How to Download Aadhaar Card (e-Aadhaar) in 2026: 4 Easy Methods + Password Guide

e-Aadhaar is the digital, password-protected PDF version of your Aadhaar card issued by UIDAI. It carries the same legal validity as the physical Aadhaar letter and is accepted everywhere — bank KYC, SIM purchase, passport applications, exam registrations, hotel check-in and airport security.

This guide shows the 4 official ways to download Aadhaar in 2026 — using your Aadhaar number, enrolment ID, mAadhaar app, or DigiLocker — plus the masked Aadhaar option for safer sharing, and how to order a hard-copy PVC card if you need one.

Method 1 — Download e-Aadhaar from myAadhaar Portal

This is the most direct method. Takes under 2 minutes.

1. Open myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in↗ on any browser
2. Click "Login" and enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number + captcha
3. Click "Send OTP" — you'll receive a 6-digit OTP on your Aadhaar-linked mobile
4. Enter the OTP and click Login
5. Once logged in, click "Download Aadhaar" → choose Regular Aadhaar or Masked Aadhaar
6. Click Download — the PDF saves to your device, opens with your password

Method 2 — Download Without Login (Quick Download)

UIDAI also offers a no-login quick download. Useful when you don't want to log into myAadhaar.

1. Go to myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in/genericDownloadAadhaar↗
2. Choose: Aadhaar Number, Enrolment ID (EID), or Virtual ID (VID)
3. Enter the number, captcha, and click "Send OTP"
4. Enter the OTP received on your registered mobile
5. Click Download — your e-Aadhaar PDF is saved

Method 3 — Use the mAadhaar App

The mAadhaar app stores your Aadhaar locally on your phone — useful when you don't have internet at airports, hotels or banks.

1. Install "mAadhaar" by UIDAI from Google Play Store or Apple App Store
2. Open the app and verify your phone number with OTP
3. Tap "Register Aadhaar", enter your Aadhaar number, get OTP, set a 4-digit password
4. Your Aadhaar profile and e-Aadhaar PDF are now saved on the device
5. You can show this directly during verification — fully offline

Method 4 — Fetch Aadhaar Into DigiLocker

DigiLocker stores a digitally signed copy of your Aadhaar — accepted as legally valid for KYC across India.

1. Open digilocker.gov.in↗ or install the DigiLocker app
2. Sign up or log in using mobile number or Aadhaar
3. Go to "Issued Documents" → "Get More Documents" → search "Aadhaar Card"
4. Select UIDAI as the issuer, enter your Aadhaar number, verify with OTP
5. Your Aadhaar is fetched directly from UIDAI — no manual upload needed

What Is the e-Aadhaar Password?

The password is 8 characters — the first 4 letters of your name (as on Aadhaar) in CAPITAL letters, followed by your birth year in YYYY format.

What Is Masked Aadhaar (and When to Use It)

Masked Aadhaar is a special version of e-Aadhaar where the first 8 digits of your Aadhaar number are replaced with "xxxx-xxxx" — only the last 4 digits are visible. Every other detail (name, photo, DOB, address) is exactly the same.

Use masked Aadhaar when sharing copies in less-trusted places:

• Hotel check-in
• Airport security
• Private office visitor registration
• Courier / e-commerce delivery verification
• Any place that doesn't legally require the full Aadhaar number

Banks, government services, telecom KYC and exam registrations still need the full Aadhaar — masked Aadhaar is for everyday sharing only.

Order a Hard-Copy PVC Aadhaar Card

If you want a durable card-format Aadhaar (like a debit card), you can order an official PVC Aadhaar from UIDAI for ₹50. It arrives by Speed Post in 5-7 working days.

1. Go to myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in↗ → "Order Aadhaar PVC Card"
2. Enter your Aadhaar number / VID / EID + captcha
3. Verify with OTP on your registered mobile
4. Preview your card and pay ₹50 (UPI / net banking / card)
5. Track delivery using the SRN number sent over SMS

Common Issues During Aadhaar Download

Mobile number not registered with Aadhaar

Online download needs OTP — and OTP goes only to the mobile registered in your Aadhaar. If your old number is dead, visit any Aadhaar Seva Kendra to update the mobile (requires biometric, cannot be done online).

Password not opening the PDF

The password is case-sensitive. "rahu1990" won't work; only "RAHU1990" will. Use the first 4 letters exactly as on Aadhaar — for compound names like "P. Kumar" with leading initial, use the actual letters that appear at the start of your name on Aadhaar.

Aadhaar number forgotten / lost

Use the "Retrieve EID / Aadhaar" option on myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in. Enter your name, mobile/email and get the Aadhaar number or EID on your registered mobile via OTP.

Old e-Aadhaar copies — are they still valid?

Yes. UIDAI has confirmed that an e-Aadhaar PDF does not expire. Any e-Aadhaar downloaded earlier (even years ago) remains legally valid — unless your name, address, photo or biometrics have been officially updated since, in which case download a fresh copy.

Official UIDAI Portals

• myAadhaar Portal — myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in↗
• UIDAI Main Site — uidai.gov.in↗
• mAadhaar App — official UIDAI app on Play Store and App Store
• DigiLocker — digilocker.gov.in↗

Final Thoughts

Don't pay any "agent" to download your Aadhaar — it's completely free on the official UIDAI portal and apps. If you need a card-format Aadhaar, order the official ₹50 PVC card directly from myAadhaar rather than buying laminated lookalikes from shops.

For everyday sharing where the full Aadhaar number isn't legally required, prefer masked Aadhaar — it satisfies most identity checks without exposing your full UID, which reduces fraud risk significantly.