Aadhaar Card 2026
Every Service — One Complete Guide

All Aadhaar Services at a Glance — Quick Reference

How to Download Your e-Aadhaar — Free, 2 Minutes

1. 1
   Visit myaadhaar.uidai.gov.inGo to the official portal. Click "Download Aadhaar" from the services section. Never use third-party sites.
2. 2
   Enter Aadhaar or Enrolment IDEnter your 12-digit Aadhaar number (or 28-digit Enrolment ID from your enrolment slip if Aadhaar is not yet generated).
3. 3
   Verify with OTPEnter the CAPTCHA and click "Send OTP". An OTP is sent to your registered mobile number. Enter it to proceed.
4. 4
   Download PDFClick "Download Aadhaar". The PDF downloads immediately. It is password protected — open it using: first 4 letters of your name in CAPS + birth year (e.g., RAJE1990 for Rajesh born in 1990).

How to Link Aadhaar to Bank Account, PAN & Mobile

Link to Bank Account (For Receiving Government Payments)

• Via SMS: Type UID<space>AADHAAR<space>ACCOUNT to 567676 from your registered mobile (for select banks)
• Via Net Banking: Login → My Profile → Link Aadhaar → Enter Aadhaar → OTP verification
• At Bank Branch: Submit a written application with Aadhaar copy — most reliable method. Done within 3 working days.
• At ATM: Some banks allow Aadhaar seeding at their ATM — check your bank's ATM menu

Link Aadhaar to PAN (Mandatory — Deadline Extended to December 2025)

• Visit incometax.gov.in → Quick Links → Link Aadhaar
• Enter PAN and Aadhaar number → pay ₹1,000 penalty fee (waived earlier, now chargeable)
• Verify with OTP → linking completes in 3–7 days
• Without PAN-Aadhaar linkage, PAN becomes inoperative — you cannot file returns or open demat accounts

Update Mobile Number in Aadhaar

Mobile number update requires biometric verification — it cannot be done online. Visit the nearest Aadhaar Seva Kendra (find at appointments.uidai.gov.in) with your Aadhaar card. The update costs ₹50 and is done instantly at the centre using your fingerprint or iris scan.

Protect Your Aadhaar — Lock Biometrics and Use Virtual ID

Lock Your Biometrics (Prevent Misuse)

You can lock your biometrics (fingerprint and iris) so they cannot be used to authenticate your Aadhaar without your permission. This prevents fraudulent use of your biometrics if someone tries to misuse your Aadhaar at a ration shop or elsewhere:

• Visit myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in → "Lock/Unlock Biometrics"
• Login with OTP → Enable Biometric Lock → Confirm with OTP
• Your biometrics are immediately locked — no one can use fingerprint/iris for Aadhaar authentication
• Temporarily unlock before visiting ration shop, Aadhaar centre, or any place needing biometric — then lock again

Virtual ID (VID) — Share Without Exposing Aadhaar Number

A Virtual ID is a 16-digit temporary number that can be used instead of your Aadhaar number for authentication — it performs all functions but does not reveal your actual Aadhaar number:

• Generate at myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in → "Generate Virtual ID"
• Use VID when a service provider asks for Aadhaar number for verification
• You can regenerate a new VID at any time — the old one becomes invalid
• Use VID for hotel check-ins, SIM card purchases, background verifications

mAadhaar App — All Services on Your Phone

The official UIDAI mAadhaar app (available free on Android and iOS) puts all Aadhaar services in your pocket:

• Carry Aadhaar on phone — stored digitally, accepted everywhere
• Share QR code — tap to share your Aadhaar QR for offline verification
• Generate VID — instantly from the app
• Lock/Unlock biometrics — from the app with OTP
• Face authentication — authenticate using face instead of fingerprint for eKYC services
• TOTP (Time-based OTP) — generate 8-digit TOTP for Aadhaar authentication without mobile network
• Nearby Aadhaar centres — find nearest enrolment and update centres

Frequently Asked Questions — Verified 2026

• I don't have my mobile number registered on Aadhaar — how to download?+
  Without a registered mobile, online download requires face authentication via the mAadhaar app. Download mAadhaar, go to "Download Aadhaar" → use "Face Auth" option → your face is matched against UIDAI records. Alternatively, visit an Aadhaar Seva Kendra for a printout, or first update your mobile number at the centre for ₹50.
• How many times can I update my address in Aadhaar?+
  There is no limit on address updates. You can update your Aadhaar address as many times as needed when you move. Each update requires a valid proof of the new address. Updates are free online and cost ₹50 at an Aadhaar centre.
• Is it safe to share my Aadhaar photocopy?+
  Use Masked Aadhaar when sharing photocopies — it shows only the last 4 digits. Always write the purpose on the photocopy (e.g., "For hotel check-in on DD/MM/YYYY") to prevent misuse. Never share your full Aadhaar number with unknown entities. If you suspect misuse, check your authentication history on myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in.
• How to find the nearest Aadhaar Seva Kendra?+
  Visit appointments.uidai.gov.in to find all Aadhaar Seva Kendras near your PIN code. You can also book an appointment online to avoid waiting. India Post offices also offer Aadhaar services at select locations — check indiapost.gov.in for participating post offices.
• How to lock Aadhaar biometrics to prevent fraud?+
  Visit myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in → "Lock/Unlock Biometrics" → Login with OTP → Enable Biometric Lock → Confirm with OTP. Once locked, your fingerprint and iris cannot be used for authentication anywhere. Temporarily unlock before visiting a ration shop, Aadhaar centre, or any biometric-verification point — then lock again immediately after.
• What is Virtual ID (VID) and when should I use it?+
  Virtual ID is a 16-digit temporary number that replaces your Aadhaar number for all verification purposes — without revealing your actual Aadhaar number. Generate it at myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in → "Generate Virtual ID". Use it when a service provider asks for your Aadhaar number — for hotel check-ins, SIM card purchases, background verifications. You can regenerate a new VID anytime; the old one becomes invalid.
• Can I update my name or date of birth in Aadhaar?+
  Name and date of birth corrections can only be done at an Aadhaar Seva Kendra — not online. You will need to submit supporting documents: for name change, a gazette notification or marriage certificate; for DOB change, a birth certificate or school leaving certificate. The update costs ₹50 and takes 30–90 days. Note that UIDAI allows name change only once and DOB change only once on Aadhaar.
• How to check if someone is misusing my Aadhaar?+
  Visit myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in → "Aadhaar Authentication History" to see a complete log of every time your Aadhaar was authenticated — when, where, and by which agency. If you see any unfamiliar authentication, report it immediately to UIDAI at 1947. Also lock your biometrics right away and file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in if you suspect identity theft.

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