have applied for a new Aadhaar card or requested to update some details in your Aadhaar card, you can track the status of the update request or application by visiting the official UIDAI website. You need to have the following information ready with you to check the status of your Aadhaar card online:

• Your Enrolment ID with the date and time of enrolment 
• Your mobile number registered with Aadhaar

Once you have this information ready with you, you can easily check your Aadhaar card status online. To know multiple ways to track your Aadhaar card status, click here.

Download/Print the Aadhaar card

If you have successfully enrolled for an Aadhaar card but have not received the physical copy as yet, then you can download and print the PDF version of the Aadhaar card, also known as e-Aadhaar from the Aadhaar website. This is accepted everywhere. 

You can download your updated Aadhaar card by using your Date of Birth, Virtual ID, m-Aadhaar App, Digilocker, and UMANG App. Click here is detailed processes to download your Aadhaar. 

Aadhaar Card Verification

It is now possible to easily verify Aadhaar online by the following steps:

• Step 1: Visit the official UIDAI website. 
• Step 2: Click on the tab ‘My Aadhaar’ tab and select ‘Verify an Aadhaar Number’ under the ‘Aadhaar services’ heading. 
• Step 3: Enter the unique 12-digit Aadhaar number and click 'Proceed and Verify Aadhaar'. 
• Step 4: Enter the one-time password (OTP) that you will receive on your registered mobile phone. 
• Step 5: Submit the application. 

If there is a mismatch in details, you can call the UIDAI toll-free number – 1947 for rectification.

How to Link Aadhaar With a PAN card?

The government has made it mandatory to link Aadhaar with a PAN card by 30th June 2023. However, it must be linked by paying a late penalty of Rs.1,000. After paying the penalty, individuals must visit the Income Tax e-filing portal, click the ‘Link Aadhaar’ option, enter the details, and submit to link Aadhaar with PAN. Here step-by-step step-by-step guide explaining the process of how to link Aadhaar an Aadhaar card with PAN, click to know more.    

Purpose of Aadhaar

• Unique Identification: Aadhaar provides a unique 12-digit identification number to every Indian resident, which serves as a universally accepted proof of identity and address.
• Social Welfare Schemes: Aadhaar streamlines the distribution of government benefits and subsidies, reducing fraud and ensuring that benefits reach the rightful recipients.
• Financial Inclusion: Aadhaar supports the opening of bank accounts and access to various financial services, promoting financial inclusion for all, including uninsured and rural populations. The Income Tax Department has made it mandatory for taxpayers to link Aadhaar to PAN. Aadhaar is required while paying income tax and filing returns.
• Digital Identity: Aadhaar enables digital authentication for various services, simplifying processes like online banking, mobile connections, and government services.
• Data-Driven Governance: Aadhaar assists in creating data-driven policies and governance by providing accurate population statistics and demographics.

Benefits of Aadhaar

• Efficient Service Delivery: With Aadhaar, government subsidies, pensions, and scholarships can be directly transferred to beneficiaries' bank accounts, reducing leakage and ensuring timely delivery.
• Simplified KYC: Aadhaar simplifies the Know Your Customer (KYC) process for various services like opening a bank account, getting a mobile connection, or accessing financial products, making these processes faster and more efficient.
• Identity Verification: Aadhaar offers robust identity verification using biometric and demographic data, reducing the chances of identity fraud and enhancing security.
• Convenient  Access: Aadhaar enables easy and convenient access to a wide range of services including e-signatures, digital lockers, and online banking, promoting a seamless digital experience.
• Cost Reduction: By eliminating intermediaries and reducing paperwork, Aadhaar lowers the operational costs of service delivery for both the government and private entities.
• Inclusion and Empowerment: Aadhaar empowers citizens by providing them with a universally recognized identity, which is crucial for accessing various social, economic, and financial services.
• Unified Database: Aadhaar facilitates the creation of a unified database for residents, aiding in effective planning, resource allocation, and policy implementation.
• Enhanced Transparency: Aadhaar promotes transparency in service delivery, reduces corruption, and ensures that benefits are provided directly to eligible individuals without intermediaries.

What is e-Aadhaar?

e-Aadhaar is the digital counterpart of the physical Aadhaar card, officially issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). This electronic document is legally equivalent to the physical version and includes all essential details such as the Aadhaar number, photograph, and personal demographic information. Click to know more. 

What is Aadhaar Virtual ID?

Aadhaar Virtual ID is the alternative to the Aadhaar number. This virtual ID is a temporary code consisting of a 16-digit number generated against an Aadhaar number. Click here to know more.  

What is Aadhaar PVC?

The UIDAI introduced the latest form of Aadhaar, i.e. Aadhaar PVC card. Aadhaar cards can now be reprinted as Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) cards. Aadhaar PVC is easy to carry and durable, with multiple security features. It has a digitally signed secure QR code with a photograph and demographic details. Click here to know more.

List of Aadhaar Services

UIDAI provides a handful of Aadhaar-related services. Click here to know more. 

Link with Aadhaar

Linking your other documents with Aadhaar has become important to access various services and benefits. Here is the list of pages explaining ways to link card cards with different documents. 

• Link Aadhaar with Insurance Policies
• Link Aadhaar with PAN
• Link Aadhaar with UAN, PF
• Link Aadhaar with Voter ID
• Link Aadhaar with LPG Connection
• Link Aadhaar with Ration Card

Aadhaar Card Customer Care

Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), has introduced 24X7 IVR (Interactive voice response) services. With this service, you can call UIDAI’s toll-free number - 1947, to get information related to your Aadhaar card. 

The IVR service is available on all days from 07:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Mondays to Saturdays and from 08:00 a.m. to 05:00 p.m. on Sundays. However, it is not available on the three national holidays of 26 January, 15 August and 2 October. Click here, if you want more details.