When your Aadhaar card is not available, you may feel as if you have lost a lot of your everyday life. From opening a bank account to checking your identity to get the government’s benefits, Aadhaar number has now become the centrepiece of almost every official transaction. There’s no reason to worry if your card is lost.
It is now possible to recover the card, even if your mobile number is not linked, as the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has come up with an easy, quick, and secure way to help you get it back.
Below are the steps you need to follow in case you have lost your Aadhaar card and you’d like to get it back ASAP.
Online Aadhaar Recovery Only If Your Mobile Number Is Already Linked
If your mobile number has been already associated with Aadhaar, the process of recovery is really very easy and takes just a few minutes.
Please, do the following in order to recover your Aadhaar Number (UID) or Enrollment ID (EID):
- Go to the official UIDAI portal: https://myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in/retrieve-eid-uid
- Pick whether you want to know your Aadhaar Number (UID) or you’re interested in your Enrollment ID (EID)
- Enter your full name as given on the Aadhaar card and the registered mobile number and email address
- Fill in the CAPTCHA and click be happy
- Either an OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number or you will receive it through e-mail
- Your details will be sent via SMS on your mobile/emails once you have confirmed the detail
This way is not just quick but absolutely free too. To your advantage, it’s the fastest even if you are already connected to UIDAI via your mobile.
What If Your Mobile Number Isn’t Linked?
If your mobile number has not been linked to your Aadhaar, don’t worry, the process will be slightly different, but doable with a little effort.
You will have to go to any nearby Aadhaar Enrollment or Update Center with a valid proof of identification. On your arrival,
- Give your name, district, gender, or PIN code
- Do biometric verification by the means of fingerprint or iris scan
- After successful matching of your provided details with UIDAI’s records, the center will give you an e-Aadhaar printout
The service will cost you ₹30 but it guarantees you receive a valid electronic copy of your Aadhaar instantly after the verification.
Don’t Forget the UIDAI Helpline
In the event that the internet is not accessible or a visit to a center is not possible immediately, you have another option. You can dial the UIDAI helpline at 1947 for assistance.
When you are calling an agent, you should provide your name, date of birth, and area PIN code. Once the identity is confirmed, the agent will give your Enrollment ID to you through the phone. You then need to call back and use the IVRS system to retrieve your Aadhaar number by entering your EID, DOB, and PIN code.
This method is free and is especially beneficial for those living in the remote or places where it is challenging to get connected.
Lost the Physical Aadhaar Letter?
Even if you’ve misplaced or damaged the original Aadhaar letter, you can ask for a new e-Aadhaar copy. Just go to any Aadhaar center and reveal your Aadhaar number or EID. Once the organization confirms your identity through biometrics, they will make another Aadhaar for you with ₹30.
Should your Aadhaar card be lost, destroyed, or stolen, UIDAI has several means to help you get it back — through a website, on the spot, or even a phone call. You must, however, be quick about it, confirm that it is you and select the ideal recovery channel, one that is right for your particular circumstances. With features like “one-time-password” recovery, biometric authentication, and the hotline, the process of recovering the card can be really simple.
Keep this website as a bookmark so that you do not get lost if you are looking for your Aadhaar card again.