Quick Summary: The Power of e-Aadhaar

Losing your physical Aadhaar card can be stressful, but it shouldn't stop your important work. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) allows every Indian resident to download a digitally signed copy of their Aadhaar card, known as e-Aadhaar, from their official portal. This digital copy is fully password-protected and holds the exact same legal validity as the physical card sent by post, as per the Aadhaar Act.

You can download your e-Aadhaar using three different details: your 12-digit Aadhaar Number, the 28-digit Enrolment ID (EID) found on your acknowledgement slip, or the 16-digit Virtual ID (VID). The process is completely free, secure, and available 24/7. Once downloaded, the PDF file is protected by a password (usually the first 4 letters of your name in CAPITALS + Year of Birth).

Whether you need it for opening a bank account, travel proof at airports, or getting a SIM card, the e-Aadhaar works everywhere. This guide simplifies the technical steps, ensuring you can access your identity document in less than 2 minutes without visiting an Aadhaar Seva Kendra or paying any agent.

Official PDF 2 Min Read

How to Download e-Aadhaar PDF & Open it (Password Guide)

Lost your physical card? Don't worry. The e-Aadhaar is a legally valid digital copy. You can download it instantly from the UIDAI portal. This guide also explains the tricky PDF Password logic and EID format.

Verified: UIDAI (Govt of India)
Updated: Jan 2026

Warning: Fake PDF Websites

Beware of websites claiming to "Print Aadhaar on PVC Card for ₹50". These are scams to steal your Aadhaar data and address.

Official Source: ONLY download from myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in. Government websites always end with .gov.in.

Privacy Tip: "Masked Aadhaar"

Do you know you can download a version of Aadhaar that hides the first 8 digits?

Regular Aadhaar Shows Full Number (Risky)
Masked Aadhaar Shows XXXX-XXXX-1234 (Safe)

Verdict: Always use "Masked Aadhaar" for hotel check-ins or general ID proof to prevent misuse.

Don't Trust Third-Party Apps

Using unofficial apps to download Aadhaar is risky:

What You Need

You must have one of these to proceed:

  • Aadhaar Number: 12-digit number (if you remember it).
  • Enrollment ID (EID): If you just applied/updated (28 digits).
  • Registered Mobile: Crucial for OTP verification.

Ready to Download?

⚠️ Kindly check and collect the info above

1 Step 1: Download via Aadhaar Number

Use this method if you already have your 12-digit Aadhaar number.

  1. 1

    Visit myAadhaar Portal

    Go to myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in. Scroll down and click on the "Download Aadhaar" icon.

  2. 2

    Enter Details

    Select "Aadhaar Number". Enter your 12-digit number and the Captcha code shown. Click "Send OTP".

  3. 3

    Verify & Download

    Enter the OTP received on your mobile.
    Tip: Do NOT check "Do you want a masked Aadhaar" unless you want to hide the first 8 digits. Click "Verify & Download".

2 Step 2: Download via Enrollment ID (EID)

Note: If you just updated your Aadhaar, you will have an Acknowledgement Slip with a 28-digit EID. Entering this correctly is tricky.

The EID consists of 14-digit Enrollment Number + 14-digit Date/Time.

Format: 1234/12345/12345 (Enrollment No) + DD/MM/YYYY HH:MM:SS (Date)

Input Format (Correct Way):
12341234512345 + YYYYMMDD + HHMMSS
(Write Year first, then Month, then Day)

Example: If date is 05/10/2024, enter it as 20241005.

🔐 How to Open the PDF Password?

The PDF is password protected. The password is:
First 4 Letters of Name (CAPS) + Year of Birth (YYYY).

Name on Card Birth Year Password
ANISH KUMAR 1989 ANIS1989
SAI KUMAR (3 Letters) 1990 SAIK1990
P. KUMAR (With Dot) 1991 P.KU1991
RIA (Only 3 letters) 1995 RIA1995

Fix "Signature Not Verified" (?)

When you open the PDF, you might see a Yellow Question Mark on the signature. This is not valid for official use. You must validate it to get a Green Tick.

  1. Open PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader (PC only).
  2. Right-click on the signature > "Validate Signature".
  3. Click "Signature Properties" > "Show Signer's Certificate".
  4. Go to "Trust" tab > "Add to Trusted Certificates".
  5. Click OK and Validate again. It will turn Green ✅.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • 🚫
    Masked Aadhaar Confusion:

    If you tick "Masked Aadhaar" during download, the PDF will show only the last 4 digits (XXXX-XXXX-1234). This might be rejected by banks for KYC. Download "Regular" Aadhaar for full details.

  • 🚫
    Public Computer:

    Never download e-Aadhaar on a cyber cafe or office computer. If you do, delete it from the "Downloads" folder and "Recycle Bin" immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I download without a mobile number?

No. OTP is mandatory. If your mobile is not linked, you must visit an Aadhaar Enrollment Center to update your biometrics and mobile number first.

Is a PVC Card better than e-Aadhaar?

Both are equally valid. e-Aadhaar is free and instant. PVC Card costs ₹50 and is durable (plastic), but takes 15 days to arrive by post.

My name has initials (K.R. Rao). What is the password?

Include the dots. First 4 characters. So for K.R. RAO (1990), the password is K.R.1990.