Forgot Your Aadhaar Card Number? Here’s How to Retrieve It and Stay Secure

In today’s digital age, the Aadhaar card is an essential identification document used for various government and private services, including mobile SIM purchases and banking transactions. It contains a unique 12-digit identification number assigned to each individual only once.

However, many people misplace their Aadhaar card or forget their Aadhaar number. If this happens, there’s no need to panic—you can still retrieve your Aadhaar details and download your e-Aadhaar even without knowing your Aadhaar number.

In This Guide, You’ll Learn:

• How to download your Aadhaar card without knowing the Aadhaar number
• What to do if your mobile number is not linked to Aadhaar
• Whether fraudsters can misuse your Aadhaar number
• How to safeguard your Aadhaar information

How to Retrieve Your Aadhaar Number Without the Card

If you have forgotten your Aadhaar number, you can retrieve it online by visiting the official UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India) website and following these steps:

1. Go to the UIDAI website and select the option “Retrieve Lost or Forgotten UID/EID”
2. Enter your registered mobile number or email ID
3. Enter the OTP received on your registered number/email
4. Your Aadhaar number will be displayed or sent to your registered contact details

Note: If your mobile number is not linked to Aadhaar, you must visit an Aadhaar Enrollment Center in person.

What If My Mobile Number Is Not Linked to Aadhaar?

If your mobile number is not registered with Aadhaar, follow these steps:

1. Visit the nearest Aadhaar Enrollment Center
2. Provide your 28-digit Enrollment ID (EID) (issued at the time of Aadhaar application)
3. Complete biometric authentication using fingerprint or iris scan
4. Once verified, you will receive a printout or a digital copy of your e-Aadhaar

Service charge: ₹30 may apply for this process.

What If I Forget Which Mobile Number Is Linked to My Aadhaar?

If you are unsure which mobile number is linked to your Aadhaar, you can check this on the UIDAI website by following the verification process.

What If My Linked Mobile Number Is Inactive?

If your registered mobile number is inactive but your email ID is linked, you can retrieve your Aadhaar number by receiving an OTP on your email.

However, if both your mobile number and email are not registered, you must visit an Aadhaar center for verification and update your details.

Can Someone Withdraw Money Using My Aadhaar Number?

No, just knowing an Aadhaar number is not enough to withdraw money from a bank account. To access an Aadhaar-linked bank account, a fraudster would also need:

• A linked mobile number to receive an OTP
• The bank account details
• Biometric authentication (fingerprint or iris scan)

How to Keep Your Aadhaar Card Secure

To protect your Aadhaar details from fraud, follow these safety measures:

• Lock your Aadhaar number through the UIDAI website
• Use a masked Aadhaar, which hides the first eight digits of your Aadhaar number
• Instead of sharing your Aadhaar number, generate and use a Virtual ID (VID) through UIDAI

Can Someone Take a Loan Using My Aadhaar Number?

No, financial institutions do not approve loans based solely on an Aadhaar number. A loan application requires:

• PAN card details
• Bank account information
• OTP verification
• The applicant’s explicit consent

How to Update Your Mobile Number in Aadhaar

If your mobile number is not linked to Aadhaar or needs to be updated, follow these steps:

1. Visit the nearest Aadhaar service center
2. Book an appointment via the UIDAI website
3. Fill out the Aadhaar Update Form with your old and new mobile numbers
4. Complete biometric verification (fingerprint and iris scan)

Fee for mobile number updates: ₹50

By following these steps, you can ensure that your Aadhaar details remain safe and secure from fraud or misuse.