Aadhaar

UIDAI, i.e., Unique Identification Authority of India, was launched in the year 2009 and was assigned with the onus of issuing unique identification numbers to all resident citizens of India. The unique identification number, or in other words, Aadhar, is a twelve-digit number that enables the government to identify genuinely eligible candidates for certain subsidies and benefits announced by the government from time to time.

The Aadhar number has to be mandatorily linked to PAN in order to bring about transparency in financial transactions and put an end to illegal activities. Also, Aadhar is an integral part of the KYC and has to be provided while opening a bank account. It serves as identity proof, addresses proof as well as age proof.

Aadhar Card is issued by UIDAI by taking into account the Demographic and Biometric details of every individual. Demographic details contain information like Name, Date of Birth/Age, Address, whereas Biometric details are the Iris and fingerprint scan.

So the Aadhar Card details comprise of name, date of birth/age and address and the fingerprint and iris scan of the individual.

The following are eligible for Aadhar Card.

• Every Resident Indian, irrespective of age, is eligible for Aadhar. Any person who's stayed in India for over 180 days from the date of submitting the Aadhar application is considered a resident Indian.
• Adhaar Card is for adults, and Bal Adhaar Card is for children below five years.
• NRIs and Foreigners who have been in India for more than a year are also eligible for Aadhar Card.

You can apply for Aadhaars by visiting the nearest enrolment centre. You should go prepared with supporting documents, i.e., proof of address and proof of identity, before you go to the enrolment centre.

You have the advantage of booking an Aadhar appointment at the enrolment centre by visiting the official UIDAI if you intend to avoid a long wait for enrolment. The process involved in applying for a new Aadhar Card is given below.

• Visit the official website of UIDAI-the Aadhar issuing Authority, to get information about the enrolment centre near you. You can also download the Aadhar application form and take a printout.
• Fill up the application form with the required details and submit it to the Aadhar enrolment centre along with the supporting documents.
• After the documents are verified, biometric data, i.e., fingerprint and iris scan, has to be done.
• Even your photograph is taken for Aadhar at the enrolment centre.
• On accepting the application, an acknowledgement with a 14 digit enrolment number will be given.
• The enrolment number will help you track the status of your Aadhar application.

Adhaar Card Verification is necessary to ensure the validity of the Aadhar Card as well as to make sure that the Card has been issued. You will be able to see the following Aadhar details on the Aadhar Card website while verifying the Aadhar Card.

• Gender
• Age
• State of Residence

If you notice any discrepancy, it can be immediately taken up with the UIDAI by either writing to them through Email or calling the toll-free helpline.

The steps to be followed for Aadhar Card Online Verification is given below:

• Access https://uidai.gov.in-the official UIDAI website.
• Click on ‘Aadhar Services’ present at the bottom of the page
• Tap on ‘Verify Aadhar Number’
• Another page will open for Aadhar Verification.
• Enter the Aadhar Card Number
• Enter the Captcha to then click on the ‘Proceed to Verify’ tab
• Your Aadhar will be verified.

Once the process of submitting the application is complete, it will take about 90 days for issuing the New Aadhar Card. The Card is always sent to your address mentioned in the application by post. If you are in immediate need of a Card, you can also download the Aadhar Card copy, which is known as E-Aadhar. The steps for downloading the E-Aadhar is given below:

• Access the Aadhar Card website
• Either the Aadhar number or the enrolment number can be used to fill-up the form.

If you have mentioned the Aadhar Card number, then you should also mention your name, pin code and mobile number.

If you have mentioned the enrolment number, then you should also mention the date and time as available in the acknowledgement slip and should also mention your name, pin code and mobile number.

By entering the OTP sent to your mobile number, you will be able to download a coloured version of the Aadhar Card, which is as good as the new Aadhar Card.

You can check the Aadhar Card Status online with the help of the enrolment number that is available in the acknowledgement slip received on submitting the Aadhar application form at the Aadhar Enrolment Centre. Follow the simple steps given below and check your Aadhar Card Status.

• Access the website https://myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in/CheckAadhaarStatus
• Enter the enrolment number along with the date and time given in the acknowledgement slip
• You will see a Captcha, and you will have to enter the Captcha Code
• Click on the ‘Check Status’ tab
• The status of the Aadhar Card will be displayed on the screen.
• If the Aadhar card is generated, you can download the E-Aadhar and take a printout.

You can also check the Aadhar Status without the enrolment number. The steps to be followed are given below:

• Access the website www..uidai.gov.in/edetails.aspx
• Click on the ‘Retrieve EID/UID
• You will be directed to the retrieval page, where you will have to enter your name, email id, mobile number and security code.
• Enter the OTP sent to your mobile number and click on the ‘Verify OTP’ tab
• On verification of OTP, the Enrolment Number will be sent to your mobile number and email ID.

You can then check the Aadhar status using the enrolment number.

You can edit/update demographic details like address, gender, date of birth/age and name (minor changes) online through the Self Service Update Portal. The step-by-step process should be followed to update Aadhar Card details online.

• Access the SSUP Portal
• Click on Login
• Enter the 12-digit Aadhar Number and the Captcha code
• In the next step, click on the ‘Send OTP’ tab.
• You will receive an OTP on your mobile number registered under the UIDAI database.
• You will gain access to your Aadhar account.
• Under ‘Services’, click on ‘Update Aadhar Online.’
• You will be directed to the next page, where you click on the ‘Proceed to Update Aadhar’ tab.
• Here you choose the Aadhar detail that you wish to update and click on the ‘Proceed to Update Aadhar’ tab.
• The existing details on the Aadhar Card will be displayed.
• Enter the new version of the details to be updated.
• Upload the scanned copies of the required supporting documents.
• Check the updated details in the preview.
• Make the payment of the updation fee of Rs. 50/- vide debit/credit card or netbanking.
• An Update Request Number (URN) will be generated on successful payment.
• The URN number can be quoted to check the status of the Aadhar Updation.
• It will take about 5 to 7 days for the updation process.
• Once the updation is done, you can download the updated online Aadhar.

Details like mobile number, email ID and Biometric data can be updated only by visiting the nearest enrolment centre. The procedure for offline Aadhar Updation is given below:

• Visit the nearest Aadhar Enrolment Centre.
• Fill up an Aadhar Correction Form.
• Submit the completed form along with the self-attested copies of the supporting documents.
• You will have to pay a fee every time an updation request is submitted in the Enrolment Centre.
• On making the payment, an acknowledgement slip with the URN number will be given.
• You can quote the URN number to track the status of the Aadhar Updation.

There are various forms of Aadhar Card introduced by UIDAI to suit the convenience of the residents. Initially, it was only Aadhar Card. Later the Aadhar Letter was introduced, followed by e-Aadhar and mAadhar. The latest one is Aadhar PVC Card which is very convenient to carry. It has an Aadhar Secure QR Code that bears a digital signature along with photograph and biometric details. It also has various other security features like

• Hologram
• Ghost Image
• Issue date and the print date
• Embossed Aadhar Logo
• Guilloche Pattern

The PVC Card can be ordered online through a few simple steps.

• Visit the website uidai.gov.in or resident.uidai.gov.in. 
• Click on the ‘Order Aadhar PVC Card’ tab.
• A new page will open.
• Enter the Enrolment Number, Virtual Identification Number or 12-digit Aadhar Number.
• Enter the Captcha Code
• Now put a tick mark if your mobile number is not registered with Aadhar and enter the mobile number.
• Click on ‘Send OTP’ if the mobile number is unregistered and on ‘Send TOTP’ if your mobile number is registered with Aadhar.
• Enter the OTP or TOTP and click on the ‘Submit’ button.
• A preview of the Aadhar Details will appear on the screen. Check the details carefully.
• Make the payment either through UPI, Debit/Credit Card or Netbanking.
• On successful payment, a payment slip can be downloaded.