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How to Guide : Recovering Lost Aadhaar Card
Loss of the physical card has no bearing on the underlying Aadhaar record. The Aadhaar number, biometric data, and complete record remain securely stored within UIDAI’s database the card itself is merely one printed representation of that data. Re-enrolment is neither necessary nor appropriate, and would in fact be flagged as a duplicate application.
The appropriate course of action depends on what information the holder currently retains. Where the Aadhaar number is known, a replacement eAadhaar may be downloaded within minutes. Where the number has been forgotten, it must first be retrieved. Where a physical card is preferred, a reprint may be ordered. Each option is addressed below.
Table of Content
Procedure: Downloading a Replacement eAadhaar
Where the Aadhaar number or Enrolment ID (EID) is known, this represents the most efficient resolution, producing a copy carrying full legal validity. The registered mobile number should be accessible for OTP verification.
- Access myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in and select Download Aadhaar
- Enter the Aadhaar number, VID, or EID, along with the captcha
- Select Send OTP and enter the code received on the registered mobile number
- Download the PDF and open it using the applicable password the first four letters of the name in capitals, followed by the birth year
This service is provided free of charge, with no restriction on the number of downloads. Where the password is rejected, the cause is typically incorrect capitalization or use of the complete date of birth in place of the year alone.
Retrieving a Forgotten Aadhaar Number
Where both the Aadhaar number and EID have been forgotten, retrieval must precede download. This is conducted via myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in/retrieve-eid-uid, selecting either UID or EID and entering the full name as recorded on the Aadhaar document, along with the registered mobile number or email address and the captcha. Confirmation is provided via OTP, with UIDAI transmitting the number directly to the holder’s phone or email. This service is free of charge.
It should be noted that the retrieval page accepts either the registered mobile number or email address accordingly, loss of access to one does not preclude use of the service, provided the other remains accessible.
Where the Registered Mobile Number Is Also Unavailable
This represents a more complex circumstance, though resolution remains available. Where the registered email address remains accessible, it may be used in place of the mobile number on the retrieval page, following the same procedure outlined above.
Only where both the registered mobile number and email address are unavailable does the online process become inaccessible, necessitating an in-person resolution. The holder should visit an Aadhaar Seva Kendra with their name, gender, and district or PIN code; an operator will retrieve the record and may print a copy for a fee of ₹30. Alternatively, the UIDAI helpline at 1947 can provide the EID following identity verification.
Regardless of the resolution method used, updating the registered mobile number afterward is advisable to prevent recurrence of this difficulty.
Procedure: Ordering an Aadhaar Reprint
Where a physical card is required, the current equivalent is the PVC Aadhaar card, dispatched to the holder’s registered address.
- Access the myAadhaar portal and select Order Aadhaar PVC Card
- Enter the Aadhaar number, VID, or EID, along with the captcha
- Complete verification via OTP, using the alternate-number option where the mobile is not registered
- Review the on-screen preview, then complete payment online
- Retain the Service Request Number (SRN) and track the delivery via Speed Post
The applicable fee is ₹50 per most current listings, though at least one official UIDAI resource now reflects ₹75 applicants are advised to confirm the exact amount on the payment screen prior to completing the transaction. Delivery is typically completed within approximately 5 to 15 days.
Legal Validity of eAadhaar as a Replacement for the Physical Card
The downloaded eAadhaar carries full legal equivalence to the printed card under the Aadhaar Act, applicable for all purposes, as confirmed by UIDAI in an official memorandum. Banks, telecom operators, and government offices are required to accept it without distinction.
Accordingly, upon downloading or printing the eAadhaar, the holder effectively possesses a valid replacement immediately, with no requirement to await postal delivery of a physical card. Many individuals retain the eAadhaar on their mobile device indefinitely without ordering a PVC card at all. The PVC card represents a matter of convenience rather than a legal requirement.
Recovery Options at a Glance
| Situation | Recommended Action | Cost |
| Aadhaar number known | Download e-Aadhaar. | Free |
| Aadhaar number forgotten | Retrieve UID/EID online | Free |
| Mobile lost, email accessible | Retrieve via email OTP | Free |
| Both mobile and email lost | Visit the center or call 1947 | ₹30 (print) |
| Physical card required | Order PVC reprint | ₹50* |
At least one UIDAI resource currently reflects ₹75 for the PVC card confirm on the payment screen prior to ordering.
Written By
Reviewed ByLast Updated: 2nd July 2026
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the procedure for obtaining an Aadhaar card following loss?
Re-enrolment is not required. Where the Aadhaar number is known, a replacement eAadhaar may be obtained from the myAadhaar portal via OTP verification. Where the number has been forgotten, the UID or EID should first be retrieved online. For a physical replacement, a PVC reprint may be ordered. As the underlying record remains secure within UIDAI’s database, recovery is effectively a matter of obtaining a new copy.
Can eAadhaar be downloaded without the EID?
Yes, provided either the Aadhaar number or a VID is available, as any of the three credentials is accepted on the download page. Where none are available, the Retrieve Lost UID/EID service should be used first, utilizing the holder’s name and registered mobile number or email address. Once a number has been obtained, the download process is completed within minutes.
How can a forgotten Aadhaar number be retrieved?
Access the Retrieve Lost or Forgotten UID/EID page on the myAadhaar portal, select UID, and enter the full name along with the registered mobile number or email address and the captcha. Confirmation is provided via OTP, with UIDAI transmitting the number via text or email at no cost. Where neither contact method is registered, an in-person visit to an Aadhaar centre or a call to 1947 is required.
What is the appropriate course of action where the registered mobile number is also unavailable?
Where the registered email address remains accessible, it may be used in place of the mobile number on the retrieval page. Where both are unavailable, an in-person visit to an Aadhaar Seva Kendra is required, providing name, gender, and PIN code for staff verification, with printing available for a fee of ₹30. The UIDAI helpline at 1947 is also available. Updating the registered mobile number following resolution is recommended.
Is a police report required for Aadhaar recovery?
No a police report or FIR is neither required nor expedites the process. UIDAI does not request such documentation, as the Aadhaar record remains securely stored and is simply re-downloaded or reprinted. Filing an FIR may be advisable for personal record-keeping where other documents were lost alongside the Aadhaar card, but it has no bearing on the UIDAI recovery process.
Is there a fee for downloading a lost Aadhaar?
No. Downloading the eAadhaar via the myAadhaar portal or Aadhaar application is free of charge, regardless of frequency, and online retrieval of a forgotten number is similarly free. Fees apply only where a centre is requested to print a physical copy (₹30) or where a PVC card is ordered, which carries a nominal fee.
What is the procedure for reprinting an Aadhaar card?
The current reprint mechanism is the PVC Aadhaar card. Via the myAadhaar portal, select Order Aadhaar PVC Card, enter the Aadhaar number or EID, complete OTP verification, review the preview, and submit payment. UIDAI processes and dispatches the card via Speed Post to the registered address, typically within 5 to 15 days, with tracking available via the SRN.
Can eAadhaar serve as a full replacement for the physical card?
Yes. The eAadhaar holds legal equivalence to the printed card under the Aadhaar Act and must be accepted everywhere Aadhaar is valid, including by banks and government offices. Once downloaded or printed, it fully substitutes for the lost card, eliminating any requirement to await or even order a PVC card unless specifically desired.
