Aadhaar Card: 12 Things UIDAI Portal we can Do Online

The UIDAI or Unique Identification Authority of India, the issuer of Aadhaar card as well as the 12-digit Unique Identity Number (UID) also known as Aadhaar number, offers three kinds of facilities online. These online tools - accessible through the UIDAI's self-service portal uidai.gov.in - are related to Aadhaar enrollment, Aadhaar update and other services related to Aadhaar. Registered mobile number - or the mobile number registered into the Aadhaar database at present - is essential to avail Aadhaar online services, according to the UIDAI website.

Here are the various online services and online tools provided by the UIDAI on its portal - uidai.gov.in:

1. The UIDAI portal lets users to find information on Aadhaar enrollment and updation centers through an online search. The user can locate various bank or post office Aadhaar centres - for enrollment or updation in Aadhaar - by entering details such as state, district and pin code. 

2. Another online service provided by the UIDAI enables Aadhaar applicants to check the status of their application. A user can access this online tool, and several other Aadhaar card-related online tools, by clicking on 'Check Aadhaar Status' on the UIDAI portal homepage, or through a link. The online facility requires the user to enter his or her Aadhaar enrollment ID as well as the timestamp as given on the Aadhaar acknowledgement slip in the format 'dd/mm/yyyy hh:mm:ss', according to the UIDAI website. The 14-digit Aadhaar enrollment number can be located at the top section of the acknowledgement slip. The Aadhaar enrollment ID is given in the format 1234/12345/12345, according to the UIDAI website.

3. Users can also retrieve their lost Aadhaar number (UID) or a lost Aadhaar enrollment ID through the UIDAI.gov.in portal. To be able to use this online service, the user is required to enter his or her registered mobile number, according to the UIDAI website. This is the number declared by an individual at the time of Aadhaar enrollment.

4. The UIDAI website also hosts a facility that allows individuals to download their Aadhaar card in digital form. The digital Aadhaar, or 'e-Aadhaar', can be downloaded either by entering the Aadhaar ID or the Aadhaar enrollment ID, according to the UIDAI website. 

5. Users can also get their Aadhaar number, or Unique Identity Number (UID), on their mobile number through the UIDAI portal. The user is required to enter the Aadhaar enrollment ID (EID) as well as the registered mobile number to use this UIDAI facility, which can be accessed by clicking on 'Get Aadhaar on Mobile Number' on the UIDAI portal.

6. The UIDAI portal also enables individuals to request an update or correction in the address given on their Aadhaar card. This facility is meant for Aadhaar holders, those who have already enrolled for Aadhaar. The UIDAI portal's online facility - which can be accessed by clicking on 'Address Update Request (Online)' on the UIDAI portal - lets users to request a change or updation in the address in four steps: Login with Aadhaar, Address Update Request, Upload Documents, and Select BPO Service Provider/submit request. Any resident with a registered mobile number can update the address - fed into the Aadhaar system - using this portal, according to the UIDIA website.

7. If you have request such an update in address online, another online facility by the UIDAI lets you check the status of your request. This tool can be accessed by clicking on the 'Check Status - Updation done Online' link on the UIDAI website. The user is required to enter his or her Aadhaar number along with the URN/SRN to check the status, according to the UIDAI portal.

8. The UIDAI portal also lets a user verify his or her Aadhaar number. A user can enter his or her Aadhaar number in the relevant box to verify whether the Aadhaar number is valid or active. At the end of Aadhaar verification process, the UIDAI facility confirms whether the Aadhaar number exists and displays details such as the age group of the Aadhaar applicant and the last three digits of the registered mobile number. A user can tally these details to confirm the Aadhaar number.

9. Another tool, called 'Verify Email/Mobile Number', lets users verify the latest email address and mobile number fed into the Aadhaar system. These are the details declared during Aadhaar enrollment or updated later, whichever is later.

10. The user can also lock or unlock his or her bio-metrics - fed into the Aadhaar system through iris and fingerprint scans - using an online tool given on the UIDAI website. The user is required to log in using his or her Aadhaar to access the bio-metric lock system, according to the UIDAI website. The system can be used to enable an Aadhaar holder to lock and temporarily unlock his or her bio-metrics. This is to protect privacy and confidentiality of the resident's bio-metrics data, the UIDAI adds on its portal. Once the bio-metrics are locked, the Aadhaar holder will not be able to use the bio-metrics (fingerprints/iris details) for authentications "thus preventing potential misuse".

11. The UIDAI portal can also be used to access Aadhaar authentication history. That means you can find information on how many times has Aadhaar authentication been taken up against your UID. The user can match the details accessed by this online tool with the details available with him or her to detect any misuse.

12. Besides, the UIDAI portal can also be used to access information on validity of downloaded Aadhaar (e-Aadhaar) as proof of identity, charges for various services provided at Aadhaar centers - also known as Aadhaar Kendra's - and a full list of supporting documents, among other details.