The government has made the citizen identification Aadhaar card available for download from its website. The initiation of e-governance has made it possible to download the Aadhaar card from the official UIDAI website in various ways.

1. Aadhaar Card Download

E-governance was introduced in India with the aim to encourage transparency and reduce corruption. Most services offered by the government have become available digitally, including Aadhaar. The Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique identification number which is issued for all Indian citizens by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). Aadhaar serves as the identity proof and address proof of the individual throughout the nation. It is a one-time enrolment which lasts for a citizen’s lifetime.

Once an enrolment or update is made for the Aadhaar, the physical Aadhaar card is generated by the government and delivered to the individual’s postal address in a couple of weeks. However, with the initiation of e-governance, it is now possible to download a digital copy of the Aadhaar card via the UIDAI website or a facilitation center.

After downloading the digital copy of the Aadhaar card, it can be stored in the mobile phone and can also be printed. Both digital and physical copies of the Aadhaar card can be used as substitutes for the original Aadhaar card. It is known as the e-Aadhaar and is considered equally valid and acceptable for all purposes throughout India.

There are numerous ways to download the Aadhaar card from the UIDAI portal.

2. Download Aadhaar Card Using Aadhaar Number

Aadhaar card can be downloaded from the UIDAI website using the Aadhaar number of the individual. Before downloading, it is required for the individual to have their mobile number registered with the website because it will be required for verification by OTP.

The following steps can be followed to download Aadhaar card using Aadhaar number:

Step 1 – Go to the UIDAI common portal and click “My Aadhaar” then “Download Aadhaar”

Step 2 – Click on “Aadhaar Number” and enter the Aadhaar Number

Step 3 – Select “Regular Aadhaar” if you want to download the Aadhaar with its number completely visible. Select “Masked Aadhaar” if you want to download the Aadhaar with only the last four digits of its number visible and the rest hidden.

Step 4 – Enter the captcha code and click on “Request OTP”

Step 5 – Provide the confirmation in the pop-up window to receive the OTP on your mobile number

Step 6 – Upon receiving the OTP, enter it on the displayed page and click “Download Aadhaar”

Step 7 – The Aadhaar will be downloaded to your device. To open it, enter the 8-digit password. The first four digits of this password are the first four letters of your name in capital and the last four digits are your birth-year. Make sure to keep this Aadhaar safe.

3. Download Aadhaar Card Using Enrolment ID

In case, an individual does not have access to their Aadhaar number, they can download the Aadhaar card using their Enrolment ID. The following steps can be followed to download the e-Aadhaar using enrolment ID:

Step 1 –Go to the UIDAI common portal and click on “My Aadhaar” and then “Download Aadhaar”

Step 2 – Click on “Enrolment ID”

Step 3 – Select “Regular Aadhaar” if you want to download the Aadhaar with its number completely visible. Select “Masked Aadhaar” if you want to download the Aadhaar with only the last four digits of its number visible and the rest hidden.

Step 4 – Fill in the details including your 14-digit enrolment ID and the 14 digits of enrolment time and date

Step 5 – Verify the accuracy of the entered information and enter the captcha code. Click on “Request OTP” and then “Confirm”

Step 6 – Upon receiving the OTP, enter it on the displayed page and click “Download Aadhaar”

Step 7 – The Aadhaar card will then be downloaded to your device.

4. Download Aadhaar Card By Retrieving Aadhaar Number Through Name and D.O.B.

In case, an individual does not have access to their Aadhaar number and enrolment ID, they can download the e-Aadhaar by retrieving it through their name and date of birth registered with UIDAI by following these steps:

Step 1 – Go to this UIDAI website

Step 2 – Click on “Retrieve lost UID/EID”

Step 3 – Enter all your personal details including your e-mail address or registered mobile number

Step 4 – Enter the security code and click “Send OTP”

Step 5 – Enter the OTP you received and click on “Verify OTP”

Step 6 – A message will be displayed telling that your Aadhaar number was sent to your registered mobile number. Upon receiving the Aadhaar number, follow the steps for downloading Aadhaar using Aadhaar number.

5. Download Aadhaar Card Using Virtual ID

Aadhaar card can also be downloaded by using the 16-digit Virtual ID (VID). Firstly, the VID has to be generated through the UIDAI website and then the Aadhaar card can be downloaded.

In order to generate the virtual ID, the following steps can be followed:

Step 1 – Go to this UIDAI website

Step 2 – Click “Virtual ID (VID) Generator”

Step 3 – Enter the Aadhaar number and the security code

Step 4 – Click “Send OTP” and enter the OTP sent to your registered mobile number.

Step 5 – Select “Generate VID” and click “Submit”

Step 6 – The Virtual ID will be sent to the registered mobile number

Once the Virtual ID is generated, it can be used to download the e-Aadhaar by following these steps:

Step 1 – Go to the UIDAI website and click on “My Aadhaar” then “Download Aadhaar”

Step 2 – Click on “Virtual ID” and select “Regular Aadhaar” or “Masked Aadhaar”, as preferred

Step 3 – Fill in the details including your 16-digit virtual ID

Step 4 – Enter the captcha code. Click on “Send OTP” and then “Confirm”

Step 5 – Enter the OTP you received on your registered mobile number and click “Download Aadhaar”

Step 6 – The Aadhaar card will then be downloaded to your device.

It is extremely important to always follow the precaution of not sharing Aadhaar details with unknown entities because of the risk of it being misused. Although this facility of downloading and using the e-Aadhaar card is a remarkable aid, but it is important to keep it safe.