Your Aadhaar is needed for almost everything — opening a bank account, getting a SIM card, filing income tax returns, applying for a scholarship or claiming a government scheme benefit. But what if you lose the paper letter, or the card in your wallet is torn and faded? The good news: you do not need to stand in any queue. You can download your e-Aadhaar PDF from the official UIDAI website in about two minutes, completely free of charge, and legally it is just as valid as the original letter that came by post.
If you want a sturdy, wallet-sized card, UIDAI also lets you order an official Aadhaar PVC card online. Since 1 January 2026 the fee for this card is ₹75. This guide explains both options step by step, how to open the password-protected PDF, when to use a masked Aadhaar, and how to avoid fake websites.
What is e-Aadhaar and is it valid?
e-Aadhaar is a password-protected electronic copy of your Aadhaar, digitally signed by UIDAI. It carries your name, date of birth, gender, address, photograph and a QR code. As per the Aadhaar Act, an e-Aadhaar has the same legal validity as the physical Aadhaar letter, so banks, telecom companies, gas agencies and government offices must accept it. You can download it again any number of times — there is no limit and no charge.
Different forms of Aadhaar — which one should you use?
| Form of Aadhaar | Cost and best use |
| e-Aadhaar (PDF) | Free. Full Aadhaar number visible. Use for KYC, bank, passport, government forms |
| Masked Aadhaar (PDF) | Free. First 8 digits hidden (shows XXXX-XXXX-1234). Use when sharing with hotels, shops, private companies |
| Aadhaar PVC card | ₹75 (includes GST and Speed Post). Durable wallet card ordered from UIDAI |
| Aadhaar letter (paper) | Posted at enrolment or update. Valid, but easy to lose or damage |
| Aadhaar app / QR share | Free. Share only selected details digitally using a QR code |
What you need before you start
- ●Your 12-digit Aadhaar number, or your 16-digit Virtual ID (VID), or your 28-digit Enrolment ID (EID)
- ●A mobile number registered with Aadhaar — the OTP will be sent to this number only for e-Aadhaar download
- ●A smartphone or computer with internet access and a PDF reader such as Adobe Acrobat Reader
- ●Your full name and year of birth exactly as printed on Aadhaar — you need them to make the PDF password
How to download e-Aadhaar online (step by step)
- 1Open your browser and go to https://myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in (type the address yourself; do not click links from SMS or WhatsApp).
- 2Click the 'Download Aadhaar' option under the 'Get Aadhaar' section on the home page.
- 3Choose how you want to identify yourself: 'Aadhaar Number', 'VID' or 'Enrolment ID (EID)', then type the number.
- 4If you want a masked copy, tick the box 'Do you want a masked Aadhaar?' — leave it unticked for the full number.
- 5Type the captcha code shown on the screen and click 'Send OTP'.
- 6Enter the 6-digit OTP received on your Aadhaar-registered mobile number in the 'Enter OTP' box.
- 7Click 'Verify & Download'. The PDF file will be saved in your Downloads folder or phone storage.
How to open the e-Aadhaar PDF (password format)
The downloaded file is locked. The password is the first four letters of your name in CAPITAL letters followed by your year of birth in four digits (YYYY). The table below shows how it works.
| Name on Aadhaar and year of birth | PDF password |
| SURESH KUMAR, born 1990 | SURE1990 |
| SAI KUMAR, born 1985 | SAIK1985 |
| P. KUMAR, born 1992 | P.KU1992 |
| RIA, born 2001 | RIA2001 |
If the PDF does not open, check that you typed the letters in CAPITALS, that you used the spelling printed on your Aadhaar (not your school or bank spelling), and that you are using an up-to-date PDF reader. Names shorter than four letters use the full name followed by the year.
When should you use a masked Aadhaar?
A masked Aadhaar replaces the first 8 digits of your number with 'XXXX-XXXX' so only the last 4 digits are visible. It still shows your name, photo, address and QR code. UIDAI recommends sharing the masked copy wherever the full number is not strictly required — for example when checking into a hotel, giving an ID proof to a shop or submitting a document to a private company. Banks, telecom operators and government departments that are legally entitled to your Aadhaar number can still ask for the full e-Aadhaar.
Never upload or send your full Aadhaar PDF to unknown persons, free photo-copy shops or random apps. Never share your OTP with anyone, even if the caller claims to be from UIDAI, a bank or the police. UIDAI never asks for your OTP or PIN over phone, SMS or WhatsApp.
How to order an Aadhaar PVC card online (₹75)
The Aadhaar PVC card is a plastic, wallet-sized card that is printed and posted by UIDAI. It carries your photo, demographic details and a secure QR code. Reports on UIDAI's revised FAQ indicate that the hologram feature has been discontinued on the PVC card, so the QR code is now the main way to verify the card. A key advantage is that you can order it even if your mobile number is not registered with Aadhaar.
- 1Go to https://myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in and click 'Order Aadhaar PVC Card' on the home page.
- 2Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number, 16-digit VID or 28-digit EID, then type the captcha.
- 3If your mobile number is not registered with Aadhaar, tick the option 'My mobile number is not registered' and type any working mobile number to receive the OTP.
- 4Click 'Send OTP', enter the 6-digit OTP and click 'Submit'.
- 5Check the preview of your card details (name, address, photo). If anything is wrong, stop and update your Aadhaar first.
- 6Click 'Make Payment' and pay ₹75 using UPI, debit card, credit card or net banking.
- 7After payment, download the receipt and note your Service Request Number (SRN) to track the order.
PVC card fee, delivery time and tracking
| Item | Details |
| Fee | ₹75 per card (raised from ₹50 on 1 January 2026), inclusive of GST and Speed Post charges |
| Payment modes | UPI, debit card, credit card, net banking |
| Dispatch by UIDAI | Usually within about 5 working days of ordering |
| Total delivery time | Typically 5 to 15 working days by India Post Speed Post |
| Delivery address | Only the address currently registered in your Aadhaar |
| Tracking | Order status on myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in using SRN, then India Post Speed Post consignment number |
The card goes only to the address stored in Aadhaar. If you have moved house, update your address first through the 'Update Aadhaar' option on myAadhaar, and only then place the PVC order — otherwise your card will go to the old address. Also avoid plastic or 'smart' Aadhaar cards sold at local print shops or markets; they are not issued by UIDAI and their QR code may not be accepted.
Other ways to get your Aadhaar
- ●DigiLocker: link your Aadhaar and pull the Aadhaar document into your DigiLocker account at https://www.digilocker.gov.in — accepted as a valid digital document.
- ●New Aadhaar app: UIDAI has started replacing the old mAadhaar app with a new Aadhaar app that supports face authentication, QR-based sharing, selective sharing of details and biometric lock. You can add up to five family members' profiles on one phone. Note that data saved in the old mAadhaar app does not carry over.
- ●Aadhaar Seva Kendra (ASK): if your mobile number is not registered, visit your nearest centre and get the mobile number updated first. Book a slot at https://appointments.uidai.gov.in.
- ●Enrolment ID (EID): if you have just enrolled and Aadhaar is not yet generated, you can download e-Aadhaar with your 28-digit EID once it is ready.
Common problems and quick fixes
| Problem | What to do |
| OTP not received | Check that the number is the one registered with Aadhaar, wait 60 seconds and click 'Resend OTP'. If still nothing, update your mobile number at an Aadhaar Seva Kendra |
| PDF password not working | Use CAPITAL letters, the exact spelling on Aadhaar and the year of birth, not the full date |
| Don't remember Aadhaar number | Use the 'Retrieve Lost or Forgotten EID/UID' option on myAadhaar with your name and registered mobile or email |
| PVC order status stuck | Track with your SRN on myAadhaar; once dispatched, use the Speed Post consignment number on indiapost.gov.in |
| Payment deducted but no SRN | Wait 24 hours, then contact UIDAI at 1947 or help@uidai.gov.in with your transaction ID |
UIDAI helpline and official contacts
- ●Toll-free helpline: 1947 (available in multiple Indian languages)
- ●Email: help@uidai.gov.in
- ●Official website: https://uidai.gov.in
- ●Self-service portal: https://myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in
Quick summary: downloading e-Aadhaar and masked Aadhaar is free and takes two minutes on myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in. Order a PVC card only from the same official portal for ₹75. Anyone asking you for extra money, your OTP or your PIN is a fraud — report it on 1947.
Frequently asked questions
- ●Is e-Aadhaar accepted everywhere? Yes. It has the same legal validity as the original Aadhaar letter and the PVC card.
- ●Can I print the e-Aadhaar PDF on normal paper? Yes. A black-and-white printout on plain paper is valid as long as the QR code is readable.
- ●Can I download Aadhaar without a registered mobile number? e-Aadhaar download needs an OTP on the registered number. You can order a PVC card using an alternate mobile number, but to download the PDF you should first update your mobile at an Aadhaar Seva Kendra.
- ●Is there any charge for downloading e-Aadhaar? No. The download is free. Only the PVC card carries a ₹75 fee.
- ●Is the PVC card more valid than the PDF? No. Both are equally valid; the PVC card is simply more convenient to carry.