Losing your Aadhaar card can make things difficult and may prevent you from accessing essential services. But UIDAI has introduced many safe ways to retrieve your lost card with ease.

We have made a thorough guide that shows all the ways you can retrieve your lost Aadhaar card stress-free, whether you choose to go online or offline.

Understanding Aadhaar Card Retrieval

An Aadhaar card stores an exclusive 12-digit identity number that links your demographic and biometric information. If you lost your card, you don’t need to worry. UIDAI allows you to retrieve your Aadhaar card in minutes. You will get the option to download the e-version or request a reprint. As per the Aadhaar Act, e-Aadhaar is equally valid as the physical Aadhaar card for all purposes.

How to Retrieve a Lost Aadhaar Card Online

The online method is the quickest and most convenient way to get your card back.

Retrieve Aadhaar Number (UID) or Enrolment Number (EID) Online

The UIDAI website has a secure way to locate your UID or EID through a recovery service.

Steps:

1. Visit the official myAadhaar portal.
2. Open the Retrieve Lost UID/EID page.
3. Choose whether you want to retrieve UID or EID.
4. Enter your full name, registered mobile number, or registered email address.
5. Complete the captcha verification.
6. Select Send OTP.
7. Enter the OTP received on your registered number or email.
8. Click Verify.

Once verified, you will receive your UID/EID at your registered mobile number or email address. This service is free of cost.

Download e-Aadhaar After Retrieving UID/EID

The next step after you have your Aadhaar number or enrolment details is to get your Aadhaar card digitally.

Steps to Download e-Aadhaar:

1. Go to the Download Aadhaar page on the myAadhaar portal.
2. Enter your UID, EID, or Virtual ID (VID).
3. Complete the captcha.
4. Select Send OTP.
5. Enter the OTP and proceed to download.

A password is required to access the downloaded file. Your password is a combination of the first four letters of your name (in CAPITALS) and your year of birth. For example, if your name is Rahul and you were born in 1990, your password would be RAHU1990.

e-Aadhaar is equally valid as a physical Aadhaar card for all official purposes.

Retrieve Aadhaar Using mAadhaar App

The mAadhaar app is another easy way to get and use your Aadhaar digitally. It is available on both Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Features:

• Store up to 5 Aadhaar profiles securely on your smartphone
• Share masked Aadhaar when needed
• Offline QR for secure verification
• Update address information
• Retrieve UID/EID
• Generate Virtual ID (VID)
• Lock/unlock biometrics for added security
• Generate Time-based OTP (TOTP)

Steps to Recover Aadhaar on mAadhaar:

1. Install the mAadhaar app from the Play Store or App Store.
2. Open the app and select Retrieve UID/EID.
3. Enter your registered details.
4. Verify using OTP.
5. Retrieve your Aadhaar instantly within the app.

Request Aadhaar PVC Card Online

If you prefer a physical copy of your Aadhaar card after losing it, UIDAI offers the Aadhaar PVC Card service with secure delivery through India Post’s Speed Post.

Steps to Request Aadhaar PVC Card:

1. Visit the Order Aadhaar PVC Card page on the myAadhaar portal.
2. Enter your Aadhaar number or VID.
3. Verify using OTP.
4. Confirm and pay the PVC card fee of ₹75 (inclusive of taxes and delivery charges).
5. Your Aadhaar PVC card will be dispatched within 5 working days and delivered to your registered address via Speed Post.

Note: The PVC card fee was revised from ₹50 to ₹75 effective January 1, 2026. This was the first price revision since the PVC card service was introduced in 2020. Only Aadhaar PVC cards ordered through official UIDAI platforms (myAadhaar portal or mAadhaar app) are valid. Cards printed by private vendors are not recognised.

How to Retrieve a Lost Aadhaar Card Offline

If your network isn’t working or you can’t use the online method, you can use the offline methods. While it requires more effort than online methods, it remains a reliable option for those without internet access.

Go to the Nearest Aadhaar Seva Kendra

Aadhaar Seva Kendras provide official centres where personal Aadhaar-related services are offered. You can locate your nearest Aadhaar Enrolment Centre here or search for centres on the UIDAI portal.

What You Can Do There:

• Retrieve UID/EID
• Update mobile number
• Request Aadhaar coloured printout (₹40 fee with biometric authentication)
• Receive help with Aadhaar download

Documents Required:

• Any valid identity proof, such as:
  • PAN Card
  • Passport
  • Driving License
  • Voter ID
  • Ration Card

Steps:

1. Visit the Aadhaar Seva Kendra.
2. Provide identity proof and biometric verification.
3. Get your UID/EID retrieved.
4. Request a printout if required (₹40 fee applies).

Retrieve Aadhaar by Calling UIDAI Toll-Free Helpline

You can use the UIDAI helpline to retrieve your card. The helpline offers self-service IVR available 24/7, 365 days a year, in multiple languages including Hindi, English, and 12 regional languages (Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu).

UIDAI Helpline Numbers:

• 1947 (Toll-Free)
• 1800-300-1947 (Alternate Toll-Free)
• Email: help@uidai.gov.in

Steps:

1. Call 1947 from any mobile number.
2. Select the option for Aadhaar retrieval.
3. Provide details like name and address.
4. Verify with security questions.
5. You will receive your UID/EID on your registered number.

Retrieve Aadhaar When Mobile Number Is Not Registered

This is a common issue, and UIDAI offers a solution. Without a registered mobile number, you cannot use online services for retrieval, but you can still get your Aadhaar through offline methods.

Steps:

1. Visit an Aadhaar Enrolment Centre with valid ID proof.
2. Complete biometric authentication (fingerprint or iris scan).
3. Update or register your mobile number.
4. Once updated, retrieve your Aadhaar online anytime.
5. You may also request a physical copy after updating your mobile number.

Retrieve Aadhaar Using Enrolment Acknowledgment Slip

If you recently enrolled for Aadhaar and lost your EID, refer to the acknowledgment slip provided during enrolment.

It Contains:

• Enrolment ID (EID) – 28-digit number
• Date and time of enrolment

You can use this EID to download your e-Aadhaar or track your Aadhaar status on the myAadhaar portal.

Difference Between UID and EID

Understanding the difference will help you in the retrieval process.

UID (Aadhaar Number):

• 12-digit unique identity number
• Permanent and used for verification
• Issued after Aadhaar is generated

EID (Enrolment ID):

• 28-digit number issued during enrolment/update
• Used to track Aadhaar generation or downloads
• Temporary reference until Aadhaar is generated

If your Aadhaar was lost before delivery, retrieving the EID is the first step.

Benefits of Recovering Aadhaar Digitally

The following are advantages of digital Aadhaar retrieval:

• Immediate access – download within minutes
• No need to visit a centre
• Completely free (except physical PVC card)
• Secure OTP-based verification
• Valid digital document for all purposes as per Aadhaar Act
• Can be stored on smartphone via mAadhaar app

Important Things to Remember

• Always download Aadhaar only from official UIDAI platforms (uidai.gov.in or myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in)
• Never share your OTP with anyone
• e-Aadhaar and physical Aadhaar have equal legal validity
• Aadhaar PVC cards from private vendors are not valid
• Keep your registered mobile number updated for easy access to services

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

UIDAI’s safe online and offline services make it effortless to recover a lost Aadhaar card. Whether you obtain your UID/EID via the myAadhaar portal, mAadhaar app, helpline (1947), or Aadhaar Seva Kendra, all methods ensure security and convenience.

After retrieving your details, you can easily download the digital e-Aadhaar for free or request a physical PVC card for ₹75. Keeping your Aadhaar accessible means smooth access to essential services, identity verification, and government benefits.

To keep up with the latest Aadhaar processes and official updates, see our independent My Aadhaar guide