How to Download Aadhaar Card Online (e-Aadhaar) 2026
You can download Aadhaar card online in just a few minutes through UIDAI’s official myAadhaar portal, without visiting an Aadhaar Seva Kendra. The downloaded e-Aadhaar is a valid, password-protected PDF that carries the same legal validity as the physical card. This guide covers the exact steps, what you need before you start, how to open the password-protected file, and the masked Aadhaar option for extra privacy.
What Is e-Aadhaar and Is It Valid?
e-Aadhaar is the digitally signed, downloadable version of your Aadhaar card issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). It carries a QR code and digital signature, making it as valid as the physical PVC or paper Aadhaar card for identity and address verification across banks, telecom providers, and government offices.
What You Need Before You Start
Before you download Aadhaar card online, keep the following ready:
- Your 12-digit Aadhaar number, 28-digit Enrolment ID (EID), or 16-digit Virtual ID (VID)
- A mobile number registered with Aadhaar to receive the OTP
- Access to a device that can complete the captcha and open a PDF
How to Download Aadhaar Card Online via myAadhaar Portal
Follow these steps on the official UIDAI myAadhaar portal to download your e-Aadhaar:
Download your Aadhaar card online in seven steps:
Visit the myAadhaar portal
Go to the official myAadhaar website and select “Download Aadhaar” under the Get Aadhaar section.
Enter your Aadhaar, EID, or VID
Choose the identifier you have on hand and type it in accurately.
Complete the captcha
Fill in the security code shown on screen to proceed.
Request the OTP
Click “Send OTP” to receive a 6-digit one-time password on your registered mobile number.
Choose masked Aadhaar (optional)
Tick the masked Aadhaar box if you want only the last four digits visible.
Enter the OTP and download
Submit the OTP to verify your identity, then download the e-Aadhaar PDF.
Open the file with the password
Use the password format described below to open your downloaded e-Aadhaar.
Downloading Aadhaar via VID or a Forgotten UID/EID
If you would rather not share your actual Aadhaar number, generate a 16-digit Virtual ID (VID) from the same portal and use it instead for the download. If you have forgotten both your Aadhaar number and Enrolment ID, use the “Retrieve Lost or Forgotten EID/UID” option, verify with your registered name and mobile number via OTP, and then proceed with the standard download steps above.
How to Open Your e-Aadhaar PDF (Password Format)
The downloaded e-Aadhaar PDF is password-protected. The password is the first four letters of your name in capital letters, exactly as printed on your Aadhaar, followed by your four-digit birth year. For example, if your name is Rahul Sharma and you were born in 1990, your password would be RAHU1990.
Masked Aadhaar: What It Is and When to Use It
Masked Aadhaar hides the first eight digits of your Aadhaar number and shows only the last four, while keeping your name, address, photo, and QR code fully visible and verifiable. It carries the same legal validity as a full Aadhaar and is a safer option to share with private companies, landlords, or employers who do not need your complete Aadhaar number. This makes masked Aadhaar a smart choice whenever you download Aadhaar card online to share with a third party.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Entering an outdated mobile number that is no longer linked to Aadhaar
- Mistyping the Aadhaar number, EID, or VID
- Forgetting the password format and assuming the PDF is corrupted
- Using unofficial third-party websites instead of the official myAadhaar portal
- Sharing your full Aadhaar number when a masked Aadhaar would be safer
Aadhaar Card Download FAQs
Is the downloaded e-Aadhaar as valid as the physical card?
Yes. e-Aadhaar carries a digital signature and QR code from UIDAI and is accepted as valid proof of identity and address wherever a physical Aadhaar card is accepted.
What is the password to open the e-Aadhaar PDF?
The password is the first four letters of your name in capitals, as printed on your Aadhaar, followed by your four-digit birth year, with no spaces.
Can I download Aadhaar card online without OTP?
No. OTP verification through your registered mobile number is mandatory to download Aadhaar online through the official myAadhaar portal.
What if my mobile number is not linked to Aadhaar?
You will need to visit the nearest Aadhaar Seva Kendra to update your mobile number before you can download Aadhaar online using OTP verification.
What is the difference between Aadhaar and masked Aadhaar?
A masked Aadhaar hides the first eight digits of your Aadhaar number and shows only the last four, while remaining fully valid for identity verification.
Final Thoughts
Downloading your Aadhaar card online takes only a few minutes once your registered mobile number is active for OTP verification. Always use the official myAadhaar portal, keep your e-Aadhaar password handy, and consider the masked option whenever you are sharing a copy with a third party. For more government service guides, see our coverage of PAN card online apply and PM Awas Yojana 2026.
