Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique identity number issued by UIDAI based on biometric and demographic data. It is the most universally accepted document in India for proving who you are and where you live. For banking and finance, it is essential for e-KYC, allowing you to open bank accounts or get loans instantly without physical paperwork. It is also mandatory for government subsidies and PAN card linking.

Issued by Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) · Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)

• Opening a savings account
  accepted as identity and address proof for instant e-KYC

• Credit card applications
  used for quick digital verification and address validation

• Loans
  enables paperless loan processing and instant KYC

• Fixed deposits
  serves as primary KYC document

• Mutual funds / demat
  used for Aadhaar-based e-KYC to start investing quickly

• Government schemes and subsidies
  required for Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to receive funds directly in your bank account

• UPI / e-KYC
  used to set up UPI PIN if you do not have a debit card

• EPF account
  mandatory for provident fund withdrawals and management

• Resident Indian citizens (who have resided in India for at least 182 days in the preceding 12 months)

• Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) with a valid Indian passport

• Foreign nationals residing in India for more than 182 days

• Minors and newborns (Baal Aadhaar)

• Foreign tourists on short visits

• Proof of Identity (PoI)
  Passport, PAN Card, Voter ID, Driving License, Ration Card, etc.

• Proof of Address (PoA)
  Passport, Bank Statement, Utility Bill (electricity/water/telephone not older than 3 months), Voter ID, Ration Card, etc.

• Proof of Date of Birth (PoB)
  Birth Certificate, Passport, PAN Card, SSLC Certificate, etc.

• Note
  UIDAI officially accepts over 30 documents for PoI and PoA.

1. 1

   Step 1: Visit the UIDAI portal and click 'Book an Appointment'

2. 2

   Step 2: Select your city/location or search for an Aadhaar Seva Kendra

3. 3

   Step 3: Enter your mobile number and verify via OTP

4. 4

   Step 4: Fill in your demographic details (name, address, etc.)

5. 5

   Step 5: Choose an available time slot and date

6. 6

   Step 6: Visit the center at the chosen time with original documents for biometric capture.

1. 1

   Step 1: Locate the nearest Aadhaar enrolment center (bank, post office, or Aadhaar Seva Kendra)

2. 2

   Step 2: Visit the center with your original Proof of Identity and Proof of Address documents

3. 3

   Step 3: Fill out the Aadhaar Enrolment Form available at the center

4. 4

   Step 4: Submit the form and documents to the operator

5. 5

   Step 5: Provide your biometrics (fingerprints, iris scan) and a photograph

6. 6

   Step 6: Collect the acknowledgement slip containing the 14-digit Enrolment ID (EID) to track your status.

• Aadhaar Seva Kendras (ASKs)

• Designated Bank branches (e.g., SBI, HDFC)

• Post Offices

• BSNL offices

• Find nearest center at bhuvan.nrsc.gov.in/aadhaar/

• Verify Aadhaar number on UIDAI portal

• Scan the secure QR code on e-Aadhaar or PVC card using the Aadhaar QR Scanner app

• Offline paperless e-KYC (XML file)

• DigiLocker integration

• e-Aadhaar
  a digitally signed PDF download valid everywhere

• Masked Aadhaar
  shows only the last 4 digits for privacy

• Aadhaar Letter
  the original paper letter sent via regular post

• Aadhaar PVC Card
  a durable plastic card with security features like a hologram and secure QR code, ordered online

• mAadhaar
  the official mobile app carrying your digital Aadhaar

1. 1

   Step 1: Go to myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in and click 'Download Aadhaar'

2. 2

   Step 2: Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number or Enrolment ID

3. 3

   Step 3: Enter the CAPTCHA and click 'Send OTP'

4. 4

   Step 4: Enter the OTP received on your registered mobile number

5. 5

   Step 5: Choose if you want a masked Aadhaar

6. 6

   Step 6: Download the PDF. Password is the first 4 letters of your name in CAPITAL letters followed by your year of birth (e.g., ARIS1995).

1. 1

   Address update online => log in to myAadhaar portal, select 'Address Update', upload valid PoA, pay ₹50, and submit

2. 2

   Mobile number / Photo / Biometrics update => must visit an Aadhaar Seva Kendra, cannot be done online. Book appointment, visit with proof, and pay the fee.

1. 1

   Step 1: Visit myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in

2. 2

   Step 2: Click 'Check Enrolment & Update Status'

3. 3

   Step 3: Enter your 14-digit Enrolment ID (EID) or Service Request Number (SRN)

4. 4

   Step 4: Complete CAPTCHA and click Submit.

1. 1

   Step 1: If mobile is linked, visit myAadhaar portal and click 'Retrieve EID/Aadhaar number' to get it via SMS

2. 2

   Step 2: Use the retrieved number to download e-Aadhaar or order a PVC card

3. 3

   Step 3: If mobile is NOT linked, visit the nearest Aadhaar Seva Kendra with identity proof for biometric retrieval

4. 4

   You can also lock your biometrics online to prevent misuse if lost.

• PAN Card
  mandatory to link, deadline passed (June 30, 2023), current penalty is ₹1,000 to link late

• Bank accounts
  required for receiving government subsidies (DBT) and for e-KYC

• Mobile number
  highly recommended for receiving OTPs for all online authentications.

• Masked Aadhaar is legally valid and safer to share with private companies

• The PDF password is always 8 characters: 4 letters of name + 4 digits of birth year

• Aadhaar is not a proof of citizenship, only a proof of identity and residence

• You can lock and unlock your biometrics via the mAadhaar app to prevent fraud

• Document update is being heavily pushed by UIDAI for cards older than 10 years

• Telecom companies cannot force you to give your physical Aadhaar for a SIM card; e-KYC is sufficient.

• Name mismatch => if your name on Aadhaar and PAN/Bank doesn't match exactly, e-KYC or linking will fail; fix Aadhaar to match PAN

• No mobile linked => you cannot download e-Aadhaar or use online services without a linked mobile number

• Sharing full Aadhaar on WhatsApp => unsafe, use Masked Aadhaar instead

• Missing appointments => online appointments expire if you don't show up

• Submitting unaccepted documents => always check the latest valid document list on UIDAI.

• Use Masked Aadhaar wherever full digits are not strictly needed (like hotels or private verification)

• Lock your biometrics in the myAadhaar portal or app when not in use

• Never share the OTP meant for Aadhaar authentication

• Do not print Aadhaar from unauthorized cyber cafes and leave the PDF on their desktop

• Always self-attest physical photocopies with date and purpose (e.g., 'Only for opening HDFC account on 4 Nov 2026')

• UIDAI never calls or emails asking for your Aadhaar OTP.

• Toll-free
  1947

• Email
  help@uidai.gov.in

• Grievance portal
  myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in/file-complaint

• uidai.gov.in
• myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in
• bhuvan.nrsc.gov.in

Last checked: 4 November 2026

Rules, fees and timelines change. Always confirm on the official website before you apply.