Quick answer: The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is the government body that issues Aadhaar, the 12-digit identity number for residents of India, and runs Aadhaar enrolment, updates and authentication. It is a statutory authority set up on 12 July 2016 under the Aadhaar Act, 2016, and works under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). UIDAI is the organisation; Aadhaar is the number it issues. Enrolment is free.
UIDAI and Aadhaar: not the same thing
An earlier version of this article said “UIDAI and Aadhaar card are the same”. They are related but different:
- UIDAI is the authority. Under the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016, it is responsible for enrolment, authentication, managing every stage of an Aadhaar number’s life cycle, and keeping identity information secure.
- Aadhaar is the 12-digit number UIDAI issues. The Aadhaar letter, the PVC card, e-Aadhaar and the Aadhaar app are all ways of holding the same number, and UIDAI treats them as equally valid. “UID card” is not an official name.
UIDAI traces its origins to the government’s unique identification initiative of 2006. The Aadhaar Act was later amended by the Aadhaar and Other Laws (Amendment) Act, 2019, with effect from 25 July 2019. The Act and the 2018 Supreme Court judgment are covered in our explainer on the Aadhaar Act from the 2016 Bill to the law today.
UIDAI at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Unique Identification Authority of India |
| Legal status | Statutory authority under the Aadhaar Act, 2016 (established 12 July 2016) |
| Ministry | Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) |
| Leadership (as listed on uidai.gov.in, October 2026) | Chairperson Neelkanth Mishra; CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar |
| Aadhaar numbers generated | 145.32 crore, according to UIDAI’s Aadhaar Dashboard (last updated 28 September 2026) |
| Official websites | uidai.gov.in; myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in (online services) |
| Helpline | 1947 (toll-free); email help@uidai.gov.in |
What UIDAI does
- Enrolment: issues Aadhaar to residents of any age, including children. Children under five get a Baal Aadhaar without biometrics.
- Updates: lets you change demographic details (name, address, date of birth and others) and biometrics, within the limits it sets.
- Authentication: confirms a person’s identity for banks, government schemes and other agencies by OTP, fingerprint, iris or face.
- Security: protects stored identity data. Unauthorised access to the Aadhaar database is punishable with up to 10 years in jail under the 2019 amendment.
Who can get Aadhaar, and what it contains
Aadhaar is for residents of India, not only citizens, and it is not proof of citizenship. Children can enrol too; unlike a voter ID, you do not have to wait until you are 18. Aadhaar records:
- demographic details: name, date of birth, gender and address, plus optional mobile number and email;
- biometrics: ten fingerprints, both iris scans and a photograph.
The biometrics are what let UIDAI make each number unique. Indian citizens living abroad (NRIs) with a valid Indian passport can also enrol at a centre in India.
How to apply for Aadhaar
Aadhaar enrolment is done in person, because your biometrics must be captured. An earlier version of this article said you could “fill up the form online”; you can book an appointment online, but not enrol online.
- Find a centre. Use “Locate Enrolment Centre” on uidai.gov.in, or see how to find an Aadhaar enrolment centre near you. Centres include UIDAI-run Aadhaar Seva Kendras and Aadhaar centres in banks, post offices and government offices.
- Book a slot (optional). Aadhaar Seva Kendras take bookings on bookappointment.uidai.gov.in. Booking is free; here is how to book an Aadhaar appointment.
- Take original documents as proof of identity and address (and date of birth if you have it).
- Give your details and biometrics to the operator, check the details on the screen, and collect the acknowledgement slip with your Enrolment ID.
- Track and download. Check the status on myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in and download e-Aadhaar there once it is generated.
For children under five, see our guide to Baal Aadhaar for children.
Documents you can use
UIDAI publishes separate document lists for children under five, for 5 to 18-year-olds, for adults and for updates. For adults, the list includes:
- Identity and address: a valid Indian passport, ration card or e-ration card, voter ID, driving licence, and government or PSU service photo ID cards.
- Address only: electricity, water, gas, landline or post-paid mobile bills (not older than three months), and a registered sale or gift deed or a rent agreement.
The original version of this article listed bank passbooks and statements for enrolment. In UIDAI’s current list, those appear among documents for updating an existing Aadhaar, not for a new adult enrolment. Check the latest list on uidai.gov.in before you go, because it is revised from time to time.
How long it takes and what it costs
- Cost: enrolment is free. If anyone charges you for a new enrolment, report it on the 1947 helpline or to UIDAI.
- Time: UIDAI’s citizen charter allows up to 180 days to generate Aadhaar for adults and up to 30 days for those under 18; most are done much faster. The earlier “60 to 90 days” figure in this article is outdated.
- Updates: some updates are charged. For example, a separate demographic update at a centre costs ₹75, according to UIDAI’s published charges.
Where Aadhaar is used, and where it is optional
The original article said Aadhaar can be used “as valid proof in all sectors”. The legal position is narrower:
- Required: for allotment of a PAN and linking it, and for filing income tax returns. It can also be required for government subsidies and benefits notified under Section 7 of the Aadhaar Act, such as subsidised LPG. Since 1 October 2026, biometric Aadhaar authentication is required for subsidised LPG refills.
- Optional: for bank accounts and mobile SIM cards, where Aadhaar e-KYC is voluntary. Our guide to what you should link Aadhaar with covers each case.
- Provident fund: Aadhaar is linked to your EPF Universal Account Number (UAN) for online PF services.
Two benefits listed in the earlier version need correcting:
- “Hassle-free passport service within 10 days”: passport timelines depend on the Passport Seva process and police verification, not on Aadhaar.
- “Concession in railway ticket booking for senior citizens”: Indian Railways withdrew senior citizen fare concessions from 20 March 2020, and they had not been restored as of the latest reports we found.
Frequently asked questions
Is UIDAI the same as Aadhaar?
No. UIDAI is the authority that issues and manages Aadhaar; Aadhaar is the 12-digit number it issues.
Which ministry does UIDAI come under?
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
Can I apply for Aadhaar online?
No. You can book an appointment online, but enrolment must be done in person at an Aadhaar centre because your fingerprints, iris scans and photo are captured.
Is Aadhaar proof of citizenship?
No. Aadhaar is issued to residents, and it is proof of identity and address, not of citizenship.
How many Aadhaar numbers have been issued?
145.32 crore, according to UIDAI’s Aadhaar Dashboard as last updated on 28 September 2026.
This guide was checked in October 2026 against uidai.gov.in (About UIDAI, the Aadhaar Dashboard, the list of acceptable documents and published charges), the Aadhaar Act, 2016 as amended in 2019, and PIB’s September 2026 notice on LPG authentication. Rules and fees change, so confirm on uidai.gov.in before you visit a centre.
