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

An Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to eligible individuals. It is a proof of identity and can be used for identity verification and authentication for various government and private-sector services. Aadhaar does not confer citizenship or domicile.

Aadhaar Card - Overview

Eligibility for 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) and, where applicable, Proof of Relationship (PoR). Applicants must present the applicable original documents at the Aadhaar Enrolment Centre for verification and scanning. UIDAI returns the original documents after enrolment.

How to Book an Aadhaar Card Appointment Online?

You can book a free online appointment with an Aadhaar Seva Kendra (ASK) for Aadhaar enrolment or update. UIDAI allows you to book an appointment for yourself or a family member without requiring the Aadhaar-registered mobile number.

Step 1: Visit the official UIDAI Book Appointment portal.

Step 2: Select the Aadhaar Seva Kendra and choose the service you need, such as new enrolment or Aadhaar update.

Step 3: Enter your mobile number and captcha, then verify the OTP received on the entered mobile number.

Step 4: Enter the required details and select a convenient date and time slot.

Step 5: Confirm the appointment and save the appointment details/confirmation.

Step 6: Visit the selected Aadhaar Seva Kendra at the scheduled time with the required original documents. Appointment booking itself is free; applicable Aadhaar service charges are payable separately.

Note: You can also reschedule or cancel an appointment before 24 hours by logging into the appointment portal using the same mobile number or email ID used for booking.

How to Enrol for Aadhaar?

Aadhaar enrolment is completed in person at an authorised Aadhaar Enrolment Centre. Carry the required original supporting documents, complete the enrolment form, provide your demographic and biometric information, and collect the acknowledgement slip containing your Enrolment ID (EID). New Aadhaar enrolment is free of charge.

Step 1: Visit an authorised Aadhaar Enrolment Centre with the required original documents.

Step 2: Fill out the Aadhaar Enrolment Form and submit it to the operator along with the applicable Proof of Identity (PoI), Proof of Address (PoA), Proof of Relationship (PoR) and Proof of Date of Birth (PDB) documents. For Head of Family (HoF)-based enrolment, the applicable PoR document is used.

Step 3: Verify that your demographic details—including name, date of birth, gender and address—have been entered correctly in English and the regional language before signing the acknowledgement.

Step 4: The operator captures your photograph, fingerprints and both iris scans. For children below 5 years, only the child's photograph is captured; the parent or legal guardian provides the required authentication for HoF-based enrolment.

Step 5: Collect your original documents and the acknowledgement slip containing the EID, which you can use to track your enrolment status.

How to Enrol for Baal Aadhaar?

Take the child to an authorised Aadhaar Enrolment Centre with the required documents and the Aadhaar of the parent or legal guardian, as applicable. For a child below 5 years, the child's photograph is captured, while the parent or legal guardian provides the required biometric authentication. For children aged 5 years and above, the child's photograph, fingerprints and iris scans are captured.

For a child born on or after 1 October 2023, the birth certificate is mandatory for Aadhaar enrolment. New Aadhaar enrolment is free.

How to Update Aadhaar?

The Aadhaar card update process is available through online UIDAI services, the Aadhaar App and Aadhaar Enrolment/Update Centres, depending on the type of update. 

• Address and document updates can be completed online through myAadhaar, while updates such as name, date of birth, gender and biometric details generally require a visit to an Aadhaar Enrolment/Update Centre. 
• The Aadhaar App also supports selected update services, including address and mobile number updates.

Check Aadhaar Card Status

You can check the status of a new Aadhaar enrolment or an Aadhaar update request through UIDAI's online services. To check enrolment status, you can use your Enrolment ID (EID) or Service ID (SID). A registered mobile number is not required for every Aadhaar status-check service.

Download/Print the Aadhaar card

You can download e-Aadhaar online through UIDAI's MyAadhaar portal or the mAadhaar App using your Aadhaar Number, Enrolment ID (EID) or Virtual ID (VID). e-Aadhaar is a valid form of Aadhaar and is equally valid as the physical Aadhaar letter.

Aadhaar Card Verification

UIDAI provides an online Verify Aadhaar Number service to check whether an Aadhaar number is valid and has not been deactivated.

I. Verify Aadhaar Using the mAadhaar App

Open the mAadhaar App and select the Verify Aadhaar service. Enter the Aadhaar number and complete the verification to check whether the Aadhaar is valid and active.

A registered mobile number is not required to use the Verify Aadhaar service on mAadhaar.

II. Verify Aadhaar Using QR Code

You can verify an Aadhaar presented to you by scanning its secure QR code using the official Aadhaar QR Code Scanner or mAadhaar App. The QR code contains digitally signed Aadhaar details that can be used to verify the document.

Aadhaar e-KYC

Aadhaar e-KYC (electronic Know Your Customer) is a paperless identity verification service that enables authorised entities to verify an Aadhaar holder’s identity electronically with the holder’s consent. UIDAI can provide digitally signed e-KYC information after successful authentication, enabling paperless KYC.

Aadhaar also supports Paperless Offline e-KYC, where the Aadhaar holder downloads a digitally signed XML containing selected identity details and shares it with a service provider for offline verification. The document is digitally signed by UIDAI, allowing the service provider to verify its authenticity without requiring the Aadhaar number to be stored.

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.

What is Aadhaar Virtual ID?

Aadhaar Virtual ID (VID) is a temporary, revocable 16-digit number that is mapped to an Aadhaar number. It can be used instead of the Aadhaar number for authentication or e-KYC where VID is supported, helping reduce the need to share the actual Aadhaar number. A VID can be generated, retrieved and replaced through UIDAI's available services.

List of Aadhaar Services

UIDAI provides various Aadhaar services through its myAadhaar portal, Aadhaar App and Aadhaar Seva Kendras. Key services include:

• Book an Appointment: Schedule an appointment at an Aadhaar Seva Kendra for Aadhaar enrolment or update.
• Aadhaar Enrolment: Apply for a new Aadhaar by visiting an authorised enrolment centre.
• Aadhaar Update: Update eligible demographic and biometric details through the available online, app-based or centre-based services.
• Aadhaar Status: Check the status of an enrolment or update request.
• Download e-Aadhaar: Download a digital copy of Aadhaar using your Aadhaar number, Enrolment ID (EID) or Virtual ID (VID).
• Aadhaar Authentication History: View records of Aadhaar authentication transactions.
• Aadhaar Verification: Verify whether an Aadhaar number is valid and active.
• Biometric Lock/Unlock: Lock or temporarily unlock Aadhaar biometrics used for authentication.
• VID Services: Generate, retrieve or use a Virtual ID (VID) instead of sharing the Aadhaar number for supported authentication services.
• Aadhaar PVC Card: Order an Aadhaar PVC Card through UIDAI's online services.
• Offline e-KYC: Download and share digitally signed Aadhaar information for offline identity verification. 

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

UIDAI's toll-free 1947 is the primary telephone support channel for Aadhaar-related queries and grievances. The service has two components, 24×7 self-service IVRS and assistance from Contact Centre Executives.

• Contact Centre Executive assistance is available from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM, Monday to Saturday, and 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Sundays, except on 26 January, 15 August and 2 October. 
• UIDAI provides telephone support in 12 languages: Hindi, English, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Marathi, Punjabi and Odia.

Benefits of Aadhaar

Aadhaar provides a secure and portable digital identity that can simplify identity verification and access to various government and private-sector services.

• Efficient Service Delivery: Aadhaar-based identification and authentication can help government agencies deliver notified benefits and services efficiently.
• Simplified KYC: Aadhaar can be used for KYC and identity verification where Aadhaar-based KYC is permitted.
• Identity Verification: Aadhaar supports demographic, biometric and OTP-based authentication, depending on the service.
• Digital Access: Aadhaar enables access to various digital identity and authentication services through UIDAI's online platforms and mobile applications.
• Portability: Aadhaar provides a portable form of identity that can be authenticated across India, subject to the applicable service and authentication requirements.

Keeping your Aadhaar details accurate and updated helps ensure smooth authentication and service delivery. You can enrol, update details, check status, download e-Aadhaar and access other Aadhaar services through UIDAI’s official channels.