Aadhaar Card

What is Aadhaar Card

Aadhar Card is a unique identification number issued to every resident of India. An Aadhaar card is as significant as a PAN card for an Indian citizen, if not more. Many use it as an ID proof too. Even mutual fund houses accept it as part of the documentation for investments. Let’s understand Aadhar and its significance in detail.

1. Aadhaar Card Overview

Aadhaar contains a 12-digit number generated based on factors such as demographic and biometric data specific to each individual. The statutory body for Aadhar is The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), Government of India. UIDAI was established in 2016 with a mission to provide good, efficient and transparent governance to the people of India. It has the following components.

Name Of Aadhaar Issuing Authority Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI)

Aadhaar Customer Care Number - 1947

Inception of Aadhar Card - September 2010

Validity Of Aadhar Card - Life Time

Number Of Enrolment Centers - More than 30,000

Number Of Enrolments - 119 crore (approximate)

Key people J. Satyanarayana, IAS, Chairman, UIDAI

Pankaj Kumar, IAS, CEO, UIDAI

2. Aadhaar Card Eligibility

The Eligibility for Aadhaar Card is :

Any resident of India (newborns/minors) is eligible for Aadhar card. While Adhaar card is for adults, Baal Adhaar is for children below 5 years

NRIs and Foreigners staying in India for more than 12 months are eligible for Aadhar. It is proposed to issue Aadhaar Card for Non-Resident Indians with Indian Passports after their arrival in India without waiting for 180 days.

3. Documents Required for Aadhaar Card

Adhar requires two types of documents – Proof of Address (POA) and Proof of Identity (POI). Any two of the following documents should meet the criteria.

Proof of identification (POI)

Pan card

Certificate of Birth

Find an Aadhar enrolment centre by visiting the official website

Fill the form with your details

Submit the required documents

Provide your biometrics (Fingerprint & Iris scan)

Get the enrollment acknowledgement slip

The Aadhar enrollment is voluntary and free of cost for anyone

b. Baal Aadhaar

A newborn/minor Adhar card is known as a ‘Baal Aadhar’ card data. It is blue in colour and does not include the biometrics information like fingerprints and iris scan of the cardholder, unlike the card for adults.

Visit UIDAI website and find the nearest enrolment centre with a copy of the child’s birth certificate

One of the child’s parent must compulsorily provide their Aadhaar card number for the purpose of authentication. Baal Aadhar will be linked to the parents Adhaar

Fill up Baal Aadhar application form with all relevant details along with a mobile number that you wish to register Baal Adhaar with

A photograph of the child/ minor will be taken. If the child is below 5 years of age, no biometrics will be recorded

After completing the above steps, collect the acknowledgment slip

A verification SMS will be sent to the mobile number provided in the application form, after which Baal Aadhar will be dispatched to the designated address

5. Check Aadhar card Status

To check Aadhar card Status log into the official UIDAI website, click on check Adhaar status under the Aadhaar enrolment tab our enrolment number which is printed on the acknowledge slip to check the current status of your Aadhaar card.

6. Download/Print Aadhaar card

If you have successfully enrolled for Adhar card but have not received the physical copy as yet. Now you can download and print the PDF version of Adhaar card also known as e-Aadhaar form the Aadhaar website. This format is equally accepted everywhere. Go to UIDAI website, to download your Aadhaar.

7. Aadhaar Card Verification

It is now possible to easily verify Aadhaar online by the following steps: Step 1: Log on to the official UIDAI website

Step 2: Select the option – “Adhar services” on the page

Step 3: Select “Aadhaar Verification” present on the page

Step 4: Enter the 12 digits unique Aadhar number

Step 5: Enter the one-time password (OTP) that you will receive on your mobile

Step 6: Submit the application

If there is a mismatch in details, you can call UIADI toll free number – 1947 or visit UIDAI online.

8. How to Update/Edit Aadhaar?

The two main reasons to update Aadhar card details are:

Change in Demographic data such as name, age, marital status

Biometric Aadhaar data

To update details, a copy of the support document (POI/POA) is required. The update can be done by visiting the Aadhar Enrolment Centre or logging on to the UIDAI website to update Aadhaar online.

9. Aadhaar Virtual ID

Aadhaar Virtual ID is the alternative to Aadhaar number. This virtual ID is a temporary code which consists of a 16 digit numeric number that is generated against an Aadhaar number. Bear in mind that the virtual ID under no situation can be used to retrieve the original Aadhar card. Only one virtual ID is generated against an Aadhaar number and It can be generated as many times as the user wants.