Many users struggle to download their Aadhaar because the process usually requires an OTP sent to their registered mobile number. OTP helps keep your personal details secure, but problems like lost phones, no network, OTP not received, or an unregistered mobile number often stop people from completing the download. To fix this, UIDAI has added several alternative methods that allow you to download or access your Aadhaar even without OTP. These updated options (2025) are especially useful for people who urgently need their Aadhaar but cannot receive an OTP.
Yes. UIDAI now permits Aadhaar access through certain methods where OTP is not required, depending on the service you use. OTP was introduced to secure identity and prevent unauthorized downloads. With new authentication technologies in 2025, UIDAI offers alternative ways to download or access Aadhaar for users who cannot receive OTP.
Regulations
Published Date: 2025-08-28 13:22
Aadhaar (Enrolment and Update) First Amendment Regulations, 2025 (PDF)
UIDAI continues to prefer OTP-based verification for online Aadhaar downloads to ensure safety. But if you don’t have access to your registered mobile number, UIDAI now offers offline and non-OTP online options such as:
These options let you get your Aadhaar without needing OTP on your phone.
You must use OTP in the following situations:
In these cases UIDAI requires OTP to confirm that you are the rightful owner.
You can download or access Aadhaar without OTP in the following cases:
UIDAI allows Aadhaar download using FaceRD (face recognition), where mobile OTP is not required.
If your DigiLocker is already linked with Aadhaar, you can download your Aadhaar anytime from the app without entering an OTP.
You can visit any Aadhaar centre to get:
These services do not require OTP if you verify your identity using biometrics.
If you have your enrolment slip, Aadhaar Seva Kendra operators can reprint Aadhaar without OTP.
UIDAI’s Face Authentication lets users verify identity via facial recognition instead of OTP. It uses the Aadhaar-linked photo in UIDAI’s database and matches your live face using the FaceRD app.
Pros:
Cons:
The Enrolment ID (EID) is a 28-digit code on your enrolment/update slip: a 14-digit enrolment number plus a 14-digit timestamp. It helps retrieve Aadhaar when OTP is unavailable.
The EID appears at the top of your enrolment/update slip, for example: 1234/56789/12345 DD/MM/YYYY HH:MM:SS.
DigiLocker holds a digitally signed copy of your Aadhaar once linked. After linking, you can access the document without OTP verification.
If you lack phone/SIM/internet access, visiting an Aadhaar Seva Kendra is the most direct OTP-free option.
Mobile number updates require biometric verification and therefore cannot be completed online. Visit an Aadhaar Seva Kendra or authorized update centre to request the change.
No. You cannot download Aadhaar using the new mobile number until UIDAI approves the update. OTPs continue to go to the old registered number until the change is processed.
Meanwhile, you can still access Aadhaar via non-OTP methods such as Face Authentication, DigiLocker (if already linked), or by visiting an Aadhaar Seva Kendra.
Track status using the URN (Update Request Number) or SRN (Service Request Number). After verification, OTPs will start arriving on the new number.
If you need a physical copy but can’t receive OTP, UIDAI’s Order Aadhaar PVC Card service is a secure alternative. This allows reprinted PVC cards to be ordered even if the registered mobile number is not active.
The PVC Aadhaar card is durable, wallet-friendly, and printed with security features (QR code, hologram, microtext). It is delivered to your home by speed post. You can order it even if your mobile number is not registered, using alternate authentication or biometric verification at centres.
Charges: ₹50 (inclusive of GST & Speed Post delivery).
Delivery Timeline:
Track your order using the SRN (Service Request Number) and India Post tracking number.
If OTPs are not arriving, the cause may be network/SIM issues or UIDAI/provider server problems. The fixes below help resolve common problems or point you to OTP-free alternatives.
Poor coverage is a frequent cause.
Fixes:
DND can block transactional SMS like OTPs.
Fixes:
START 0 to your operator’s numberSIMs can become inactive if unused for long periods.
Fixes:
Sometimes the problem is external.
Fixes:
Use non-OTP methods:
You can also update your mobile number at an Aadhaar Seva Kendra for future OTP delivery.
Never download Aadhaar from unknown websites or mobile apps not approved by UIDAI. Such sources may steal personal data or contain malware.
Perform Aadhaar actions only through official channels:
Locking biometrics prevents misuse of fingerprint or iris data. Steps:
Never share your Aadhaar number, QR code, eAadhaar PDF, screenshots, or images of your card. Sharing such details risks fraud, identity theft, and unauthorized KYC activities.
Ans: Yes. UIDAI allows downloads via Face Authentication, DigiLocker, and Aadhaar Seva Kendras without requiring OTP on the registered mobile number.
Ans: Use Face Authentication, visit an Aadhaar Seva Kendra, or order Aadhaar PVC using a non-registered mobile number.
Ans: Yes. UIDAI’s FaceRD app enables Aadhaar download through facial verification—no OTP required.
Ans: No. UIDAI does not allow Aadhaar downloads using PAN, voter ID, or similar documents.
Ans: You can download Aadhaar via DigiLocker, visit an Aadhaar Seva Kendra for a printout, use Face Authentication, or order a PVC Aadhaar using any mobile number.
Ans: Yes. DigiLocker Aadhaar is a government-issued digital document and is accepted wherever Aadhaar is required.
Ans: No. Mobile number updates require biometric verification and must be done at an Aadhaar Seva Kendra.
Ans: Use non-OTP methods like Face Authentication or DigiLocker, or update your mobile number at a UIDAI centre.
I’m a contributor at Finanjo, where I write about personal finance, banking, and everyday money topics in a clear and practical way. I simplify complex finance jargon into easy explanations and real-life insights, covering everything from bank accounts and deposits to government schemes and smart money decisions so readers can understand finance without the confusion.
Many users struggle to download their Aadhaar because the process usually requires an OTP sent to their registered mobile number. OTP helps keep your personal details secure, but problems like lost phones, no network, OTP not received, or an unregistered mobile number often stop people from completing the download. To fix this, UIDAI has added several alternative methods that allow you to download or access your Aadhaar even without OTP. These updated options (2025) are especially useful for people who urgently need their Aadhaar but cannot receive an OTP.
Yes. UIDAI now permits Aadhaar access through certain methods where OTP is not required, depending on the service you use. OTP was introduced to secure identity and prevent unauthorized downloads. With new authentication technologies in 2025, UIDAI offers alternative ways to download or access Aadhaar for users who cannot receive OTP.
Regulations
Published Date: 2025-08-28 13:22
Aadhaar (Enrolment and Update) First Amendment Regulations, 2025 (PDF)
UIDAI continues to prefer OTP-based verification for online Aadhaar downloads to ensure safety. But if you don’t have access to your registered mobile number, UIDAI now offers offline and non-OTP online options such as:
These options let you get your Aadhaar without needing OTP on your phone.
You must use OTP in the following situations:
In these cases UIDAI requires OTP to confirm that you are the rightful owner.
You can download or access Aadhaar without OTP in the following cases:
UIDAI allows Aadhaar download using FaceRD (face recognition), where mobile OTP is not required.
If your DigiLocker is already linked with Aadhaar, you can download your Aadhaar anytime from the app without entering an OTP.
You can visit any Aadhaar centre to get:
These services do not require OTP if you verify your identity using biometrics.
If you have your enrolment slip, Aadhaar Seva Kendra operators can reprint Aadhaar without OTP.
UIDAI’s Face Authentication lets users verify identity via facial recognition instead of OTP. It uses the Aadhaar-linked photo in UIDAI’s database and matches your live face using the FaceRD app.
Pros:
Cons:
The Enrolment ID (EID) is a 28-digit code on your enrolment/update slip: a 14-digit enrolment number plus a 14-digit timestamp. It helps retrieve Aadhaar when OTP is unavailable.
The EID appears at the top of your enrolment/update slip, for example: 1234/56789/12345 DD/MM/YYYY HH:MM:SS.
DigiLocker holds a digitally signed copy of your Aadhaar once linked. After linking, you can access the document without OTP verification.
If you lack phone/SIM/internet access, visiting an Aadhaar Seva Kendra is the most direct OTP-free option.
Mobile number updates require biometric verification and therefore cannot be completed online. Visit an Aadhaar Seva Kendra or authorized update centre to request the change.
No. You cannot download Aadhaar using the new mobile number until UIDAI approves the update. OTPs continue to go to the old registered number until the change is processed.
Meanwhile, you can still access Aadhaar via non-OTP methods such as Face Authentication, DigiLocker (if already linked), or by visiting an Aadhaar Seva Kendra.
Track status using the URN (Update Request Number) or SRN (Service Request Number). After verification, OTPs will start arriving on the new number.
If you need a physical copy but can’t receive OTP, UIDAI’s Order Aadhaar PVC Card service is a secure alternative. This allows reprinted PVC cards to be ordered even if the registered mobile number is not active.
The PVC Aadhaar card is durable, wallet-friendly, and printed with security features (QR code, hologram, microtext). It is delivered to your home by speed post. You can order it even if your mobile number is not registered, using alternate authentication or biometric verification at centres.
Charges: ₹50 (inclusive of GST & Speed Post delivery).
Delivery Timeline:
Track your order using the SRN (Service Request Number) and India Post tracking number.
If OTPs are not arriving, the cause may be network/SIM issues or UIDAI/provider server problems. The fixes below help resolve common problems or point you to OTP-free alternatives.
Poor coverage is a frequent cause.
Fixes:
DND can block transactional SMS like OTPs.
Fixes:
START 0 to your operator’s numberSIMs can become inactive if unused for long periods.
Fixes:
Sometimes the problem is external.
Fixes:
Use non-OTP methods:
You can also update your mobile number at an Aadhaar Seva Kendra for future OTP delivery.
Never download Aadhaar from unknown websites or mobile apps not approved by UIDAI. Such sources may steal personal data or contain malware.
Perform Aadhaar actions only through official channels:
Locking biometrics prevents misuse of fingerprint or iris data. Steps:
Never share your Aadhaar number, QR code, eAadhaar PDF, screenshots, or images of your card. Sharing such details risks fraud, identity theft, and unauthorized KYC activities.
Ans: Yes. UIDAI allows downloads via Face Authentication, DigiLocker, and Aadhaar Seva Kendras without requiring OTP on the registered mobile number.
Ans: Use Face Authentication, visit an Aadhaar Seva Kendra, or order Aadhaar PVC using a non-registered mobile number.
Ans: Yes. UIDAI’s FaceRD app enables Aadhaar download through facial verification—no OTP required.
Ans: No. UIDAI does not allow Aadhaar downloads using PAN, voter ID, or similar documents.
Ans: You can download Aadhaar via DigiLocker, visit an Aadhaar Seva Kendra for a printout, use Face Authentication, or order a PVC Aadhaar using any mobile number.
Ans: Yes. DigiLocker Aadhaar is a government-issued digital document and is accepted wherever Aadhaar is required.
Ans: No. Mobile number updates require biometric verification and must be done at an Aadhaar Seva Kendra.
Ans: Use non-OTP methods like Face Authentication or DigiLocker, or update your mobile number at a UIDAI centre.
I’m a contributor at Finanjo, where I write about personal finance, banking, and everyday money topics in a clear and practical way. I simplify complex finance jargon into easy explanations and real-life insights, covering everything from bank accounts and deposits to government schemes and smart money decisions so readers can understand finance without the confusion.