UIDAI and myAadhaar

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) functions under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). The powers and responsibilities of UIDAI are defined by the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016.

Aadhaar is a 12 digit number, randomly generated and assigned to an individual by UIDAI. It acts as a Proof of Identity (PoI) and Proof of Address (PoA).

The Four Formats Aadhaar Comes In

UIDAI issues Aadhaar in four distinct formats, and all four carry equal legal standing.

1. The physical Aadhaar Letter: A printed paper document listing your name, father’s name, date of birth, address, and other demographic details, along with a photograph and a secure QR code.

2. e-Aadhaar (the digital copy): Downloadable straight from UIDAI’s website, and functionally identical to the physical card. It comes in two variants:

• Regular e-Aadhaar: displays the complete 12-digit number, is digitally signed, and is password-locked.
• Masked e-Aadhaar: hides the first 8 digits and reveals only the last four (shown as XXXX-XXXX-1234) for added privacy, while remaining just as valid.

3. mAadhaar: The official mobile app version, letting you keep your Aadhaar on your phone instead of carrying paper.

4. Aadhaar PVC Card: A compact, plastic, wallet-sized card with a hologram, QR code, and other security features baked in. It’s built to last and is accepted everywhere the paper version is.

What You Can Do on the My Aadhaar Portal

The official portal myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in provides a wide range of Aadhaar-related functions. Some need you to log in; others don’t, which comes in handy if you’ve lost access to your registered mobile number.

UIDAI features that require login (via OTP to your registered mobile):

• Updating documents
• Downloading your Aadhaar
• Recovering your EID or Aadhaar number
• Verifying your email or phone number
• Generating or retrieving your VID
• Locking/unlocking your Aadhaar
• Checking bank-seeding status

UIDAI features that doesn’t require login:

• Ordering a PVC card
• Tracking a PVC card order
• Checking enrolment/update status
• Finding a nearby enrolment centre
• Booking a slot at an Aadhaar Seva Kendra
• Verifying Aadhaar validity
• Filing or tracking a grievance/feedback

My Aadhaar UIDAI Login Process

To login to UIDAI portal, follow the steps provided below:

1. Go to myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in and hit “Login.”
2. On the next screen, key in your Aadhaar number and the captcha shown.
3. Select “Login with OTP”.
4. An OTP lands on your registered mobile.
5. Type in the OTP and click “Login” to land on your dashboard.

How to Download Your Aadhaar Card

You can download your Aadhaar using any of three identifiers, and either the physical or digital copy holds equal legal weight.

A: via your 12-digit Aadhaar number:

Pick the Aadhaar Number radio button, enter the number plus the captcha, and request an OTP. Once verified, hit “Download Aadhaar.” You’ll get a password-protected PDF, the password is the first four letters of your name in capitals followed by your birth year (e.g., Divankar Mishra, born 1985 → DIVA1985).

B: via your 28-digit Enrolment ID (EID):

Choose the Enrolment ID option, enter your 14-digit enrolment number along with the enrolment date and time, then the captcha, and request an OTP. Verify it, download the PDF, and open it using the same name-plus-birth-year password format (e.g., Sudhanshu Shukla, born 1992 → SUDH1992).

Side note on EID: This is a 14-digit number given on your acknowledgment slip at the time of enrolment, formatted like 1234/12345/12345. The slip itself, which also carries your photo, demographic info, and address, serves as temporary proof of enrolment until your actual Aadhaar number is issued.

C: via your 16-digit Virtual ID (VID):

Select the VID option, enter the number and captcha, request and enter the OTP, then download. The same password rule (first 4 letters of name + birth year) applies to unlock the file.

What Is a Virtual ID (VID)?

A VID is a temporary, 16-digit stand-in number you can use instead of sharing your actual Aadhaar number. You’re allowed to generate as many as you like, but only the newest one stays active; every earlier VID gets automatically deactivated the moment a new one is created. It can be generated either through the UIDAI website or via SMS.

How to Update Your Aadhaar Details

Updates can happen two ways:

• Online: but this route only covers Proof of Identity and Proof of Address documents.
• Offline (in-person): covers everything else: name, date of birth, gender, mobile number, email, address, or biometric data. This requires booking an appointment at an Aadhaar Seva Kendra.

Offline Update Process

1. Visit myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in and click “Book an Appointment,” which routes you to bookappointment.uidai.gov.in.
2. Choose to verify via Mobile OTP or Email OTP.
3. Enter your name (matching your Aadhaar card exactly), your mobile number or email, and the captcha, then request the OTP.
4. Enter the OTP and log in.
5. Enter your city/location to start booking.
6. Under “Select Enrollment Type,” choose “Update Existing Aadhaar Details,” then click Preview.
7. Enter your Aadhaar number and name, and tick the specific fields you want updated (name, DOB, gender, mobile, email, address, or biometric).
8. Review and confirm.
9. Pick your state, city, and preferred Seva Kendra branch, plus a convenient date and time.
10. Pay the fee (₹50 online, which is the recommended payment mode).
11. Download and print the resulting application form.
12. Show up at your chosen Seva Kendra on the scheduled date with the printed form and the required supporting documents, and submit it to the staff for processing.

Online Update Process (PoI/PoA only)

1. Go to myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in and select “Document Update.”
2. Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number and the captcha, then choose “Login with OTP.”
3. Enter the OTP sent to your registered mobile and log in.
4. Review your existing name, DOB, gender, and address details against your supporting documents.
5. Accept the terms and conditions.
6. Upload your Proof of Identity document (following the specified size/format rules), then your Proof of Address document.
7. Give final consent to submit.
8. You’ll get a confirmation message; download and keep the acknowledgment receipt.

Note: this online PoI/PoA update remains free until 14 June 2026, after which UIDAI will start charging for it.

Revised Fee Structure (Effective 1 October 2025)

UIDAI rolled out new charges in two phases to keep essential services affordable while properly compensating service centres.

Phase 1: valid through 30 September 2028

Phase 2: 1 October 2028 to 30 September 2031

Documentation Needed to Update Aadhaar Card

Enrolment/update forms (by category):

For children up to 5 years old, two enrolment routes exist:

Head of Family (HoF) based: useful when the child (or spouse/parent) lacks documents in their own name.

Document-based (for children in shelters/orphanages):

For everyone aged 5 and above, acceptable documents by category:

Proof of Identity: Indian Passport, PAN Card, Ration/PDS Card, Voter ID, Driving License, Government Photo ID, Pension/Freedom Fighter Card, CGHS/ESIC Card, Disability Certificate, Domicile/Job Card, Caste Certificate, Educational Certificate, Bank Passbook, Transgender Certificate, Prison Induction Document.

Proof of Address: Indian Passport, Ration/PDS Card, Voter ID, Disability Certificate, Domicile/Job Card, Caste Certificate, Bank Passbook, Transgender Certificate, Utility Bills (under 3 months old), Rent/Lease Agreement, Prison Induction Document.

Proof of Relationship: Indian Passport, Ration/PDS Card, Pension/Freedom Fighter Card, Domicile/Job Card, Caste Certificate, Educational Certificate, Transgender Certificate, Birth Certificate, Family Entitlement Document, Legal Guardianship Document.

Proof of Date of Birth: Indian Passport, Government Photo ID, Pension/Freedom Fighter Card, Educational Certificate, Birth Certificate.

For foreign nationals: