Download Aadhaar Card as PDF from UIDAI (Guide)

Lost your physical Aadhaar card? Need a digital copy for a bank KYC form, a passport application, or a job portal? You don't need to visit an Aadhaar centre — you can download an official e-Aadhaar PDF from the UIDAI website in under 3 minutes.

This guide covers both methods: the UIDAI portal and DigiLocker. Both give you a legally valid Aadhaar PDF that's accepted everywhere the physical card is.

e-Aadhaar vs. Physical Aadhaar: What's the Difference?

The e-Aadhaar PDF downloaded from UIDAI is legally equivalent to the physical Aadhaar card. It carries the same 12-digit number, your photo, address, and a digitally signed QR code that institutions can verify.

Feature	Physical Aadhaar	e-Aadhaar PDF
Legal validity	✅ Valid	✅ Equally valid
Accepted for KYC	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Can be verified by QR	❌ Older cards lack it	✅ Always has a signed QR
Easy to share digitally	❌ Need to scan	✅ Ready to upload
Password-protected	N/A	✅ Yes (first 4 letters of name + birth year)
Updated address reflected	❌ Need reprint	✅ Always latest version

Pro tip: The e-Aadhaar always reflects your latest details (address, phone number). If you updated your Aadhaar recently, the downloaded PDF has the updated info — even if your physical card still shows the old details.

Method 1: Download from UIDAI (myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in)

This is the official method. Works on any browser — phone or laptop.

Step 1: Visit the UIDAI Portal

Go to myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in (the official UIDAI self-service portal).

Step 2: Enter Your Aadhaar Number

• Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number or 16-digit Virtual ID (VID)
• Complete the CAPTCHA verification
• Click Send OTP

Step 3: Verify With OTP

• An OTP is sent to the mobile number linked to your Aadhaar
• Enter the OTP within the time limit
• If your mobile number isn't linked, you'll need to visit an Aadhaar centre to link it first (this is a one-time requirement)

Step 4: Download the PDF

After OTP verification, you'll see the option to download your e-Aadhaar. The PDF downloads to your device.

Step 5: Open the Password-Protected PDF

The downloaded PDF is password-protected. The password is:

First 4 letters of your name (IN CAPS) + birth year

Example: If your name is Rahul Kumar and you were born in 1995, the password is: RAHU1995

• Only the first 4 letters of your name as printed on Aadhaar
• Always in UPPERCASE
• Birth year in 4 digits (YYYY format)

Enter this password to open and view the PDF.

Method 2: Download from DigiLocker

DigiLocker is the government's official digital document wallet. If your Aadhaar is linked, downloading is even simpler.

Step 1: Open DigiLocker

Go to digilocker.gov.in or open the DigiLocker app (available on iPhone and Android).

Step 2: Log In

• Sign in with your DigiLocker account (phone number + OTP)
• If you don't have an account, create one — it takes 2 minutes and requires your Aadhaar number

Step 3: Find Your Aadhaar

• Go to Issued Documents or search for "Aadhaar"
• Your Aadhaar should appear automatically if your Aadhaar number is linked to your DigiLocker account
• If it doesn't appear, go to Partner → UIDAI → Aadhaar and pull it

Step 4: Download

Click the download button. DigiLocker provides the Aadhaar as a PDF — this version may or may not be password-protected depending on the issuing authority.

DigiLocker advantage: Documents from DigiLocker carry a digital signature that many government portals can verify automatically. Some portals even accept a DigiLocker URI (link) instead of a file upload.

After Downloading: Preparing for Upload

Most portals that accept Aadhaar have specific requirements. Here's how to prepare your downloaded PDF.

Removing the Password

Many upload portals reject password-protected PDFs. To remove the password:

1. Open the Unlock PDF tool
2. Upload your e-Aadhaar PDF
3. Enter the password (first 4 letters of name in CAPS + birth year)
4. Download the unlocked version

Now you have a clean, unprotected PDF ready for upload.

Reducing the File Size

e-Aadhaar PDFs typically range from 500 KB to 1.5 MB. Some portals have strict limits:

Portal	Typical size limit
Passport Seva	200 KB
PAN application (NSDL)	300 KB
Bank KYC	1–2 MB
UPSC / SSC forms	200–500 KB
Scholarship portals	500 KB

If your Aadhaar PDF exceeds the limit:

1. Open the Compress PDF tool
2. Upload the Aadhaar PDF
3. Choose High compression — it typically reduces the file to under 200 KB
4. Download the compressed version

Combining Front and Back

Some portals specifically ask for "Aadhaar front and back in one PDF." The e-Aadhaar downloaded from UIDAI is already a complete document (it contains all details on one or two pages). But if you have separate images of the physical card's front and back, you can combine them:

1. Convert each image to PDF using JPG to PDF
2. Merge both PDFs using Merge PDF
3. Compress if needed using Compress PDF

We have a detailed guide for this: How to Merge Aadhaar Front and Back into a Single PDF.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

"Mobile number not registered"

You can only download e-Aadhaar if your mobile number is linked to your Aadhaar. If it isn't:

1. Visit your nearest Aadhaar Enrollment Centre
2. Request a mobile number update (carry your current phone and one ID proof)
3. The update takes 2–10 working days
4. Once linked, you can download e-Aadhaar via OTP

"OTP not received"

• Check that you're entering the correct number linked to Aadhaar (not your current number if you changed it)
• Wait 30–60 seconds — OTPs sometimes have network delays
• Try "Resend OTP" — you get a few attempts
• If using a dual-SIM phone, make sure the linked SIM is active and has network

"Password not working"

The password format catches many people. Remember:

• First 4 letters of your name only (not your full name)
• Must be in UPPERCASE
• Followed by your 4-digit birth year (not age, not DD/MM)
• No spaces between the letters and year

If your name on Aadhaar is "MOHAMMAD IQBAL" and birth year is 1990, the password is MOHA1990.

If your name has fewer than 4 letters (e.g., "RAM"), use all available letters: RAM1990.

"PDF is corrupted or won't open"

• Try downloading again — the first download may have been interrupted
• Try a different browser (Chrome often works best)
• Clear your browser cache and retry
• If the problem persists, try the DigiLocker method instead

e-Aadhaar for Specific Applications

Passport Application (Passport Seva)

• Upload size: Under 200 KB
• Format: PDF only
• Tip: Download → Unlock → Compress to High → Upload

Income Tax (ITR Filing)

• The IT portal usually verifies Aadhaar through your PAN linkage, not through a file upload
• If asked for a copy, the e-Aadhaar PDF works

Bank Account Opening

• Most banks accept e-Aadhaar for KYC — both in-branch and online
• Some banks do Aadhaar-based eKYC (no upload needed, just your Aadhaar number + OTP)
• For manual upload: Unlock + Compress + Upload

SIM Card KYC

• Telecom providers accept e-Aadhaar
• Most now use Aadhaar eKYC (biometric or OTP-based), so you may not need to upload a file
• If required: the unlocked, compressed PDF works

Scholarship and Exam Applications

• UPSC, SSC, state government exams, and university scholarships all accept e-Aadhaar
• Size limits are usually strict (200–500 KB) — always compress before uploading

Downloading on Mobile

Both UIDAI and DigiLocker work on mobile browsers:

iPhone:

1. Open Safari → go to myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in
2. Enter Aadhaar number → receive OTP
3. Download the PDF (saves to Files app)
4. Open with the password

Android:

1. Open Chrome → go to the UIDAI portal
2. Enter Aadhaar number → OTP verification
3. Download (saves to Downloads folder)
4. Open with password using any PDF reader (Google Files, Adobe Reader)

DigiLocker app is available on both platforms and provides the smoothest mobile experience.

Privacy Reminder

Your Aadhaar contains sensitive personal information. After downloading and using the PDF:

• Delete copies from your Downloads folder after uploading to the portal
• Don't share your Aadhaar PDF over unsecured email or public WhatsApp groups
• Don't post images of your Aadhaar on social media
• If you must share digitally, use the masked Aadhaar option on UIDAI (shows only last 4 digits of your number)
• Use VID (Virtual ID) instead of your actual Aadhaar number when possible — VID provides identity verification without exposing your real number

FAQ

How many times can I download e-Aadhaar? Unlimited. You can download it as many times as you need.

Is there a fee for downloading? No. Downloading from UIDAI and DigiLocker is completely free.

Can I download someone else's Aadhaar? Only if the OTP goes to a phone you have access to (i.e., the number linked to that Aadhaar). You can help a family member download theirs using their phone for OTP.

Is the e-Aadhaar accepted for address proof? Yes. e-Aadhaar is valid as both identity and address proof wherever physical Aadhaar is accepted.

My Aadhaar has my old address — can I still use it? For identity proof, yes. For address proof, you need to update your address on Aadhaar first (visit an enrolment centre or use the online address update on UIDAI).

Can I download Aadhaar without a linked mobile number? No. OTP verification requires a linked mobile number. Visit an Aadhaar centre to link your current number first.

Summary

To download your Aadhaar card as PDF:

From UIDAI:

1. Go to myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in
2. Enter Aadhaar number → verify with OTP
3. Download the PDF → open with password (FIRST4LETTERS + BIRTHYEAR)

From DigiLocker:

1. Log in to digilocker.gov.in or the app
2. Find Aadhaar in Issued Documents
3. Download

Before uploading to a portal:

1. Unlock with Unlock PDF if password-protected
2. Compress with Compress PDF to meet size limits
3. Upload the clean, compressed PDF

Your e-Aadhaar is legally valid, always up to date, and accepted everywhere. Keep a copy ready — you'll need it dozens of times throughout the year.