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Step-by-Step Guide

How to Download Aadhaar Card Online

Aadhaar is India's primary digital identity document. If you need an electronic copy, you can download a password-protected, legally valid e-Aadhaar PDF instantly. 100% Free Service

Key Highlights

e-Aadhaar Download at a Glance

4 Official Gateways Download via UIDAI myAadhaar portal, official mAadhaar App, DigiLocker, or the UMANG government app.
3 Accepted Identifiers Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar Number, 28-digit Enrolment ID (EID), or 16-digit Virtual ID (VID).
Password Protected PDF Standard 8-character format: FIRST 4 LETTERS OF NAME IN CAPS + YEAR OF BIRTH (YYYY).
Full Legal Validity Identical legal status as the original physical printed letter under Section 4(3) of the Aadhaar Act, 2016.
Privacy Tip: Use Masked Aadhaar When Sharing Photocopies When checking into hotels or sharing identity proof with private vendors, select the "Do you want a masked Aadhaar?" checkbox during download. It hides the first 8 digits (showing XXXX XXXX 1234) while remaining legally valid.

Ways to Download Aadhaar Card

You can access Aadhaar through these four digital sources:

1. UIDAI MyAadhaar Portal

Direct official UIDAI web portal for online Aadhaar services.

2. Official Aadhaar App

Official Aadhaar application for Android and iOS mobile devices.

3. DigiLocker

Government digital document wallet platform.

4. UMANG

Unified mobile app and portal for multi-government services.

1. How to Download Aadhaar Card From MyAadhaar

The MyAadhaar portal is the official UIDAI platform for Aadhaar-related online services.

  1. 1
    Visit the official UIDAI MyAadhaar website: https://myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in/.
  2. 2
    Open the Download Aadhaar service.
  3. 3
    Select the required option: Choose Aadhaar Number, Enrolment ID (EID), or Virtual ID (VID).
  4. 4
    If using Aadhaar Number, enter your 12-digit Aadhaar Number. If using EID, enter your Enrolment ID (EID) from your enrolment acknowledgement slip.
  5. 5
    Complete the captcha verification.
  6. 6
    Request an OTP.
  7. 7
    Enter the OTP received on your registered mobile number.
  8. 8
    Complete verification.
  9. 9
    Download the e-Aadhaar PDF.

This is the direct UIDAI method for how to download Aadhaar Card online.

2. How to Download Aadhaar Card Using the Official Aadhaar App

The official Aadhaar app provides a versatile mobile platform for accessing your digital e-Aadhaar, updating mobile & address details, locking biometrics, and selective credential verification.

How to Register on Aadhaar App

After downloading the app, the Aadhaar Number Holder (ANH) completes registration through the following steps:

  1. 1
    Select Language: Open the app and choose your preferred regional or English language.
  2. 2
    Enter Aadhaar Number: Enter your 12-digit unique Aadhaar number.
  3. 3
    Agree to Policies: Agree to the official Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.
  4. 4
    Choose SIM Card: Select the active SIM slot corresponding to your registered mobile number for device verification.
  5. 5
    Face Authentication: Perform live facial authentication using your device camera via UIDAI FaceRD.
  6. 6
    Get Registered: The app verifies your face match and securely registers your profile on the smartphone.
  7. 7
    Set 6-Digit PIN: Set a personalized 6-digit security PIN to secure all future access to the application.

Services Available on Aadhaar App

Presently, the official Aadhaar app offers a comprehensive suite of resident services, including:

Mobile Number Update
Address Update (Standard & HoF)
Biometric Lock / Unlock
Selective Verifiable Credential Sharing
Check Authentication History
Download & View e-Aadhaar
Share Contact Card
Track My Request

3. How to Download Aadhaar From DigiLocker

DigiLocker is a government digital-document platform that allows users to access available digital documents through their accounts.

  1. 1
    Open the official DigiLocker website or mobile app on Android or iOS.
  2. 2
    Sign in or create your DigiLocker account.
  3. 3
    Open the relevant Aadhaar / document service.
  4. 4
    Enter your Aadhaar Number when requested. (If the service provides the option, you may also use your VID.)
  5. 5
    Complete OTP or other required verification.
  6. 6
    Access your available Aadhaar document.
  7. 7
    Save or access the document through DigiLocker.

The exact information requested can depend on the DigiLocker service being used.

4. How to Download or Access Aadhaar Through UMANG

UMANG brings various government services together on one platform and provides access to Aadhaar-related services.

  1. 1
    Open the official UMANG website or app.
  2. 2
    Sign in or register if required.
  3. 3
    Search for Aadhaar.
  4. 4
    Select the relevant Aadhaar service.
  5. 5
    Enter your Aadhaar Number or Enrolment ID (EID) if requested by the selected service.
  6. 6
    Complete the required OTP or authentication process.
  7. 7
    Follow the instructions displayed on the screen.
  8. 8
    Access the available Aadhaar document or service.

The required information can vary depending on the particular Aadhaar service selected in UMANG.

Aadhaar Number vs Enrolment ID (EID)

Before following how to download Aadhaar Card, it is useful to understand the difference between these two details.

Detail Aadhaar Number Enrolment ID (EID)
What is it A 12-digit number assigned to an Aadhaar holder. The EID is provided on the Aadhaar enrolment acknowledgement slip.
Uses It can be used for Aadhaar-related online services. It can be used for certain Aadhaar services when the Aadhaar Number is not available.
Where to Find On your Aadhaar document. On the Aadhaar enrolment acknowledgement slip.

How to Open the Downloaded e-Aadhaar PDF

All official e-Aadhaar PDF files downloaded from UIDAI are cryptographically protected by an automatic 8-character password.

Universal e-Aadhaar PDF Password Formula
[FIRST 4 LETTERS OF NAME IN CAPS] + [YEAR OF BIRTH YYYY]

The password is strictly 8 characters with no spaces. Use capital letters for the name part and your 4-digit birth year as printed on your Aadhaar.

Password Formula Examples:

Printed Name on Aadhaar Year of Birth Official PDF Password
RAHUL KUMAR 1995 RAHU1995
ANITA VERMA 1988 ANIT1988
P. SURESH (Initials with period) 1992 P.SU1992
RIA ROY (First name under 4 letters) 2001 RIAR2001 (Uses 1st letter of surname)

Is e-Aadhaar Valid?

Yes. e-Aadhaar is a digitally signed electronic version of Aadhaar and can be used as a valid Aadhaar document for applicable purposes.

After learning how to download Aadhaar Card, you can store the electronic copy on your phone or computer and print it when required.

How to Download Masked Aadhaar

Masked Aadhaar hides the first 8 digits (showing XXXX XXXX 1234) to protect against identity theft. It is legally valid everywhere full 12 digits are not mandated.

Step-by-Step Masked Aadhaar Download:

  1. Go to the official portal: myAadhaar Download Portal.
  2. Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar Number or 28-digit Enrolment ID (EID) and captcha.
  3. Click Send OTP and enter the 6-digit OTP received on your mobile.
  4. Check the checkbox: "Do you want a masked Aadhaar?"
  5. Click Verify & Download to download your privacy-masked e-Aadhaar PDF.
Download Masked Aadhaar Online

Download Offline e-KYC (Paperless XML)

Aadhaar Paperless Offline e-KYC is a secure, digitally signed XML document that allows residents to verify their identity without handing over physical paper copies or sharing biometric data.

How to Generate Offline e-KYC File:

  1. Visit the official myAadhaar Offline e-KYC Service.
  2. Sign in using your 12-digit Aadhaar number and OTP.
  3. Create a 4-character Share Code (e.g. 1234) of your choice to encrypt the data.
  4. Download the password-protected ZIP archive containing your digitally signed XML file.
  5. Provide the downloaded ZIP file along with your 4-character Share Code to authorized verification agencies.
Download Offline e-KYC File

Important Tips When Downloading Aadhaar

While following how to download Aadhaar Card, keep these points in mind:

Use official government websites and applications.
Check that you are using the correct website or app.
Keep your registered mobile number available when OTP verification is required.
Never share your Aadhaar OTP with anyone.
Do not enter your Aadhaar details on suspicious websites.
Avoid sharing your complete Aadhaar information unnecessarily.
Keep your downloaded document secure.
Check your Aadhaar details after accessing the document.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I download Aadhaar online?
Yes. e-Aadhaar can be accessed through UIDAI's online Aadhaar services.
How can I download Aadhaar using my Aadhaar Number?
Open the MyAadhaar download service, select Aadhaar Number, enter your 12-digit Aadhaar Number, complete the verification and download the e-Aadhaar PDF.
Can I download Aadhaar using an Enrolment ID?
Yes. Where the EID option is available, select Enrolment ID (EID) and enter the enrolment details from your acknowledgement slip.
Can I access Aadhaar through the official Aadhaar app?
Yes. The official Aadhaar app provides Aadhaar-related services, including access to e-Aadhaar.
Can I access Aadhaar through DigiLocker?
DigiLocker provides access to available government digital documents. You may need to enter your Aadhaar Number or other information requested by the particular service.
Can I access Aadhaar through UMANG?
Yes. UMANG provides access to Aadhaar-related government services. The information required can depend on the specific Aadhaar service selected.
Is e-Aadhaar valid?
Yes. e-Aadhaar is a digitally signed electronic version of Aadhaar and is valid for applicable purposes.

Conclusion

e-Aadhaar is 100% free, digitally signed, and available anytime via MyAadhaar, mAadhaar app, DigiLocker, or UMANG. Use your 8-character password (NAME4 + YEAR) to open the PDF.