A well-defined identification system is a necessity in any country. The diversification of the population based on factors like caste, colour, religion, etc., can make it exceedingly hard to distinguish one individual from another. The central government of India acknowledged the need for a system that would help every Indian citizen with a universal identity. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) was established in 2009 that went ahead to launch the brand name and logo of Aadhaar in April 2010. Since then, the UIDAI has issued a total of 131.68 crore Aadhaar cards in the country. The primary objective of the Aadhaar initiative undertaken by UIDAI is to compile the demographic and biometric information of all applicants and store it in a centralized government database.
The Aadhaar card qualifies as one of the most important pieces of document for Indian citizens and is a must-have in the present world. It includes a unique 12-digit identification number and can be used as identity as well as resident proof. This article gives you a complete view of the Aadhaar download process and some of its most apparent benefits. So, without further ado, let’s dive in.
Key Takeaways
- Applying for an Aadhaar Card is completely voluntary.
- The Aadhaar download process can be completed online through the website or the mobile application.
- Aadhaar can be applied by an Indian citizen, a foreigner residing in India, and a non-resident residing in India.
- The data entered by applicants are thoroughly assessed and verified by UIDAI.
- The UIDAI holds the authority to reject an application if the main or supporting documents are not verified.
The Benefits of Downloading Aadhaar Card
The Aadhaar download process can allow applicants to get a digital version of the document. It consists of all the information that is otherwise available on the physical version of the identification. This information would include your UIN number, name, photograph, date of birth, and gender. The validity of an E-Aadhaar is equal to the physical version of the document as per UIDAI. Here is a look at some of the benefits of Aadhaar Card download:
- Seamless accessibility: The downloaded version of the Aadhaar card can be accessed anytime and anywhere. All that you need is an internet connection.
- Minimize the risk of loss: When you download the Aadhaar card, you alleviate the risk of losing it or the constant need to carry it around. The risk of losing a physical document is high, especially while travelling.
- Safe and secure: The digital version of the Aadhaar card is secured with a password; therefore, you don’t have to worry about misuse.
- Digital adoption: With the entire world making the shift towards digital, E-Aadhaar is an ideal way to adopt digital in the routine. Moreover, with UIDAI giving E-Aadhaar the same level of validity as its physical counterpart, one can use it as a valid ID and address proof while filing for IT returns, opening a new bank account, applying, or renewing the passport, acquiring a loan, and more.
- Government benefits: One of the most significant benefits of Aadhaar download is that it can be used to avail of a plethora of schemes and benefits put forth by the government, such as LPG subsidy.
Did You Know
People with eye ailments (complete or partial blindness) can also enrol for an Aadhaar card.
How to Download Aadhaar Card Online?
Before getting started with the download process, you will need the Aadhaar and Enrollment/Virtual ID (EID) Number. Here are the steps that can help you download an Aadhaar card online:
Step 1: Visit the official portal of UIDAI
Step 2: Click on ‘My Aadhaar’
Step 3: From the Get Aadhaar subsection, select the option ‘Download Aadhaar’
Step 4: Once you reach the next screen, look for the section named ‘I Have’ and select Enrollment ID, Aadhaar Number, or Virtual ID, depending on the information that you already have
Step 5: The next step will require you to fill your 16 digit VID, 12 digit UID, or the 14 digit EID number along with the time values as mentioned in the enrollment slip
Step 6: In the next part of the process, you can opt to get a masked Aadhaar. A masked Aadhaar will allow you to hide the first eight digits in your Aadhaar card number.
Step 7: Input the security code and click on ‘Send OTP’
Step 8: You will receive a one-time password on your registered mobile number. The final step would require you to enter the OTP and click on ‘Download Aadhaar’
How to Link PAN Card with Aadhaar Card?
Linking your Aadhaar Card with your PAN has become a mandatory process. It facilitates income tax returns and is requisite to carry out banking transactions of INR 50,000 and above. Here are some steps that you can follow to link your PAN with Aadhaar.
- Open the following portal: https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/
- Register on the portal and use your PAN Card as your user id. You can log in by inputting your password, date of birth, and User ID
- You will see a pop-up window that will prompt you to link your Aadhaar with your PAN Card
- You will see your personal details, including your name, gender, and date of birth. Verify the details mentioned on your PAN Card with your Aadhaar. In situations of a mismatch, you will need to fix the errors in either of the documents.
- Once you feel that the details are identical, you can enter your Aadhaar number and click on ‘link-now.’
- As soon as you click on link-now, you will see a pop-up message saying that you have successfully linked your PAN Card with your Aadhaar card.
Check Aadhaar Download Status
To check the download status of your Aadhaar card, simply visit the online website https://myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in/. You can input your enrollment number along with your pin code and full name. The one-timeone time password is received on the registered mobile number, which can be entered to check the download status of your document.
Another way to check the download status of your Aadhaar card is with the help of a time-based OTP (TOTP). A TOTP can be generated with the help of the m-Aadhaar mobile application.
Words to Remember
Unique Identification Number (UIN): The 12-digit unique identification number that is issued to every individual by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI)
TOTP: Time-based One Time Password is a temporary numeric code that is valid for only a period of thirty seconds.
Conclusion
The global transition to digital and proliferation of the internet in urban as well as rural areas of the country have led to the mass adoption of e-Aadhaar across the nation. Furthermore, the ease of the Aadhaar download process has made it seamless for people to not just download but also link their documents online. The advent of the e-Aadhaar has allowed the masses to carry their identification within their smartphones and enhanced the level of convenience, especially for the older population.
FAQs
Registering your mobile number with UIDAI is mandatory to download the Aadhaar card.
A masked Aadhaar card is an option that can be availed by anyone downloading the Aadhaar card. It masks the first 8 digits of the Aadhaar number with characters like XXXXXXXX and only shows the last four digits.
The password of your e-Aadhaar is the first four letters of your name in CAPS, followed by the year of birth.
e-Aadhaar is the digital version, whereas Aadhaar is tangible. Both are equally valid for use as identification and address proof.
The Aadhaar card is valid for the entire lifetime.
Also Read: How to Apply for Duplicate Aadhaar at Investment Simplified
