E-Aadhaar card: Everything you need to know

Aadhaar is a government-led initiative designed to provide every resident of India with a unique identification number. This system enables important personal details to be stored in a single, secure digital database. Aadhaar has become a widely accepted form of identification across government and financial services.

Along with the physical Aadhaar card, there is also a digital version known as e-Aadhaar. This electronic format allows you to access your Aadhaar details without carrying the physical card. Having a verified digital document like e-Aadhaar can be especially useful during online verification processes, such as when you plan to check your pre-approved loan offer and wish to proceed without delays caused by missing documents.

An e-Aadhaar card is a digital, password-protected version of your physical Aadhaar card. It contains the same personal information as the original document and is issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).

If you have misplaced your physical Aadhaar card or prefer not to carry it due to the risk of loss, the e-Aadhaar card can be used instead. While it does not replace the physical card, it is legally equivalent to it and can be used in the same manner for identification and address verification.

1. Easy to access and secure

You can access this card whenever you want to, as it is hosted digitally. Also, when you get an e-Aadhaar card, you don’t have to worry about misplacing it.

2. Avail subsidies

The government offers various subsidies, and all you have to give is your 12-digit Aadhaar number to access it. Take the example of an LPG subsidy. Once you link your Aadhaar number to your bank account, you can access this amount directly in your account.

3. Proof of address and identity

An e-Aadhaar card acts as proof of address and identity. It contains all the same information as an Aadhaar card and is digitally signed and authorised by the UIDAI.

4. Streamline documentation process

With an e-Aadhaar card, you can minimise the number of documents you have to submit and access a new bank account or a passport more easily and quickly.

5. The information available on your e-Aadhaar card

Your e-Aadhaar card displays the following details:

• Name
• Address
• Date of birth
• Photograph
• 12-digit unique Aadhaar number
• UIDAI’s digital signature

These details ensure that the e-Aadhaar card is recognised as a valid and reliable identification document.

You can get access to your e-Aadhaar card with great ease once your Aadhaar card has been granted to you. All you have to do is download it from UIDAI’s website.

Here are a few steps that will help you with your e-Aadhaar download.

Step 1: Keep your Aadhaar number ready. If you don’t have this, then keep your enrolment number, along with the date and time on the enrolment slip, handy.
Step 2: Enter your VID, enrolment number or Aadhaar number. Then, enter your full name as mentioned on your Aadhaar form, as well as your pin code.
Step 3: Enter the security code and request an OTP.
Step 4: Once you receive the OTP, enter it into the relevant field. Then, click on the ‘Download Aadhaar’ button.

Additional read: A step-by-step guide to applying for an e-Aadhaar card

After downloading your e-Aadhaar, you will need a password to open the file. The password is created using the first four letters of your name (in capital letters), followed by your year of birth.

For example, if your name is Malcolm and you were born in 1990, the password will be MALC1990.

Another digital version of the Aadhaar, the mAdhaaar, is customised for smartphones. This official mobile application developed by the UIDAI is currently available for Android phones via Google Play but will soon be available for iPhones. It is another way to eliminate the need to carry your physical Aadhaar card and contains all the information, including your name, date of birth, gender, address, and photograph.

It is also a legitimate ID and address proof and can be accessed via a password. You will need to enter this password every time you want to access your mAadhaar. Your mobile number needs to be registered with UIDAI and linked to your Aadhaar card to download and use the app. This way, when you download the mAadhaar app, you will use the OTP on your mobile to register your profile. Remember that this app auto-reads your OTP, and you do not have to enter it yourself. Without the number being linked or the same SIM being used, you won’t be able to set up your profile on the mobile application.

Once your profile is set up on the mAadhaar app, you can share your Aadhaar details through QR codes or e-KYC directly from your phone. This makes verification faster and more convenient, especially for online services.

The app also allows you to store up to three Aadhaar profiles on one device. This can be helpful when managing Aadhaar details for family members, such as while opening a child’s bank account. If your phone or SIM card is lost, it is important to block them immediately to prevent misuse.

Additional read: 7 facts about mAadhaar that you should know

When can you use your e-Aadhaar card?

You can use your e-Aadhaar card in several common situations, including:

• Applying for a passport
• Opening a bank account or completing banking KYC
• As ID proof at Indian railways
• As ID proof at Indian airports
• Availing LPG subsidies
• Accessing your digital locker

As per Section 4(3) of the Aadhaar Act, 2016, an Aadhaar number—whether in physical or electronic form—may be accepted as proof of identity, subject to authentication and prescribed conditions. This makes e-Aadhaar legally equivalent to the physical Aadhaar card.

Keeping your e-Aadhaar easily accessible can simplify verification across services. It can also help you move faster when you want to check your eligibility for personal loan and plan your finances without documentation delays.

Now that you understand how e-Aadhaar works and where it can be used, downloading it ensures you are prepared for both official and financial requirements.