DigiLocker: How to Link Aadhaar and Access Documents

DigiLocker stores two types of documents:

Issued documents are fetched directly from the source such as UIDAI the Income Tax Department your RTO or your exam board. These arrive digitally signed by the issuing agency and carry the same legal standing as a physical original.

Uploaded documents are scans you add yourself. These are convenient to store but do not hold the same legal standing as issuer-pushed documents.
This distinction matters when submitting documents to banks government offices or other institutions.

How Aadhaar Connects to DigiLocker

Aadhaar is what unlocks the full DigiLocker service. Linking your Aadhaar allows the platform to fetch documents tied to your identity from government issuers and gives you access to a digital Aadhaar that is equivalent to UIDAI’s eAadhaar.

DigiLocker accounts exist in two types. A verified account uses Aadhaar and provides access to issued documents and eSign. A non-verified account requires only an Indian mobile number and allows you to upload files but issued documents remain inaccessible until Aadhaar is linked.

Linking your Aadhaar is verified through an OTP sent to the mobile number registered with Aadhaar not the number used to sign up for DigiLocker. If no mobile number is registered with your Aadhaar the linking cannot be completed online. You would need to update your registered mobile at an Aadhaar enrolment centre first.

Your name and address displayed in DigiLocker are read directly from UIDAI records. These details cannot be edited within DigiLocker. Any corrections must be made through UIDAI.

How to Link Aadhaar with DigiLocker

1. Open digilocker.gov.in or the DigiLocker app
2. Click Sign Up and enter your full name date of birth and gender
3. Add your mobile number and set a six-digit security PIN
4. Verify the OTP sent to your mobile number
5. Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number on the next screen
6. Submit and enter the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-registered mobile
7. Confirm the link and set your username

Once linked your digital Aadhaar will appear under Issued Documents and is available to download or share immediately.

Documents You Can Store

Document	Issued By	Type
Aadhaar	UIDAI	Issued
PAN card	Income Tax Department	Issued
Driving licence	RTO / Ministry of Road Transport	Issued
Vehicle RC	RTO	Issued
Class 10 / 12 marksheets	CBSE and state boards	Issued
Passport verification record	Ministry of External Affairs	Issued
Rent agreement old certificates	Self-uploaded	Uploaded

For personal uploads each file must be under 10 MB and in PDF JPG or PNG format. DigiLocker Drive provides 1 GB of free storage for uploaded files. Issued documents do not count toward this limit as they are stored as secure links to the issuing agency’s database.

How to Share Documents with Banks and Offices

Issued documents can be shared without printing or scanning through three routes: a secure OTP-protected link a QR code or directly to a registered requester such as a bank employer or government office.

1. Open the document under Issued Documents
2. Tap Share and choose a secure link or QR code
3. Set the duration for which the link remains active
4. Send it and the recipient verifies access with an OTP

Many banks now pull your Aadhaar and PAN directly from DigiLocker during online KYC with your consent so documents transfer automatically without any manual steps required.

Security and Legal Standing

DigiLocker uses 256-bit SSL encryption ISO 27001 certified data centres a six-digit PIN and Aadhaar OTP verification. It operates under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023.

Issued documents are legally equal to physical originals under Rule 9A of the IT Rules notified in February 2017 under the Information Technology Act 2000. Government offices banks and courts accept them as valid.

Uploaded documents scanned by you are not automatically treated as legal originals. Only issuer-pushed documents in the Issued Documents section carry full legal standing.

Your six-digit PIN should be kept strictly private as it provides access to all documents in your locker.

Using DigiLocker for Loans and Investments

DigiLocker is particularly useful during KYC for loan applications credit cards and mutual funds. The platform can share your Aadhaar and PAN with a lender or investment platform directly upon your consent completing document verification in seconds without photocopies or physical submission.

eSign allows you to digitally sign loan agreements and KYC forms using Aadhaar OTP. This signature is legally valid and available at no cost.

One important clarification: DigiLocker speeds up document verification but does not affect loan approval. Your income credit history and eligibility are assessed independently by the lender.