In today’s times, the Aadhaar Card has become an essential part of our identity. Whether it’s opening a bank account, receiving a pension, getting a mobile number, or availing any government scheme, an Aadhaar Card is essential everywhere. But what if you lose your Aadhaar Card and don’t even remember it? Don’t panic, because UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India) has found the easiest solution to this problem. We’ll tell you how you can retrieve your lost Aadhaar number and e-Aadhaar Card without running around by following a few simple steps.
Online Method
If your mobile number is already linked to Aadhaar, you can easily find your Aadhaar number (UID) or Enrollment Number (EID) online.
First, visit the official UIDAI website.
Click on the “Retrieve Lost UID or EID” option on the homepage.
Now you need to choose whether you want to find your UID (Aadhaar number) or EID (enrolment number).
Enter your full name, registered mobile number, and the captcha code shown on the screen.
Click Send OTP.
A one-time password (OTP) will be sent to your mobile. Once you enter the OTP, your Aadhaar number or EID will appear on the screen.
You can download your e-Aadhaar card using your Aadhaar number by going to the My Aadhaar section on the same site.
The mAadhaar app also offers instant recovery options
If you use a smartphone, the UIDAI’s mAadhaar app is also very useful. You can also retrieve your Aadhaar number using it.
Download the mAadhaar app from the Play Store or App Store.
Log in to the app and click Retrieve UID or EID.
Enter your name, mobile number, and captcha code, and request an OTP.
After entering the OTP, your Aadhaar number or enrollment number will appear on the screen. You can also download e-Aadhaar from the app.
What to do if your mobile number isn’t linked
If your mobile number isn’t linked to Aadhaar, or you aren’t receiving an OTP, the online method won’t work. In this situation, you’ll need to use the offline method. Visit your nearest Aadhaar Enrollment Center or Aadhaar Service Center. You’ll need to provide your name, date of birth, and address. Biometric verification (e.g., fingerprint verification) will then be performed.
If all the information is found to be correct, you’ll be immediately issued a copy of your Aadhaar number and e-Aadhaar. You can also obtain a printout of your Aadhaar card on the spot for a fee of ₹50. Make sure that your mobile number is linked to your Aadhaar, so that you can avail the online facility in case of any emergency.