In today’s digital age, having a physical copy of important documents like your Aadhaar card is not always convenient. Fortunately, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) provides a solution – the e-Aadhaar card. This digital version of your Aadhaar card can be easily downloaded and printed from the UIDAI’s official website.
In this article, we will guide you through the process of downloading and printing your e-Aadhaar card, ensuring that you have a valid proof of identity for various purposes.
What is e-Aadhaar?
e-Aadhaar is a secure electronic document issued by the UIDAI, which contains all the demographic and biometric information of the Aadhaar card holder. This includes details such as name, date of birth, address, photograph, and fingerprints.
The e-Aadhaar card is considered equivalent to a physical Aadhaar card and is available for download in PDF format from the UIDAI website. It can be used as valid proof of identity for various purposes, including opening a bank account, applying for a loan, and availing government services.
How to Download an e-Aadhaar Card Online?
Downloading your e-Aadhaar card online is a simple and quick process. Just follow the steps below:
- Visit the UIDAI Aadhaar website.
- Go to the “Download Aadhaar” section under “My Services” on the home page.
- You will see an image with three options: Aadhaar number, Enrollment number, or Virtual ID (VID).
- Choose the mode that applies to you and enter the required details.
- Select whether you want to download a regular Aadhaar card or a masked Aadhaar card (m-Aadhaar).
- Choose to generate an OTP on your registered mobile number or generate a TOTP (Time-based One-Time Password) on the mobile app.
- Once the OTP or TOTP is authenticated, your e-Aadhaar card will be downloaded.
- To open the downloaded file, you will need to enter a password.
- The password for your e-Aadhaar card is a combination of 8 alphanumeric characters. The first four letters are the first letters of your name (as per Aadhaar or as mentioned in the enrollment form), followed by the last four digits of your year of birth.
For example, if your name is Rahul Kumar and your date of birth is 24.10.1994, then the password for your e-Aadhaar card download will be “RAHU1994“.
What is UIDAI’s Secure QR?
The e-Aadhaar card issued by UIDAI contains a secure QR code that enhances the security of the document. The QR code includes the demographic details of the Aadhaar card holder, along with their photograph.
There are two QR codes on the e-Aadhaar card – a small one on the front side with demographic data only, and a larger one on the top of the front and rear side of the cutaway portion, which includes demographic details and photographs.
What Information is Contained in the Secure QR Code?
Both QR codes on the e-Aadhaar card contain demographic information such as name, date of birth, address, gender, and a masked Aadhaar number. The larger QR code also includes the photograph of the cardholder.
How to Read the Secure QR Codes on e-Aadhaar?
To read the digitally signed QR codes on your e-Aadhaar card, you can use UIDAI’s window-based application and validate it against UIDAI digital signatures. The application can be downloaded from the UIDAI website.
Currently, commercially available models in the market that can read UIDAI QR codes include Zebra (DS-2200), TVS BS-1201N barcode scanner, Syga Barcode Scanner (S005), and Honeywell (Xenon-1900).
Who Can Use the Secure QR Code of an e-Aadhaar Card?
The facility to use the secure QR code of e-Aadhaar cards for offline verification is available to anyone, whether they are an Aadhaar card holder or a user/service agency (AUA, Banks, KUA’s, etc.). The new QR code was implemented on February 20, 2018, and the QR code reader client became available on March 27, 2018, on the UIDAI website.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I download an e-Aadhaar?
To download your e-Aadhaar card online, follow these steps:
Visit the UIDAI website uidai.gov.in.
Click on the “Download Aadhaar” option.
Select the Aadhaar option under the “I Have” section.
Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number.
Enter the captcha verification code and click on the “Send OTP” option to receive a one-time password on your mobile number.
Enter the OTP received.
Click on “Verify and Download” to download your e-Aadhaar card.
Can I download an Aadhaar card online without a mobile number?
Yes, you can download your Aadhaar card online if you have your enrollment ID.
How can I register my mobile number in an Aadhaar card online?
To register your mobile number in your Aadhaar card online, follow these steps:
Visit the Aadhaar enrollment centre.
Fill out the Aadhaar correction form.
Provide the correct mobile number that needs to be updated on your Aadhaar card.
Submit the form and provide your biometric data for verification.
Keep the acknowledgement slip for future reference.
What information is available on the e-Aadhaar card?
The e-Aadhaar card contains all the information originally available on your physical Aadhaar card, including your Aadhaar number, name, date of birth, address, father’s name, photograph, and gender.