JAM or Jan Dhan Yojana, Aadhaar and Mobile number is supposed to be a game changing reform that will allow transfer of benefits in a leakage-proof, well-targeted and cashless manner.   Aadhaar is becoming an important document to have. Our article JAM Trinity: Jan Dhan Yojana, Aadhaar and Mobile number talks about  JAM in detail. This article talks about how important it is becoming to get Aadhaar, how to enrol for Aadhaar, How to Check Aadhaar Status,How to Download e-Aadhar

What is Aadhaar?

Aadhaar , which means foundation, is a unique 12-digit Identification number issued to individuals for the purpose of establishing unique identification of every single person.  It is issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) on behalf of the Government of India

• Easily verifiable in an online, cost-effective way
• Unique and robust enough to eliminate the large number of duplicate and fake identities in government and private databases
• A random number generated, devoid of any classification based on caste, creed, religion and geography
•  Aadhaar is required as the single point for all your credentials and entitlements. This number will serve as a proof of identity and address, anywhere in India.   For example, if you want to get a new PAN card or change your telephone connection, enter your unique ID for authentication and also as proof of identity and address. For Know Your Customer credentials too, Aadhaar authentication is enough.  To know which organizations accept Aadhaar is available at Aadhaar’s website What is Aadhar.

Aadhaar,India’s national ID program, is the largest biometric database of the world. Biometric verification is any means by which a person can be uniquely identified by evaluating one or more distinguishing biological traits. Unique identifiers include fingerprints, hand geometry, earlobe geometry, retina and iris patterns, voice waves, DNA, and signatures. The oldest form of biometric verification is fingerprinting.You need to enrol only once. It is a biometrics-based digital identity assigned for lifetime, verifiable online instantly in public domain, at anytime, from anywhere, in a paperless way. It is designed to enable government agencies to deliver retail public service securely based on biometric data (fingerprint, iris scan and face photo), along with demographic data(name, age, gender, address, parent/spouse name, mobile phone number) of a person. The data is transmitted in encrypted form over internet for authentication, aiming to free it from limitations of physical presence of a person at a given place.

Aadhaar letter received via India Post and e-Aadhaar downloaded from UIDAI website are equally valid.

Aadhaar is linked to schemes provided by the state or Centre which are either cash transfers, subsidies or services. The government can also access databases like ICDS, Sarva Sikhsha Abhiyan, patient records at local, regional or  national levels and individuals through their life. For importance of Aadhaar you can read Aadhaar’s document

•  It’s also the first step towards providing online, inter-operable, low-cost payment platform and Aadhaar is needed to use it. MicroATMs will be deployed by banks either directly, or through service providers and operated by individuals.
• It follows RBI guidelines for interoperability, mobile banking and also leverages Kisan Credit Card scheme.
• You can link your bank account to it.
• Some of  National schemes linked to it are :Indira Awaas Yojna; Integrated Child Development Services; Janani Surakshan Yojna; MNREGA; NREGS; National Social Assistance Programme; Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna; Swarnajayanati Gram Swarozgar Yojna; SSA; Targeted Public Distribution System.

Some statistics or key facts on Aadhaar are given below :

#	Aadhaar is	Aadhaar isn’t
1.	A 12-digit unique identity for every Indian individual, including children and infants	Just another card
2.	Enables identification for every resident Indian	Only one Aadhaar card per family is enough
3.	Establishes uniqueness of every individual on the basis of demographic and biometric information	Collects profiling information such as caste, religion, and language
4.	It is a voluntary service that every resident can avail irrespective of present documentation	Mandatory for every Indian resident who has identification documents
5.	Each individual will be given a single unique Aadhaar ID number	An individual can obtain multiple Aadhaar ID numbers
6.	Aadhaar will provide a universal identity infrastructure which can be used by any identity-based application (like ration card, passport, etc.)	Aadhaar will replace all other IDs
7.	UIDAI will give Yes/No answers to any identity authentication queries	UIDAI information will be accessible to public and private agencies

How to get Aadhaar or enrol for Aadhaar?

To get Aadhaar one has to enrol for Aadhar which  is free. The process is as follows

• You can go to any authorized Aadhaar enrolment centre anywhere in India with your identity proof, address proof and Date of Birth. You can book appointment online also .You can search Aadhaar Enrollment Center on uidai.gov.in webpage Locate Aadhaar Enrollment center.
• At the enrolment centre, you have to fill your personal details in the form.
• Your photo, finger-prints and iris scan will also be taken as a part of the enrolment,this is called Biometrics.
• You can review the details you have provided and make corrections during enrolment itself.
• You will get an acknowledgement slip with an temporary enrolment number and other details captured during enrolment
• Based on your information provided, your details will be verified centrally. If your application is successful, an Aadhaar number will be generated and mailed to your address.
• The waiting time for Aadhaar may vary from 60-90 days but may take longer.

Please note Enrolling again is a waste of your time as you will get only one Aadhaar number.

Some Dos

• Take photocopy of address proof and Identity proof. For list of documents which are accepted as Proof of Address (POA) and Proof of Identity (POI) click here
• Carry your original proofs.
• Carry details of bank like Bank Name, Branch Name, IFSC code, Account no. (in case you want to link it during enrollment of bank details with aadhar itself)
• Proof of birth document is present with you (only if you wish to say Birth is Verified and not declared). If you fill Declared then no need of any proof. Note PAN card is not accepted as proof of birth.
• Have a working mobile number to give during enrolment form.

Once the enrolment is over you would get the acknowledgement slip. Please save the enrolment no, Date with time, your full name and mobile number in a searchable place. As most of us have smart mobile phones with camera, I would recommend to have a scanned copy of it in phone or mail.

How to Book Appointment On-line for Aadhaar Enrolment

In some states on trial basis one can book Appointment online for Aadhaar. States for which Aadhaar appointment can be booked online is shown in image below.

To book online appointment,Go to https://appointments.uidai.gov.in/ and fill the form as shown in image below. (Click on image to enlarge)

• Fill the form with details like your e-mail, mobile number, state or union territory, area type (whether rural or urban), city, locality, enrolment centre which is nearer to you, date and time of enrolment you wish according to your availability.
• A maximum of four people can confirm their appointment at a time, however, you can book again for getting another appointment schedule.
• After filling up all the details in the form, you need to click on the Fix Appointment button to confirm your appointment.

How to Check Aadhaar Status online

You can track your Aadhaar status online.  To check status, go to https://resident.uidai.net.in/check-aadhaar-status and fill in details as shown in form below

• Fill the details of Enrollment ID and Date and Time.  Please note Both fields of the form are mandatory and you must ensure that you insert the fields in correct format which is shown just below the input field box.
• You then enter the image-text (Ex 4767 in image below) in Enter the Security Code. If you cannot read it you can get another code by clicking on Try another.
• After filling all the entries click on the Check Status button.

If you receive an error then try again with correct details.

How to check Aadhaar status through SMS

You will need to send a text message (SMS), UID STATUS <14 Digit EID> to 51969,

• You need to send SMS from your registered mobile number , the same which was entered at the time of your enrolment to 51969
• You need your enrolment number for this purpose. Please remove slashes ‘/’ from your enrollment number like the one shown in the example above.
• You will then receive the latest status of your Aadhaar as a reply to your SMS on your mobile number. You will only receive your current Aadhaar status and no any other details
• This service is provided absolutely free to you, however, your mobile operator may charge you standard SMS prices. Y

For example, if enrolment number is 1001/16171/01162, then send SMS without quotes  UID STATUS 10011617101162 to 51969

Find UID Aadhaar number or Enrollment number if Lost

If you have lost your AADHAR card Enrollment ID and don’t know your AADHAR number, you can get the AADHAR card by following these steps below:

• Go to https://resident.uidai.net.in/find-uid-eid
• Select appropriate option, Aadhaar No (UID) OR Enrolment No (EID), under You want to receive your lost:
• Enter your full name
• Enter your email address
• Enter your registered Mobile Number
• Enter the security code as displayed and click on Get OTP button
• One Time Password (OTP) will be delivered to your mobile and/or email address
• In the box below, enter the OTP you just received on your mobile and/or email address
• Click on Verify OTP
• Now you will receive a message on your mobile with your AADHAR card number or Enrollment Id as you selected in Step above

How to Get Aadhaar on Mobile

Provide your Enrolment ID (found on the Enrolment slip given to you at the time of enrolment) to receive your Aadhaar on your registered mobile number. Your registered mobile number is the same as the one you gave at the time of enrolment.

You can track your Aadhaar status online.  To check status, go to https://resident.uidai.net.in/get-aadhaar-no and fill in details as shown in form below

• Fill the details of Enrollment ID and Date and Time.  Please note Both fields of the form are mandatory and you must ensure that you insert the fields in correct format which is shown just below the input field box.
• You then enter the image-text (Ex 4767 in image below) in Enter the Security Code. If you cannot read it you can get another code by clicking on Try another.
• After filling all the entries click on the Check Status button.

 

Fill in n the respective fields

• Enrolment ID (enrolment number and date-time of enrolment) or  Aadhaar number of the person whose e Aadhaar card you want to download
• Full name,
• Pin Code,
• The captcha code (image text) and
• Mobile number
• Click on the Get One Time Password button. You will receive a One Time Password (OTP) on the mobile number you just entered. This is essential for verification process.
• Type the OTP you received on your mobile and click on Validate & Download button.
• After that you will be provided with a link to download your E-Aadhaar Card.
• E-Aadhaar card is protected by password. Password is the Pincode of his residential address and the same can also be found on the acknowledgement slip

Related Articles:

• JAM Trinity: Jan Dhan Yojana, Aadhaar and Mobile number
• Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana,Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Atal Pension Yojna
• Digital India
• Know Your Customer or KYC
• Personal Finance and Scott Adams,Dilbert

Have you got your Aadhaar? Do you think Aadhaar is gaining importance? Is money spent on Aadhaar worth it? Will Aadhaar serve it’s purpose? Is Aadhaar just another card?