As commented by the World Bank, the Aadhaar card of India stands as the most unique and creative National ID system in the world, at present. So what is Aadhaar and why is it so unique? Also, how can you get it? Let’s find out answers to all these questions!
Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique ID number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) by verifying an individual’s vital biometric details such as iris scan and fingerprints, along with important demographic information like date of birth and permanent address.
This card is a one-in-all purpose identification proof for every residential Indian, but should not be confused as the proof of citizenship, as clearly mentioned behind the card. The 12-digit unique number is different for every individual and, therefore, an easy centralised unit to identify and verify residential Indians and provide them with public services.
On the official website of UIDAI, you will see a section “My Aadhaar” where you can find ample information about the Aadhaar card, and we are going to discuss all the important things you can know from “My Aadhaar”.
Key Takeaways
- Aadhaar is the centralised free 12-digit unique identification number given to Indian residents as a government-issued proof of identity by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).
- It is very crucial to know all the details about Aadhaar and how it validates as a proof of identity for individuals in order to properly maintain its status.
- The UIDAI website is the key source of all details regarding the Aadhaar card.
How To Download My Aadhaar?
Under the “My Aadhaar” section, you will be able to download the electronic version of your Aadhaar Card i.e ‘My E-Aadhaar Card’. An e-Aadhaar is the same as a physical Aadhaar card. It is equally valid as proof of identity. So, now the question arises, what are the steps that I need to follow to get my Aadhaar in the electronic form? Follow the below-mentioned steps.
- The first step would be to keep my Aadhaar card nearby for easy access.
- If I haven’t yet received my Aadhaar card in hard copy form, I will keep my Aadhaar enrolment number handy.
- The next step would be to visit the UIDAI official website and find the “Aadhaar Online Services” section.
- In this section, I would enter my Aadhaar Card number/Aadhaar enrolment number, my name, my area PIN code and my security code, as asked.
- Then, I would request for an OTP in my registered number, and after receiving it, I would enter that on the website wherever asked for.
- Now, I will receive the downloadable PDF of my Aadhaar card. But downloading would need a password, which will be the first four letters of my name in caps and my year of birth. For example:- Say, Ms. Sarita was born in the year 1990, then her password would be SARI1990.
Did You Know?
According to Saurabh Garg, the CEO of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), an approx of Rs. 131 Crore Aadhaar cards have been issued in India since its launch back in 2010.
How To Check the Status of My Aadhaar?
Quite similar to the above procedure, if I need to check my Aadhaar card status, I would need to go to the UIDAI website and check “My Aadhaar” section, under which the “check Aadhaar status” section flashes. This section contains different sections relevant to Aadhaar related details like “Retrieve EID Number”, “Verify Email/Mobile” and “Locate Enrolment Centre”.
Locate A Centre To Get My Aadhaar
In the above-mentioned section “Locate Enrolment Centre”, all the details of your recent residential address or a permanent address have to be entered properly in order to accurately locate nearby active Aadhaar enrolment centres.
Children above the age of 15 years who want to enrol for a new Aadhaar card would need to register their demographic and biometric information like iris scan, fingerprints and a live photograph for the Aadhaar card to process. This process would require them to visit an enrolment centre too. So, valid address details need to be entered in this section.
Did You Know?
Aadhaar Scheme was launched on 29 September 2010 in Tembhli, a village in the Nandurbar district of Maharashtra, India with Ranjana Sonawane becoming the first person who was issued an Aadhaar Card.
How To Update My Aadhaar Card?
The Aadhaar Card was created in a rush and many people had received their Aadhaar cards with mistakes in important details like name spelling and DOB. It cannot stay like that for the rest of your life. You might need to update it. You can update your name, gender, Date of Birth (DoB), permanent or current address and the medium language through the “Update Aadhaar” service section. It is important that you have your mobile number linked to your Aadhaar card prior to updating other details.
This process requires your registered mobile number as a recovery medium in case you have misplaced or forgotten your enrolment ID number. That is required to log in into this page and make the required changes.
Final Thoughts
Aadhaar is your go-to document, which is absolutely free of cost and completely backed by the central government as a valid proof of identity for all Indian citizens.
Under the section “My Aaadhaar” check all the necessary details and statuses related to Aadhaar. Remember to always keep your Aadhaar up-to-date by checking its status and other details through the UIDAI website.
Go and get your Aadhaar Card updated now!
Words To Remember
Direct Benefit Transfer – This is a special feature of the Aadhaar status given as a subsidy by the government. It is a feature to improve the system of subsidy payment.
Virtual ID (VID) – It is a 16-digit unique number which is generated by the UIDAI system from time to time. It serves as a temporary KYC to different institutions when and where needed.
FAQs
In case you do not possess the Aadhaar linked number, you need to visit your nearest Aadhaar Seva Kendra to update your current mobile number. Without a linked mobile number, you cannot update your Aadhaar card details.
Since your bank details are not shared by your bank upon linking Aadhaar and PAN cards, UIDAI does not have access to the bank details of any individual. Similarly, nobody can get access to your bank details just by knowing your Aadhaar number.
Even if you link your mobile number with your Aadhaar, the bank account(s) registered with the same does not show up in the UIDAI’s Aadhaar log system. Aadhaar can only be used as proof of identity and does not make you vulnerable to any such organisation that might ask for valid identity proof.
Even if you don’t have a complete set of ten fingerprints or two irises, the system will register you. The system can handle such cases.
Biometric locking is a feature that comes with the Aadhaar on the UIDAI website, where a registered person can temporarily lock or unlock their biometric information. This is a privacy feature provided to registered Indians to strengthen the individual confidentiality of the registered resident.
You can apply for a new PVC Aadhaar Card through the UIDAI website for a nominal amount of fee. You would require to have a mobile number which is registered under the Aadhaar system.
You can download an app called mAadhaar on your mobile phone which can help you avail all the facilities of the UIDAI website through your phone. It is also known as My Aadhaar App.
What is the max limit for updating certain information on My Aadhaar Card?
Following are the limits applicable for updates on the details:
| Name (spelling, surname, middle name) | Twice in a lifetime of one person |
| DOB (in case, it is in dispute with age proofs) | Once in the lifetime of a person |
| Gender | Once in the lifetime of a person |
