📌 This guide covers enrolling for Aadhaar, updating your Aadhaar details, downloading your e-Aadhaar, and understanding how to use it as an identity document.
What is Aadhaar?
Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to all residents of India. It is linked to biometric data (fingerprints and iris scan) along with demographic information. Aadhaar is not just a card — it is a digital identity infrastructure used for government benefits, KYC, banking, and taxation.
How to Enrol for Aadhaar
Documents Accepted for Aadhaar
| Document Type | Accepted Documents |
|---|---|
| Identity Proof | Passport, PAN Card, Voter ID, Driving License, Government-issued photo ID, SSLC/10th mark sheet with photo, Bank passbook with photo |
| Address Proof | Passport, Voter ID, Driving License, Bank statement/passbook, Utility bills (electricity/water/gas, not older than 3 months), Ration card, Property tax receipt |
| Date of Birth Proof | Birth certificate, SSLC certificate, Passport, Marksheet issued by government board |
Updating Aadhaar Details
You can update demographic details (name, address, DOB, mobile number, email) online at myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in. Address update is free online; other updates may require visiting an enrolment centre and paying ₹100.
⚠️ Important: Name and date of birth can be updated only a limited number of times. Always double-check spellings before submitting your update request.
Downloading e-Aadhaar
Your e-Aadhaar is a password-protected PDF downloadable from myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in → Download Aadhaar. You need your registered mobile number for OTP verification. The password to open the PDF is the first four letters of your name (uppercase) followed by your birth year — e.g., RAMU1990.
Masked Aadhaar
When sharing your Aadhaar with third parties, always use Masked Aadhaar — available from the UIDAI portal — which shows only the last 4 digits of your 12-digit number (e.g., XXXX XXXX 5678). This protects your full Aadhaar number from misuse.
Aadhaar Linking
Aadhaar is mandatory to link with your PAN card (deadline extended periodically — check incometax.gov.in). It is also used for Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), LPG subsidies, EPF, and various state government schemes. Link your mobile number with Aadhaar to enable OTP-based authentication.
Merging Front & Back for Submissions
Many offices require both sides of the Aadhaar submitted as a single file. Use our Aadhaar Card Formatter & Merger tool to crop both sides to identical dimensions and merge them into a single PDF or JPEG — free, instant, no server upload.