Applying for a Duplicate Aadhaar Card Online

The Aadhaar card is issued by the government of India. Its 12-digit unique identification number acts as an identifier for each Indian citizen. The Aadhaar card helps citizens access many essential facilities seamlessly as it is linked to various government and private services.

There are times, however, when the need to apply for a duplicate Aadhaar might arise. The good thing is that you can easily apply online for this provision from any location, as long as you have a stable internet connection.

• You can apply for a duplicate Aadhaar both online and offline.
• A duplicate Aadhaar card can come as a soft copy (an e-Aadhaar) or a hard copy (a PVC Aadhaar).
• With an Aadhaar card, you gain access to numerous facilities provided to you by the government.

How to apply for e-Aadhaar

1. Start by first visiting the official UIDAI website.
2. From here, you need to scroll to the bottom of the page and select ‘Download Aadhaar’.
3. Continue by entering the Aadhaar number, enrollment ID or virtual ID. Before proceeding, remember to also enter the Captcha code displayed,
4. Ask for the OTP to be sent to your registered number.
5. Enter the OTP in the space provided.
6. This will let you download a masked version of the Aadhaar card.
7. Once it has been downloaded, you need a password to open the file. The instructions for the password will be displayed once you open the document.
8. The password for your e-Aadhaar is a combination of the first four letters of your first name and your birth year as displayed on the Aadhaar card.

Here’s an example:

• Name - Siddharth Sharma
• Birth Year - 2001
• Password thus formed - SIDD2001

For PVC Aadhaar

1. Start by first visiting the UIDAI website.
2. Scroll to the bottom of the page and select ‘Order Aadhaar PVC card’.
3. Continue by entering your Aadhaar number and the Captcha code displayed,
4. In case your mobile number is not registered, select and enter the number you wish to receive the OTP on.
5. On your registered mobile number, you will receive an OTP. Enter this in the space provided.
6. Accept the ‘Terms and Conditions’ after reading them and click ‘Submit’.
7. From here, select the ‘Make Payment’ option and choose how you want to pay the fee of Rs. 50.
8. After you complete the payment, your duplicate Aadhaar will be sent to the post office within 5 days. From here, it will reach your address through a speed post.

Apart from applying for a duplicate Aadhaar online, you can also do so offline from an Aadhaar enrollment centre.

1. Find and visit the nearest Aadhaar enrollment centre.
2. There, you need to fill out the Aadhaar Correction form. Ensure all the details recorded are accurate.
3. This form then needs to be submitted to the Aadhaar executive.
4. A request is raised for a duplicate copy of your Aadhaar card.
5. Knowing your Aadhaar number is important for the next step.
6. Alternatively, your biometrics can be used to verify your identity.
7. Post identity verification, your request will be processed.
8. This will help the Aadhaar card reach your residential address within a couple of days.

1. Helps with SIM card purchases, as according to the guidelines listed by the Telecom Department, your SIM needs to be linked to your Aadhaar.
2. Since the Aadhaar card works as proof of identity and address, it is mandatory when opening a bank account.
3. For senior citizens, Aadhaar needs to be linked to help the pension distribution process run smoothly.
4. To file Income Tax returns in India, it is mandatory to link your Aadhaar with the PAN card. This is another reason why a duplicate Aadhaar is important.

There is no doubt that the Aadhaar card or a duplicate one, in this case, plays a massive role in various spheres of an Indian citizen's life. This includes providing them with an identity on paper and avail of important services and facilities.

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