FAQs

Post installation of UIDAI’s QR code reader application, QR code of e-Aadhaar need to be scanned using the physical scanner in line with UIDAI Specifications. The application will display the demographic details of Aadhaar number holder once the QR Code is digitally verified using Windows QR code scanner.

Aadhaar QR code is Quick Response code digitally signed by UIDAI and used for offline verification of identity. It is present on all forms of Aadhaar like e-Aadhaar, Aadhaar letter, Aadhaar PVC card and mAadhaar. It contains last 4 digits of Aadhaar number, name, address, gender, date of birth and photograph of the Aadhaar number holder. It also contains masked mobile number and email-id of the Aadhaar number holder. 

Aadhaar QR code can ONLY be read using:
1. mAadhaar app available on Google Play Store and app store
2. Aadhaar QR Scanner app available on Google Play Store and app store
3. Windows based application available on UIDAI official website - https://uidai.gov.in/en/ecosystem/authentication-devices-documents/qr-code-reader.html

Public certificate for Digital signature validation can be downloaded from here.

Aadhaar number holders can share the XML ZIP file along with the Share Code to the service provider as per their mutual convenience.

Identity verification can simply be accomplished by providing an identity document like PAN card, Passport etc to the service provider. However, all these documents, which may be used for identification can still be forged and faked which may or may not be possible to verify offline instantaneously. The document verifier has no technological means to verify the authenticity of the document or the information it contains and has to trust the document producer. Whereas, the XML file generated by the Aadhaar number holder using Aadhaar Paperless Offline e-KYC is digitally signed document using UIDAI digital signature. Thus, the service provider can verify the demographic contents of the file and certify it to be authentic when doing the offline verification

Service Providers shall not share, publish or display either XML or Share Code or its contents with anyone else. Any non-compliance of these actions shall invite actions under Sections 29(2), 29 (3), 29(4) and 37 of The Aadhaar Act, 2016 (as amended) and sub regulation 1A of regulation 25, regulation 14A of The Aadhaar (Authentication and Offline Verification) Regulation, 2021 and regulation 6 and 7 of The Aadhaar (Sharing of Information) Regulation, 2016.

Any Aadhaar number holder who desires to establish his/her identity to any service provider (OVSE) using digitally signed XML downloaded from UIDAI website can be a user of this service. The service provider should have provisions of providing this Aadhaar Paperless Offline e-KYC at their facility and do the offline verification

The process of generating Aadhaar Offline e-KYC is explained below:

• Go to URL https://myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in/offline-ekyc
• Enter ‘Aadhaar Number’ or ‘VID’ and enter mentioned ‘Security Code’ in screen, then click on ‘Send OTP’. The OTP will be sent to the registered Mobile Number for the given Aadhaar number or VID. OTP will be available on m-Aadhaar mobile Application of UIDAI. Enter the OTP received. Enter a Share Code which be the password for the ZIP file and click on ‘Download’ button
• The Zip file containing the digitally signed XML will be downloaded to device wherein the above mentioned steps have been performed.

The Offline Aadhaar XML can also be downloaded from mAadhaar app.

It is a secure sharable document which can be used by any Aadhaar number holder for offline verification of Identification.

An Aadhaar number holder desirous of using this facility shall generate his/her digitally signed Offline XML by accessing UIDAI website. The Offline XML will contain Name, Address, Photo, Gender, DOB, hash of registered Mobile Number, hash of registered Email Address and reference id which contains last 4 digits of Aadhaar Number followed by time stamp. It will provide Offline Aadhaar Verification facility to service providers/Offline Verification Seeking Entity (OVSE) without the need to collect or store Aadhaar number.

The process of Aadhaar Offline e-KYC Verification by Service Provider is:

Aadhaar number holders who have registered mobile number may lock their biometrics. This facility aims to strengthen privacy and confidentiality of Aadhaar number holder's Biometrics Data

After locking biometrics if a UID is used for invoking any of the Authentication services using a biometric modality (Fingerprint/Iris/Face) a specific error code '330' indicating biometrics are locked will be displayed and the entity will not be able to perform the biometric authentication.

Once Aadhaar number holder enables Biometric Locking system their biometric remains locked till the Aadhaar Holder chose any below mentioned option:

Unlock it (which is temporary )or
Disable the Locking system

The biometric unlock can be done by Aadhaar number holder either by visiting UIDAI website, enrolment centre, Aadhaar Seva Kendra(ASK), through m-Aadhaar.

Note: Registered Mobile Number is essential to avail this service. In case your mobile number is not registered with Aadhaar visit the nearest Enrolment Centre/Mobile Update End Point.

Locked Biometrics confirms that Aadhaar holder will not be able to use Biometrics (fingerprints/iris/Face) for authentication, it is a safety feature to stop any kind of biometric authentication.
It also ensures that any entity by any means cannot perform biometric based Aadhaar authentication for that Aadhaar holder.

Fingerprint, iris and Face as a biometric moadlity will be locked and after biometric locking, Aadhaar holder will not be able to perform the Aadhaar authentication using the above mentioned biometric modalities.

Biometric Locking/Unlocking is a service that allows an Aadhaar holder to lock and temporarily unlock their biometrics. This facility aims to strengthen privacy and confidentiality of Aadhaar number holder's Biometrics Data.

After Locking UID if Aadhaar number holder forgot VID, Aadhaar number holder can make use of SMS service to Retrieve 16 digit VID. Aadhaar number holder will receive VID on his/her register mobile number.

Send SMS to 1947 from Aadhaar Register mobile number,
RVID Space last 4 or 8 digit of UID.

Ex:- RVID 1234

For Unlocking UID Aadhaar number holder should have latest 16 digit VID and if Aadhaar number holder forgot 16 digit VID he can retrieve latest VID through SMS services

RVID Space last 4 or 8 digit of UID. SMS to 1947. Ex- RVID 1234

To unlock UID, Aadhaar number holder may visit UIDAI website (https://resident.uidai.gov.in/aadhaar-lockunlock), select Unlock radio button, Enter Latest VID and security Code and click on send OTP or select TOTP and click on Submit. Your UID will be unlocked successfully.
Aadhaar number holder may also use Aadhaar lock or unlock service through mAadhaar app.

For Locking UID, Aadhaar number holder should have 16 digit VID number and it's a pre-requisite for locking. If Aadhaar number holder don't have VID can generate via SMS Service or UIDAI website (www.myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in).

SMS Service. GVID space last 4 or 8 digit of UID. SMS to 1947. Ex- GVID 1234.

Aadhaar number holder may visit UIDAI website (https://resident.uidai.gov.in/aadhaar-lockunlock), Under My Aadhaar tab, Click on Aadhaar Lock & Unlock services. Select UID Lock Radio Button and enter UID Number, Full Name, and Pin Code as in latest details and enter Security code. Click on Send OTP or select TOTP and click on submit. Your UID will be locked successfully.

For an Aadhaar number holder, security and privacy of personal data is always a primary concern. To strengthen the security of his/her Aadhaar number and to provide control to the Aadhaar number holder, UIDAI provide a mechanism of locking and unlocking Aadhaar number (UID).

Aadhaar number holder can lock his or her Aadhaar (UID) via UIDAI website (www.myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in) or through mAadhaar app.

By doing this Aadhaar number holder cannot perform any sort of Authentication using UID, UID Token & VID for Biometrics, Demographic & OTP modality

If Aadhaar number holder wants to unlock UID he/she can do so by using latest VID, through UIDAI website or mAadhaar app.
After unlocking Aadhaar (UID), Aadhaar number holder can perform authentication using UID, UID Token & VID.