Quick answer: e-Aadhaar is the electronic copy of your Aadhaar: a password-protected PDF, digitally signed by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), that you download from the myAadhaar portal or the Aadhaar app. Under the Aadhaar Act it is as valid as the physical Aadhaar letter for all purposes. You can download a masked version that shows only the last 4 digits of your number, and every e-Aadhaar carries a signed QR code that can be scanned to check it is genuine.
What is e-Aadhaar?
UIDAI describes e-Aadhaar as a password-protected electronic copy of Aadhaar, digitally signed by UIDAI. It holds the same details as the Aadhaar letter that is posted to you after enrolment, and it is generated from UIDAI’s records on the day you download it.
You do not apply for e-Aadhaar separately. Once your Aadhaar has been generated, you can download it as often as you need using your Aadhaar number, your Enrolment ID or your Virtual ID, plus an OTP on your registered mobile number. An earlier version of this article said e-Aadhaar is downloaded by submitting your enrolment ID only; today three identifiers work. For each screen of the download, follow our step-by-step guide to downloading e-Aadhaar.
What information is on e-Aadhaar?
An e-Aadhaar shows:
- your Aadhaar number (or only its last 4 digits, if you choose the masked version);
- your name;
- your date of birth (only the year of birth is printed if your date of birth was recorded as “declared” or “approximate” rather than verified);
- your gender;
- your address;
- your photograph;
- a QR code digitally signed by UIDAI.
An earlier version of this article said e-Aadhaar contains biometric information such as fingerprints. That is not correct. Your fingerprints and iris scans are stored in UIDAI’s central repository and are never printed on the letter, the PVC card or e-Aadhaar.
Is e-Aadhaar valid?
Yes. UIDAI’s FAQ states that under the Aadhaar Act, e-Aadhaar is equally valid like the physical copy of Aadhaar for all purposes. UIDAI lists four forms of Aadhaar (the posted letter, the PVC card, e-Aadhaar and the Aadhaar app) and says all of them are equally valid and acceptable. A printout of e-Aadhaar on ordinary paper is also valid; see our guide on printing Aadhaar and ordering the PVC card for the options.
Because e-Aadhaar is digitally signed, its authenticity can be checked. UIDAI says you need Adobe Reader to view the digital signature as verified, and UIDAI’s YouTube channel has a tutorial on validating it. UIDAI’s regulations say organisations that accept Aadhaar offline as proof of identity must first verify UIDAI’s digital signature, for example by scanning the signed QR code, rather than simply trusting a copy.
The e-Aadhaar password
The PDF opens with a password made of the first four letters of your name, as it appears in Aadhaar, in CAPITAL letters, followed by your year of birth in four digits. For “Suresh Kumar” born in 1990, the password is SURE1990. An earlier version of this article said the default password was your area PIN code; that is not the format UIDAI uses now. Short names, initials and other edge cases are covered in our e-Aadhaar password guide.
What is masked Aadhaar?
Masked Aadhaar is an e-Aadhaar in which the first 8 digits of the Aadhaar number are replaced with “xxxx-xxxx”, so only the last 4 digits can be seen. You choose it by ticking the masked option when you download.
Masked Aadhaar is useful when an organisation wants to see proof of identity but has no need for your full number, such as a hotel check-in. UIDAI’s regulations also require organisations that keep physical copies of Aadhaar to black out the first 8 digits before storing them. Where a service genuinely needs your full number, such as income tax filing, use the regular e-Aadhaar.
What is a Virtual ID (VID)?
A Virtual ID is a temporary, revocable 16-digit number linked to your Aadhaar number. According to UIDAI:
- You can use the VID instead of your Aadhaar number for authentication and e-KYC, including OTP-based, biometric and demographic checks.
- Your Aadhaar number cannot be worked out from the VID.
- Only you can generate a VID; no bank or company can generate one on your behalf, and agencies are not allowed to store it.
- Only one VID is active at a time. You can replace it with a new one after a minimum of one calendar day, and the old one stops working. There is no expiry date otherwise.
- You can generate or retrieve a VID on myAadhaar or in the Aadhaar app, or by SMS from your registered mobile to 1947: send “GVID” followed by the last 4 digits of your Aadhaar number to generate one, or “RVID” followed by the same digits to retrieve the current one.
A VID can also be used to download e-Aadhaar and to order the PVC card, which is handy if you prefer not to type your Aadhaar number on a shared computer.
The QR code on e-Aadhaar
Every form of Aadhaar, including e-Aadhaar, carries a QR code digitally signed by UIDAI. UIDAI says the code contains the last 4 digits of the Aadhaar number, name, address, gender, date of birth and photograph, plus the masked mobile number and email address.
The QR code can be read only with UIDAI’s tools: the Aadhaar app, the Aadhaar QR Scanner app, or a Windows application on uidai.gov.in. These work offline. If the details shown after scanning match the card and the photo matches the person, the card is genuine. Our guide to verifying whether an Aadhaar card is genuine covers the checks in more detail.
Why keep an e-Aadhaar?
The original reasons in this article still hold:
- It cannot be lost or torn. You can download a fresh copy whenever you need one, as long as you can receive an OTP on your registered mobile.
- It works as proof of identity and, where accepted, proof of address. UIDAI notes that Aadhaar is proof of identity but does not confer citizenship or domicile.
- It shows your latest details. After an approved update, a new download reflects the change straight away, without waiting for a letter.
Correcting mistakes you notice on e-Aadhaar
e-Aadhaar only reflects UIDAI’s records, so a mistake has to be corrected in Aadhaar itself. Only address and document updates can be done fully online on myAadhaar or in the Aadhaar app. Name, date of birth, gender, email and biometrics such as your photograph need a visit to an Aadhaar centre. The ssup.uidai.gov.in update page that this article used to link to no longer works. Our guide to updating your address in Aadhaar explains the online route. After the update is approved, download a new e-Aadhaar.
Frequently asked questions
Is a masked e-Aadhaar valid as identity proof?
A masked e-Aadhaar is a form of e-Aadhaar and carries the same signed QR code, so it can be verified. Some services, such as income tax filing and PAN linking, need your full Aadhaar number. Ask the organisation which version it needs.
Does e-Aadhaar expire?
No. An e-Aadhaar does not have an expiry date, but it shows your details as of the day you downloaded it. If you update your address or photo, download a new copy. UIDAI recommends updating your proof of identity and address documents at least once every 10 years.
Can I show e-Aadhaar on my phone instead of a printout?
Yes, e-Aadhaar is an electronic document, and the Aadhaar app is itself one of the four valid forms of Aadhaar. Whether a particular office accepts a screen instead of paper is up to that office, so carry a printout if you are unsure.
Is the VID the same as the Enrolment ID?
No. The Enrolment ID (28 digits) is printed on the slip you receive when you enrol or update. The VID (16 digits) is a number you generate yourself to use in place of your Aadhaar number.
This guide was checked in October 2026 against UIDAI’s online services FAQ (e-Aadhaar, masked Aadhaar, VID and QR code sections), the Aadhaar app FAQ and UIDAI’s general Aadhaar FAQ. Check the myAadhaar portal for the latest process before you apply for any update.
