How to Download Aadhaar Card in 2 Simple Ways

Since its inception, the Aadhaar is slowly becoming more and more ubiquitous in fulfilling its purpose of serving as a singular identification. In cases where you don’t have a physical copy of your Aadhaar card with you, the online version of it should suffice as proof. To download your Aadhaar card in 2 minutes, follow these steps:

Steps to Download Your Aadhaar Card in 2 Minutes via UIDAI Portal

Step 1 

‍ Visit the online portal of UIDAI - https://myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in/ .

‍ Step 2 

‍ Click on the ‘Login’ option on the right-hand side of the webpage.

‍ Step 3 

‍ At this point, you will be redirected to a new webpage. Here, enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number and the captcha code displayed in the box in the relevant fields and then click on the ‘Send OTP’ option.

‍ Step 4 

‍ You will receive an OTP on the mobile number that’s registered with your Aadhaar. Enter the 6-digit OTP that you received in the respective field and click on the ‘Login’ button.

‍ Step 5 

‍ Once you’re logged in, you should see a list of options in front of you. Click on the ‘Download Aadhaar’, which should be the first option in the list.

‍ Step 6 

‍ The UIDAI website will now show you your personal data such as your name, date of birth, gender, and address associated with your Aadhaar number. Review this data to ensure that they’re correct and without any errors. Step 7 If you’re satisfied with the accuracy of the data, proceed to click on the ‘Download’ option at the bottom. You also have the option to download a ‘Masked Aadhaar’, where all the digits of your Aadhaar number except the last four would be masked. Step 8 The website should now begin to download Aadhaar to your computer. The downloaded Aadhaar will be in the form of a PDF.

Points to Remember

• The PDF is password protected and can only be opened by entering a password. The password you have to enter to open the e-Aadhaar PDF should contain 8 characters and is a combination of the first four letters of your name as per your Aadhaar in capitals and your birth year.
• So, for instance, if your name is Akshay Kumar and your date of birth is October 30, 1970, the password that you would have to use to open the Aadhaar card downloaded online would be - AKSH1970.

Steps to Access your Aadhaar Card through DigiLocker 

The Government of India launched the DigiLocker in 2015, essentially a secure cloud storage for all your confidential documents such as Aadhaar, PAN, Driver’s License, etc.

Here’s how you can use the DigiLocker website to access your virtual Aadhaar card:

Step 1 

Create a DigiLocker account Go to the DigiLocker website and choose the ‘Sign up’ option. Create an account using your Aadhaar-linked mobile number and OTP.

Step 2 

Enter your details Fill out the fields such as Name, Date of Birth, Mobile number, Aadhaar number, and so on.

Step 3 

Fetch your ‘Issued documents’ After verifying your account, select ‘Aadhaar’ from the options presented when you click ‘Get issued documents’.

Your virtual Aadhaar is now ready to access on the DigiLocker website.

Is a Downloaded Aadhaar Card Valid?

Yes, a downloaded Aadhaar (e-Aadhaar) is a valid proof of identity, as confirmed by the UIDAI in an April 28, 2017 circular.

Benefits of Carrying a Downloaded Aadhaar Card

Now that it has been established that you can carry an Aadhaar card downloaded online from UIDAI’s website and use it as valid proof of your identity and address, here are a few of the benefits that you stand to enjoy by doing so.

1. Highly Convenient e-Aadhaar is more convenient than carrying a physical copy. Store it on your smartphone and use it whenever needed.
2. Can Be Shared Easily 
3. If you need to share your Aadhaar with banks or financial institutions, having an e-Aadhaar makes it quick and easy.
4. No Risk of Losing e-Aadhaar is safer than physical Aadhaar cards. If lost, e-Aadhaar can be easily downloaded from the UIDAI website in just a few minutes.
5. Conclusion To download your Aadhaar card in just 2 minutes, visit the UIDAI website. e-Aadhaar is valid and offers many benefits, as discussed in previous sections. Download yours now.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Do we get a physical Aadhaar card after the update?

If you have updated any of the details on your Aadhaar card such as your name, date of birth, gender, or address, you will receive a physical Aadhaar card containing the updated information at the address mentioned by you.

2. Can I download an old Aadhaar card?

No. Once you’ve updated your Aadhaar card, you can only download the new version from UIDAI’s self-service portal. The old Aadhaar card with outdated information will cease to exist and cannot be downloaded.

3. How can I download my Aadhaar card by name online?

You cannot download your Aadhaar card using your name online. You can only download it using your Aadhaar number or your enrolment ID.

4. How can I download and print my Aadhaar card online?

To download and print your Aadhaar card online, follow the steps mentioned in the article above. Once you have downloaded your e-Aadhaar in PDF format, you can take a printout of it. The downloaded Aadhaar is password-protected and can only be opened by entering a password, which is a combination of the first four letters of your name (as per your Aadhaar) in capitals and your birth year.