Aadhaar Card – How to Apply for Aadhar Card? Aadhar Services & Information Online

Aadhaar card ( आधार कार्ड ) is a unique identification number issued to every resident of India. An Aadhaar card is as significant as a PAN card. Most organisations, including mutual fund houses, accept it as a part of the documentation for investments. Let’s understand Aadhaar and its significance in detail.

Aadhaar Latest Updates

The last date to link your PAN with your Aadhaar is 31st March 2022

Government Allows Offline Aadhaar Verification

Aadhaar Card Overview

Aadhaar is a 12-digit number generated based on factors such as demographic and biometric data specific to each individual. The statutory body for Aadhaar is the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), Government of India.

UIDAI was established in the year 2016 with a mission to provide excellent, efficient and transparent governance to the people of India. It has the following components:

Name Of Aadhaar Issuing Authority	Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI)
Aadhaar Customer Care Number	1947
Inception of Aadhaar Card	September 2010
Validity Of Aadhaar Card	Lifetime
Number Of Enrolment Centers	More than 30,000
Number Of Enrolments	119 crore (approximate)
Key people	J. Satyanaraya, IAS, Chairman, UIDAI Pankaj Kumar, IAS, CEO, UIDAI

Aadhaar Card Eligibility

The eligibility for an Aadhaar card is :

• Any resident of India (newborns/minors) is eligible for an Aadhaar card. While the Aadhaar card is for adults, Baal Aadhaar is for children below five years
• NRIs and foreigners staying in India for more than 12 months are eligible for the Aadhaar. It is proposed to issue an Aadhaar card for non-resident Indians with Indian passports after their arrival in India without waiting for 180 days.

Documents Required for Aadhaar Card

Aadhaar requires two types of documents – Proof of Address (POA) and Proof of Identity (POI). The following documents are sufficient to meet the criteria:

Proof of identification (POI)	Proof of address (POA)
Pan card	Passport
Certificate of Birth	Ration/PDS card
	Voter identification card
	Driving licence

How to Enroll for Aadhaar

Steps to enroll for Aadhaar Card

• Find an Aadhaar enrolment centre by visiting the official website.
• Fill the form with the requested details.
• Submit the required documents.
• Provide your biometrics (fingerprint and iris scan).
• Get the enrolment acknowledgement slip.
• The Aadhaar enrolment is voluntary and free of cost.

Baal-Aadhaar

An Aadhaar card issued to a newborn/minor child is known as a ‘Baal Aadhaar’ card. It is blue in colour and does not include the biometric information like fingerprints and iris scan of the cardholder, unlike the card for adults.

• Visit the UIDAI website and find the nearest enrolment centre with a copy of the child’s birth certificate.
• One of the child’s parents must compulsorily provide their Aadhaar number for authentication. Baal Aadhaar will be linked to the parents Aadhaar.
• Fill up Baal Aadhar application form with all relevant details along with a mobile number that you wish to register Baal Adhaar with
• A photograph of the child/ minor will be taken. If the child is below 5 years of age, no biometrics will be recorded
• After completing the above steps, collect the acknowledgment slip
• A verification SMS will be sent to the mobile number provided in the application form, after which Baal Aadhar will be dispatched to the designated address

Check Aadhaar card Status

To check Aadhaar card status, log into the official UIDAI website, click on ‘Check Aadhaar Status’ under the Aadhaar enrolment tab. Enter your enrolment number which is printed on the acknowledge slip to check the current status of your Aadhaar card. /span>  

Download/Print Aadhaar card

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

Aadhaar Card Verification

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

Step 1: Log on to the official UIDAI website.

Step 2: Click on the tab ‘My Aadhaar’, select the option ‘Verify an Aadhaar Number’ under the ‘Aadhaar services’ heading.

Step 3: Select ‘Verify Aadhaar’ present on the page.

Step 4: Enter the unique 12-digit Aadhaar number.

Step 5: Enter the one-time password (OTP) that you will receive on your registered mobile phone.

Step 6: Submit the application.
If there is a mismatch in details, you can call UIDAI toll-free number – 1947 for rectification.

How to Update/Edit Aadhaar?

The two main reasons to update Aadhaar card details are:

• Change in demographic data such as name, age, and marital status.
• Biometric Aadhaar data.

You need a copy of the supporting document (POI/POA) to update details. The update can be done by visiting the Aadhaar Enrolment Centre or logging on to the UIDAI website to update the Adhar online.

Aadhaar Virtual ID

Aadhaar Virtual ID is the alternative to Aadhaar number. This virtual ID is a temporary code which consists of a 16-digit number that is generated against an Aadhaar number. Bear in mind that the virtual ID under no situation can be used to retrieve the original Aadhaar card. Only one virtual ID is generated against an Aadhaar number, and it can be generated as many times as the user wants.

Frequently Asked Questions

What to do if you lose your Aadhaar card?

If you have lost/misplaced your Aadhaar card, do not worry. You can get a duplicate Aadhaar card by downloading the PDF/e-Aadhaar online by visiting the UIDAI website and accessing the Aadhaar online services.

For how long is the Aadhaar card valid?

The Aadhaar card/number is valid for life.

Can the Aadhaar card be made online?

No, the Aadhaar enrolment is a one-time physical procedure that can be done at any Aadhaar enrolment centre. To find the Aadhaar enrolment centre near you, visit the UIDAI website and search Aadhaar enrolment centre.

What is the purpose of having an Aadhaar Card?

Aadhaar is a unique identification number that enables each resident of India with the following:

• Proof of Identity
• Proof of Address
• Access to government subsidy
• Eligibility to open and operate bank accounts
• Processing and filing income tax returns
• Phone connection
• Gas connection
• eKYC for mutual fund investments
• Aadhaar for eKYC (Know Your Customer)

What is Aadhaar Authentication?

Aadhaar Authentication is a method of verification where Aadhaar details of an individual are submitted to UIDAI and cross verified to enable cardholders to avail services and benefits from the service provider. Aadhaar for eKYC is a large service requirement from many service providers and has enormous benefits for the user and government as well. Here’s why :

The eKYC process is paperless, enabling a service provider to manage documents quickly and efficiently.

• Quick The Aadhaar cardholder can share information with a service provider through a secure channel within minutes, thus eliminating long waiting periods that physical documents would generally require
• Secure UIDAI shares only tamper-proof digital documents through secured channels, thereby protecting the holder’s information. These documents cannot be forged. It cannot be used without the consent of both the service provider and Aadhaar holder.
• Consent-based UIDAI shares information with a service provider only after UIDAI receives explicit consent from the Aadhaar holder in the form of a biometric or OTP acknowledgement.
• Authorised Information shared by UIDAI contains authenticated data making it legal and acceptable for the parties involved in the transaction.
• Cost friendly The entire system is paperless and online, eliminating the physical movement of information and making it a cost-effective and time-saving process.

What is a Plastic/PVC Adhar card?

Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has made an official statement informing all Aadhaar cardholders to avoid making plastic/PVC Adhaar cards. These cards are not recognised as most often the QR code becomes dysfunctional due to the printing errors.
UIDAI reconfirms that original Aadhaar card issued or downloaded versions of Aadhaar printed on ordinary paper or mAadhaar are valid and people should avoid the so-called ‘Aadhaar smart card’.

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