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🇮🇳 India

Aadhaar Enrollment

Indian Biometric Identity Registration

Easy ~15 min IdentityIndiaAadhaarBiometric

/ What is this form?

Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). Over 1.4 billion Aadhaar numbers have been issued, covering virtually the entire Indian population, making it the world's largest biometric database. The system was established under the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016.

Aadhaar links biometric data (10 fingerprints, 2 iris scans, facial photograph) with demographic data (name, date of birth, gender, address) and a unique 12-digit number. This combination enables secure, real-time identity verification via OTP (one-time password) or biometric authentication, eliminating fraudulent duplicate identities in government programs.

Aadhaar is now required for or deeply integrated into: income tax filing (PAN-Aadhaar linking mandatory), opening bank accounts (KYC), purchasing mobile SIMs, accessing government subsidies (LPG, PDS rations), passport applications, EPF withdrawals, and insurance purchases. Enrollment is free at any UIDAI-designated Enrollment Centre.

/ Who needs this form?

  • All Indian residents — citizens and long-term foreign residents living in India for 182+ days in 12 months
  • Children at birth (enrolled by parents) and again for biometric updates at age 5 and 15
  • Anyone who needs to access government services, open bank accounts, or purchase mobile SIMs in India
  • Foreign nationals who are residents of India and need Indian financial services
  • Individuals needing to link PAN with Aadhaar (mandatory for income tax compliance)

/ What you need before you start

One Proof of Identity document: passport, voter ID, PAN card, driving licence, or other UIDAI-approved document
One Proof of Address document: passport, bank passbook, utility bill, ration card, or other approved document
Mobile number (highly recommended — enables OTP authentication)
For children under 5: birth certificate + parent's Aadhaar

/ Step-by-step guide

1 Find an Enrollment Centre
Visit uidai.gov.in to find an Aadhaar Enrollment Centre near you. Centers are located at banks, post offices, government offices, and designated CSC (Common Service Centre) locations. Some centers require appointments; many accept walk-ins. Bring original documents — no photocopies.
2 Complete the Enrollment Form
Fill the Aadhaar enrollment form (available at the centre): name (in English and optionally in regional language), date of birth or age declaration, gender, address, mobile number (recommended — needed for OTP-based authentication), and email (optional). The form is typically filled by the enrollment operator.
3 Biometric Capture
The enrollment operator captures: all 10 fingerprints, both iris scans, and a facial photograph. This is what makes Aadhaar unique — it cannot be duplicated for the same person. Children under 5 are enrolled without biometrics (only photo) and must update biometrics at age 5 and again at 15.
4 Provide Documents
Provide one document each for Proof of Identity (PoI) and Proof of Address (PoA) from the UIDAI-approved list. Accepted documents include: passport, PAN card, voter ID, driving licence, bank passbook, utility bills, NREGA job card, and others. If you have no documents, Introducer or Head of Family enrollment is possible.

/ Key fields explained

Field What to enter Common mistake
Name Full legal name in English (and optionally in the regional language of your state). Name should match the supporting documents you provide. Corrections after enrollment require a name update request. Providing a different spelling than what appears on your PAN, passport, or bank records — name mismatches between Aadhaar and other documents cause KYC failures.
Date of Birth vs Age Declaration Provide exact DOB (if you have a birth certificate, school certificate, or passport showing DOB) — your DOB is printed on the Aadhaar card. If no proof of exact DOB, declare approximate year of birth. Declaring an approximate age when you have a document proving exact DOB — imprecise age on Aadhaar can cause problems with services requiring age verification.
Address Your current residential address in India. UIDAI verifies the address with the document you provide. Your Aadhaar address must be a residential address, not a work address. Using a workplace or business address — Aadhaar requires a residential address. Services like LPG subsidies and banking KYC use this as your legal residence address.

/ Common mistakes to avoid

Not linking mobile number during enrollment — without a mobile link, you lose access to all OTP-based services. Update mobile at myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in or a Post Office.
Using mediators who charge fees — Aadhaar enrollment is completely free at official centers. Paying touts or agents is unnecessary and potentially fraudulent.
Not getting a child's biometrics updated at age 5 and 15 — mandatory biometric updates maintain the Aadhaar's validity for the child.
Sharing your Aadhaar number carelessly — use 'Masked Aadhaar' (which shows only last 4 digits) for non-essential KYC to protect against identity misuse.

/ Frequently asked questions

Is Aadhaar mandatory?

Aadhaar is voluntary for most purposes under Supreme Court of India rulings, but practically required for a wide range of government services, tax filing, banking, and mobile SIMs. Voluntary alternatives exist for some services.

Can foreign nationals get Aadhaar?

Yes. Foreign nationals who have lived in India for at least 182 days in the preceding 12 months are eligible for Aadhaar enrollment. They can use their passport as Proof of Identity and address proof from the approved list.

What is a Virtual ID (VID)?

A Virtual ID is a randomly generated 16-digit number that can be used instead of your actual 12-digit Aadhaar number for authentication — protecting your actual Aadhaar number from exposure. Generate at myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in.

Can I update my Aadhaar details online?

Yes. Address update, mobile number update, email update, and language update can be done online at myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in. Name, DOB, and gender updates require visiting an enrollment centre with supporting documents.