Aadhar Card is a 12-digit unique identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to all residents of India.
Residents provide their biometric and demographic details at government-authorized Aadhar enrolment centers or Aadhar Seva Kendras (ASKs) to obtain the card. The card includes iris scans, fingerprints, and photographs and serves as proof of identity and address for various purposes such as availing government benefits and subsidies, opening bank accounts, and filing income tax returns.
Aadhar Card Eligibility
To be eligible for an Aadhar card, a person must be a resident of India. The card is issued to individuals of all ages, including infants and senior citizens.
The Aadhar card eligibility criteria are as follows:
- Any resident of India, regardless of age, gender, or nationality, is eligible to apply for an Aadhar card.
- Non-residents residing in India for more than 182 days in the previous 12 months can also apply for an Aadhar card.
Aadhar Card for Resident Indians
Any Indian citizen, regardless of age or gender, can apply for an Aadhar card. The Aadhar card is a valid proof of identity and address and is accepted by various government and private organizations for availing services and benefits.
Aadhar Card for NRIs
Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) who have lived in India for more than 182 days in the previous 12 months are eligible to apply for an Aadhar card.
Baal Aadhar or Aadhar Card for Minors
Children below the age of 5 years are eligible for Baal Aadhar, a blue-colored Aadhar card that does not contain biometric details. The Baal Aadhar card contains the child’s name, photograph, and the Aadhar number of the child’s parent or guardian.
Once the child reaches the age of 5 years, the Baal Aadhar card can be updated with biometric details.
Documents Required for Aadhar Card
To enroll for an Aadhar card, residents must carry certain documents as proof of identity, address, age, and relationship. The following documents can be used for each category:
Proof of Identity (POI)
The following documents may serve as proof of identity during Aadhar card enrollment.
- Passport
- Voter ID Card
- PAN Card
- NREGA job card
- Kissan photo passbook
- Pensioners’ photo ID card
- ECHS/CGHS photo card
- Photo ID cards issued by the Government
- Ration card
- Address card containing name and picture issued by the Department of Posts
Proof of Address (POA)
The following documents may serve as proof of address during Aadhar card enrollment:
- Passport
- Passbook
- Ration card
- Bank statement
- Vehicle registration certificate
- Gas connection bill (must not be older than three months)
- A signed letter that has a photo from the bank on a letterhead
- Government photo ID cards or PSU-issued service photo identity card
- Address card with a photo issued by the Department of Posts
- Signed letter with photo and issued by a recognized educational institution on a letterhead
- Property tax receipt (must not be older than a year)
Proof of Age
The following documents may serve as proof of address:
- Birth certificate
- Passport
- PAN card
- SSC certificate
- Mark sheet issued by government university or board
- State/central pension payment order
- Certificate of date of birth and issued by group a gazetted officer on a letterhead
Proof of Relationship
The following documents may serve as proof of relationship:
- Passport
- PDS card
- Family entitlement document that is issued by central/state government
- Birth certificate issued by Registrar of Birth or municipal corporation or local government.
For complete list of documents, visit Documents Required For Aadhar Card
How to Apply for Aadhar Card
To apply for an Aadhar card, individuals can visit any authorized Aadhar Enrolment Centre or Permanent Enrolment Centre. An updated list of available enrolment centers can be found on the UIDAI website.
UIDAI has made the process even more accessible by authorizing over 10,000 post offices and bank branches to operate as Permanent Enrolment Centres.
The following are the step-by-step instructions for applying for an Aadhar Card:
- Find the nearest Aadhar enrolment center.
- Fill the Aadhar enrollment form and submit the necessary documents.
- Complete the process of providing your biometric information and collect the acknowledgment slip.
Find more detail about How To Apply For Aadhar Card
How to Check Aadhar Application Status Online
To check your Aadhar application’s status online, you must visit the official UIDAI website. Enter your enrolment number and security code on “Check Aadhar Status” in the “Get Aadhar” section.
More details at: AADHAR Card Status – AADHAAR Status Enquiry
How to Download or Print Aadhar Card Online
Once you have completed the Aadhar enrolment process, you can download and print your Aadhar Card from the UIDAI website. This e-Aadhar Card can be accessed and downloaded easily in a PDF format from the UIDAI website.
There are multiple ways to download and print your Aadhar Card by using any of the following:
- Aadhar Number
- Enrolment ID
- Virtual ID
- mAadhaar App