Aadhaar is an identification system that India has adopted in order to enhance the security and identification requirements of people residing in India. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has been created and given the important task of issuing and developing the Aadhaar Card with the Unique Identification Number (UID) to the residents of India. This Authority functions under the Central Government.
UIDAI collects the biometric and demographic details of the Indian residents getting the Aadhaar. After all the data is collected, it is stored in the UID Database - the centralized database system. This entire project is known to be the largest national identification number project in the world. In this article, you will find all the information one may require, related to Aadhaar.
Aadhaar Card is a unique identification number that is issued to every resident of India. Aadhaar contains a 12-digit number which is generated, based on factors such as demographic and biometric data specific to each individual. The statutory body for Aadhaar is the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), Government of India.
All individuals must apply for an Aadhaar card as it is widely accepted and used as an identification proof. It also serves the purpose of an address proof.
The Aadhaar Card with the 12-digit unique number is issued after the application of the applicant is approved. It enables the holder to avail government benefits and subsidies as well. This service also helps in curbing illegal immigration into India.
Established in January 2009 by the Planning Commission, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) had aimed to provide a unique identity to individuals and a platform to authenticate their identity anywhere and at any time, by digital means.
The vision was to provide better welfare services to the residents of India. Another purpose that it intended to fulfil was to set an overseeing entity so as to monitor the several government schemes and programmes.
UIDAI collects the demographic and biometric data of the residents including photographs, fingerprints, and iris scans. It also stores all such information at a centralized place for the purposes of identification. It claims to be the world’s largest project for the purpose of National Identification Number.
Several offline and online services are provided by the UIDAI. These services are provided to the residents of India. The online portal enables people to get quick access to important information and services like :
Apart from the online services, an individual can also visit in person, the enrolment centres that are authorised by UIDAI in order to check his/her Aadhaar data or even voice their issues and concerns.
The other services that UIDAI provides include:
The Aadhaar Card contains a number of important details on it. However, not all the details are mentioned on the card only. Some fundamental details stored in the Aadhaar’s database.
The details that are mentioned upon the card is as follows:
An individual needs to apply in order to attain an Aadhaar. For this, you can visit the respective Aadhaar enrolment center near you. You will be required to fill a form at the enrolment center. Another requirement would be to submit your biometric details along with essential documents. These documents are required for the verification of proof of identity and the proof of address.
The process to apply and attain the Aadhaar card has been discussed in detail in this segment:
Step 1. Finding the Enrolment Centre:
The first thing you need to do is to find the nearest Aadhaar centre near you. You can visit the UIDAI Website to search for the enrolment centre.
Step 2. Booking Appointment:
After you finalize your center, you can book an appointment online itself as this saves on a lot of time, since you will not have to wait in long queues for your turn. It is important to be present at the center on the appointed day.
Step 3. Filling up of the Form:
The enrolment form has to be filled by the individual after booking the appointment. This form can be filled either offline, or even online. However, it is of prime importance that all the details that are filled in by you are correct.
Step 4. Keeping Documents Handy:
It is of prime importance that you keep a few supporting documents handy. These would be required for your verification. These include identity proof, address proof, PAN card, ration card, voter ID card, etc. The
Step 5. Submitting Biometrics and Photograph:
At the time of the submission of your documents, you will be required to submit your biometrics/iris scan/fingerprint scan, along with your photograph as well.
Step 6. Acknowledgment Slip:
After completing all the aforementioned steps, you will receive an acknowledgment slip of your enrolment having a 14-digit number on it. This can be referred to for checking the status of your enrolment. Your income tax return can also be filed with the help of this Aadhaar enrolment ID.
Step 7. Tracking of Your Enrolment and acquiring Aadhaar number:
In the last step of the procedure to attain Aadhaar Enrolment, you have to simply track your enrolment with the help of the enrolment number provided, keeping in mind the time mentioned on the acknowledgement slip.
Once your data is successfully verified, your Aadhaar number will be sent via post to your address. It should be kept in mind, that it can take up to 90 days for the Aadhaar to be sent to you.
An individual can even download the Aadhaar card online if in case he/she has enrolled but not received the physical copy yet. A PDF version of the Aadhaar can be downloaded from the website/online portal. This e-Aadhaar should be then printed. This e-copy is also accepted everywhere. The Aadhaar can either be printed in a hard copy, or merely used in its digital version.
As stated before, it can take up to three months/90 days for one to receive the Aadhaar card after your application. However, at times, it is possible that people do not receive their Aadhaar even after the stipulated time-frame. In case you have not received your Aadhaar card at your address at the said time, you may get it online, as well as offline.
However, you need to ensure that that your Aadhaar has been generated. To make sure that your Aadhaar has been generated, you can check the status of your Aadhaar. The status of your application of Aadhaar card can be checked on the UIDAI Website. From here, you can make use of the enrolment ID provided to you at the time of the application and enter it in the space given there.
Once you have received your Aadhaar Card, it is very important that you check all the details provided in your card. This is to ensure that you have the correct information on record. In case you find any differences/faults/discrepancies from the information that you provided, you may update the Aadhaar information by using the service portal that is available online.
In some cases, you may have to re-apply for an Aadhaar card. You can re-apply by following the same process of booking an appointment and completing the process of registration. The instances in which this could be a necessary step have been stated below:
As stated earlier, Aadhaar was initiated so as to help the people residing in India to have an identification number and a document which could be used for several governmental purposes. It is way more than just an identification number.
An individual needs to apply for an Aadhaar card. However, it is important to understand who can apply for an Aadhaar card.
According to the Aadhaar Act 2016, any Individual who is a resident of India is eligible to enrol for Aadhaar Card. A resident has been defined as an individual who is residing or has resided in India for a period of 182 days or more, in the immediate 12 months from the date of the application of the Aadhaar Card.
Let us understand if individuals belonging to different categories (Resident Indians, NRIs and Minors) are eligible to obtain Aadhaar Cards:
As has been discussed earlier, a person wishing to enroll for Aadhaar Card may apply online by going to the official website of UIDAI, fill up the requisite form and submit it to nearest Aadhaar enrollment centre as per the area. Every person needs to submit certain specific documents (along with the form) which are required for the verification of the details of the applicant that have been furnished by him. These documents can further be divided into four categories:
There are certain documents that can be served as proof of more than one thing. These documents are required to be submitted, whether you are applying for a new Aadhaar Card, or are trying to make any changes to the existing Aadhaar card.
Given below is an exhaustive list of documents that are required classified in four categories:
You will have to fill the form and submit any document amongst the four categories in order to get yourself enrolled for a new Aadhaar Card. In case there needs to be a change(s) in any information in the existing Aadhaar details, the same documents can be considered and submitted.
Aadhaar is a unique number issued to the applicant. The most important aspect of it is that it is a centralised and universal identification number. As stated earlier, it consists of biometric information, including an individual’s personal details stored in a government database. There are several important uses and benefits of an Aadhaar Card. These have been discussed in detail below:
The Aadhaar card is an important document for proof of identity. A unique number is allotted to each Aadhaar holder and all the personal details of the individual get stored in the government database, linked with this unique number. The Aadhaar card, being a universally acceptable government-issued card, is a versatile document and can be used as a proof of identity/address/age, etc. It can be used for all government related programs and services.
An Aadhaar card even permits the holder to avail all the government subsidies that he/she may be eligible for. Since the government has already stored an individual’s important data and linked it with the Aadhaar number, he/she only needs to provide the Aadhaar card so as to avail the subsidies/government benefits. The government has even introduced schemes whereby the Aadhaar could be linked with bank accounts and LPG connections so that the Aadhaar holder can receive the LPG subsidy directly in these bank accounts. This also helps in ensuring that funds are not misappropriated and/or the individuals do not make fraudulent claims so as to claim benefits.
An Aadhaar card is easily acquirable. It is a one-of-its kind document that is available anywhere and everywhere. It can even be applied for, online. Moreover, the e-Aadhaar i.e. the online/downloadable version of it can be accessed any time. This downloadable version also reduces the risk of the original document being stolen/misplaced.
The Aadhaar card can be used to speed up the government processes as well. These benefits have been stated as follows:
It is important to link Aadhaar with the bank account. There are several ways which the Banks have provided to facilitate the linking of Aadhaar with the banks. Individuals can get this done in the following ways:
Individuals can link their PAN with Aadhaar in two ways - either online or through SMS. The two ways have been explained as follows:
It is now mandatory as per government rules to link Aadhaar with the mobile number. The 3 methods through which you can link mobile number with Aadhaar are stated as follows:
It is mandatory to link Aadhaar with ration card as per the Government. This also increases the efficiency of PDS (Public Distribution System) in the country. The steps that you will have to follow in order to link your Aadhaar with your ration card have been given below:
If you link your EPF account or UAN with Aadhaar, you can access your EPF account online itself. The steps to get this done have been stated below:
The process of authenticating Aadhaar involves verifying demographic, biometric and other information submitted to the appropriate authorities. There are several benefits of attaining Aadhaar, including ascertaining identity, attaining a document with which several government benefits and subsidies can be attained, etc.
According to the Aadhaar Act 2016, every Indian citizen who is a resident can apply for Aadhaar. The government has now even made it mandatory for taxpayers to link their PAN with Aadhaar while filing their income tax returns. Thus, if the concerned US citizen is residing in India for the last 182 days continuously or in parts in a year, he/she will be eligible to apply for an Aadhaar card. However, this card can be used only in India. The Aadhaar is not a proof of Indian citizenship and should be considered so.
To check whether a bank account is linked with the Aadhaar or not, you can visit the website – www.resident.uidai.gov.in and select the appropriate option. You will have to login using your Aadhaar number and OTP and will thereafter be able to check the bank account and Aadhaar linking. This facility has been provided by the UIDAI.
To get your mobile number linked/updated with your Aadhaar card/number, you will have to first visit the Aadhaar centres, the information and location of which you will find on the UIDAI website. At the Aadhaar Enrolment Centre, you will have to submit a request for mobile phone updation. After submitting of the request, the mobile number will be linked with Aadhaar.
A URN is given to every individual whose updation request form is successfully submitted. The tracking of the updation request can be done with help of this URN.
Yes, it is compulsory/mandatory for every individual to link his/her bank account with the Aadhaar number. This was made mandatory by the Government of India.
No, you will not have to pay any fee as no fee is charged by UIDAI for the Aadhaar enrolment process. Even if you are applying for a duplicate Aadhaar card, it is free of cost.
According to the current norms, it is not possible to e-file a tax return without the Aadhaar. PAN has to mandatorily be linked with Aadhaar. The e-filing of the tax returns would not be processed if the PAN and Aadhaar are not linked.
Only residents of India can apply for an Aadhaar number, whether Indian citizens, foreigners, or NRIs. The foreigners who do not reside in India or have not resided for a total period of 182 days are not residents, and hence are not eligible to attain Aadhaar card. The biometric details need to be provided at one of the Aadhaar Enrolment Centres where the residential address in India has to be provided.
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