Aadhaar card has become one of the essential documents lately. It is used as a valid address and identity proof that is mandatory for getting a passport in 10 days, to avail LPG and other subsidies, voter card linking, opening a bank account, filing ITR, and a lot more. In this context, losing your Aadhaar card can be the worst thing that can ever happen. Also, it contains your personal details that might be wrongly put to use by someone. But fret not; this article talks about a step by step procedure to get a duplicate copy if you lost Aadhaar card.
Ideally, there are two ways to get a duplicate copy of Aadhaar card: – The online and the offline method. But before you get started with either of the processes, you will have to make sure that the mobile number and the email ID on your Aadhaar card is accurate. This is essential mainly because you’ll receive an OTP (One-Time Password) on your mobile no. and e-mail ID that will help you easily retrieve a duplicate copy of your Aadhaar.
Step-by-step guide to applying for a duplicate copy of Aadhaar card online:–
Step 1: Visit the official UIDAI website (https://uidai.gov.in/)
Step 2: Go to the “Retrieve lost UID/EID in the “Aadhaar online service” menu on the homepage
Step 3: Roll down the cursor and select ‘Aadhaar number’ in the retrieve lost UID/EID section on the page. Once done, go on to fill up the form available on the same page. Here you’ll have to fill in your personal information such as your name, email and mobile number along with the security code that is displayed in conjunction with.
Step 4: Once you are done with this, click on “Send OTP” option available at the bottom of the form. Soon after clicking on this option, you’ll receive an OTP on your registered mobile number and email ID.
Step 5: Enter that OTP and click on “Verify OTP” after which a message will be sent to your registered mobile containing your Aadhaar number.
Step 6: Now visit https://eaadhaar.uidai.gov.in/ and click on ‘Aadhaar’ next to ‘I have:’ option.
Step 7: Fill in all the essential details in the form including your Aadhaar card number, mobile number, pin code, security code and click on “Send OTP”
Step 8: Once you submit the OTP that you’ve received on your mobile number or email ID, click on ‘Enter OTP’ option and tick on ‘Click & Validate’
Note that the PDF file will be password secluded, but you can assess the file by simply entering your pin code as the password. Once the file is open and is accessible to you, take out a copy of it and use it in place of your original Aadhaar card.
The offline method
People who are not internet savvy or do not have a proper access to the internet can choose the offline method of getting a duplicate copy of Aadhaar. Just like the online method, the offline process is simple too but it takes a little labor of you visiting the Aadhaar center all by yourself to get the process done.
To get a duplicate copy of your Aadhaar card offline, you must visit the nearest Aadhaar card center. The representative there will ask to scan your biometric details and fingerprints, based on which you can get your Aadhaar card. If in case you need a paper copy of your Aadhaar card, you can either call the toll-free number 1800-300-1947 or write an email mentioning your requirement and send it to help@uidai.gov.in. Alternatively, you can even download the mAadhaar on your smartphone. It is a mobile app through which you can easily download a hard copy of your Aadhaar card and use it like an original Aadhaar.
There is no denying the fact that Aadhaar card has made our life much simple and easier. It is just one card that was once striving hard for its existence, now perfectly substitutes all other cards that were earlier used to validate a person’s identity and address. In this context, a share of credit also goes to the government of India who is making incessant efforts in making lives of people a lot simpler by easing the guidelines and procedures of different government based policies.
Those who are still unaware of the importance of Aadhaar must know that an Aadhaar card is a 12-digit Unique Identification Number that is issued by the UIDAI that serves as a valid address and identity across India. It is also the first document that secures an individual’s biometric and demographic details such as fingerprint and iris scan thus making it one of the genuine identity certificates used to open a bank account, avail pension, PF, LPG and other subsidies directly by the government. For this reason, almost every bank in the country has now made it compulsory for people to link Aadhaar with their bank accounts for continued benefits.
If you have not yet applied for the Aadhaar card or have lost/misplaced your Aadhaar somewhere, it is advised to get your Aadhaar card as soon as possible to avail uninterrupted services offered by the government of India. Nowadays linking Aadhaar card with bank accounts, mobile networks, etc. is also mandated so that the welfare subsidies can easily be sent to the right beneficiary. Earlier due to the non-availability of the identity, benefits were claimed by the fake people who deceit their identity that left genuine beneficiaries deprived of the benefits provided to them by the government.
