E-Aadhaar is an electronic version of your Aadhaar card that you can download from the official UIDAI website or the mAadhaar app. E-Aadhaar is a password-protected PDF file that contains your Aadhaar details and a digital signature from UIDAI.
E-Aadhaar is equally valid as the physical copy of Aadhaar and can be used as an identity proof for various purposes. In this article, we will explain what is e-Aadhaar, how to download it, and why you should use it.
Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to every resident of India. It can be used for various purposes such as identity verification, e-KYC, subsidies, benefits, and other services.
However, sometimes you may need to download your Aadhaar card online in a PDF format. This PDF file is called e-Aadhaar and it has the same information as your physical Aadhaar card such as your name, date of birth, gender, address, photo, and biometric data.
To download your e-Aadhaar, you need to follow these steps:
- Visit the official UIDAI website at uidai.gov.in or resident.uidai.gov.in.
- On the homepage, click on the ‘My Aadhaar’ section and select the ‘Download Aadhaar’ option under the Aadhaar services section.
- Enter your Aadhaar number, Virtual ID (VID), or Enrolment ID (EID) and the security code displayed on the screen. Click on ‘Send OTP’ to receive a one-time password on your registered mobile number.
- Enter the OTP and select the ‘I agree’ checkbox to give your consent for downloading your Aadhaar details. Click on ‘Download Aadhaar’ to download your e-Aadhaar PDF file.
- You can choose to download a regular or a masked Aadhaar, where the first 8 digits of your Aadhaar number are hidden.
- Double-click on the downloaded PDF file to open it. You will be prompted to enter a password.
- Enter the first four letters of your name in capital letters and your year of birth in YYYY format as explained above. Click on ‘OK’ to view your e-Aadhaar.
By downloading and using your e-Aadhaar, you can access your Aadhaar card anytime and anywhere without carrying a physical copy. You can also print or share your e-Aadhaar with any service provider that requires your Aadhaar details.
However, you should not disclose or post your e-Aadhaar password on any public platform or social media as it may compromise your Aadhaar data. For more information on e-Aadhaar, please visit uidai.gov.in.
