How to Get Started with Aadhaar Services via SMS

How to Get Started with Aadhaar Services via SMS

Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) through biometric profiling of an Indian resident.

The Aadhar number serves as the basis for Know Your Customer (KYC) norms in banks and financial institutions, telecom services, and a host of other institutions. It is, therefore, essential for every Indian to have an Aadhaar card.

The UIDAI has launched a service called “Aadhaar Services on SMS” that enables Aadhaar number holders to use various Aadhaar services like virtual ID (VID) generation and retrieval, Aadhaar lock and unlock, etc. through short messaging service even if they do not have access to the Internet, resident portal, or m-Aadhaar, etc.

VID, or Aadhaar Virtual ID, is a 16-digit revocable random number mapped with your Aadhaar number. A virtual ID can be used in place of an Aadhaar number for authentication or e-KYC. It helps avoid misuse of the Aadhaar number and other details.

In light of the above, and for the benefit of interested readers, we discuss the topic “How to Get Started with Aadhaar Services with SMS”in this blog.

Explanation of Aadhaar services via SMS

The following table explains how to avail major Aadhaar services via SMS:

Benefits of using Aadhaar services on SMS

Locking or unlocking your Aadhaar number is a major benefit of using an SMS in this regard.

The UIDAI has added a tool to lock and unlock your Aadhaar number in order to improve the security and privacy of your Aadhaar data. Your Aadhar card number cannot be used for authentication once it has been locked. Then, you can perform authentication using your VID. By doing this, Aadhaar number misuse is prevented. You can reactivate the use of your Aadhaar number for authentication by unlocking it.

Other benefits include the following:

• You can verify your Aadhaar number.
• You can make your own VID.
• You can avail Aadhaar through paperless offline e-KYC.
• You can obtain your Aadhaar authentication history.

A step-by-step process for enrolling for Aadhaar services via SMS

• To find a facility for Aadhaar enrollment, visit the official website.
• Complete the form with the necessary information.
• Submit the necessary paperwork.
• Provide your biometric data (fingerprint and iris scan).
• Get the acknowledgment of enrollment slip.

Documents required for enrolling

You need to fill up an application form available at the enrollment center along with supporting documents, which are the Proof of Identity (PoI), Proof of Address (PoA), Proof of Relationship (PoR), and Date of Birth (DoB) documents.

Only when all the required paperwork is submitted are Aadhar cards generated. This is a list of the Aadhar card documentation that you must submit when enrolling in or applying for this card.

• Proof of identity
• Address validation
• Evidence of birthdate
• Relationship proof

Documents serving as identification

Your Aadhaar card application’s supporting identity documentation is essential. The primary requirements for these Aadhar card identity documents are the inclusion of a photo and a name on the card.

At an Aadhaar enrollment center, you can choose any of the documents from the list below

• Election ID
• PAN card
• Ration card
• Passport
• Driving license
• Government-issued photo identification.
• Photo ATM card from a bank
• The Department of Posts’ address card

You can choose any of these as identity proof for an Aadhaar card. Also, you have to furnish proof of address.

Proof of address documents

The documentation for your Aadhar card includes evidence of address, which must at the very least contain your name and address. Please be especially careful while submitting paperwork to support your address because the Aadhar card will only be mailed to that address.

The list of papers that can be used to verify the address on an Aadhaar card is shown below.  

• Ration card
• Passbook
• Bank statement
• Insurance documents
• Utility bills like electricity and telephone bill
• Post office passbook
• Voter ID
• Government photo ID card
• Gas connection bills (not older than three months)
• Marriage certificate
• Address certificate issued by village Panchayat head—for rural areas

Documents that show your birth date

You must provide documentation proving your identity and residence in addition to your date of birth.

Choose any of the following:

• Birth certificate
• Passport
• SSC certificate
• PAN card
• A government board’s or university’s grade sheet

Common resident grievances and their solutions

Though there are many grievances regarding the Aadhaar card, the most common ones that Indian residents face are listed below, along with their solutions:

1. What to do when a resident happens to misplace or lose his Aadhaar card?

If a resident misplaces or loses his or her Aadhaar card or does not have his or her Aadhaar number, then he or she can get in touch with the respective Contact Center via phone, post, or email. The resident can do this by using his or her enrollment number, and a request can be made with the center to send out another Aadhaar card.

However, a fee may be charged to avail this service. If Aadhaar is used by the resident to utilize some kind of service, then the resident can acquire the Aadhaar number by getting in touch with the agency that has offered him or her the service.

2. What should you do if the Aadhaar card doesn’t reach the intended resident or the delivery has failed?

If the Aadhaar card is not delivered to the respective individual, then he or she should get in touch with the UIDAI Contact Center and provide them with his or her enrollment number. Alternatively, a resident can log in to the UIDAI official website and check the status of his or her Aadhaar application by filling in the required information on the website.

3. What should I do if the Aadhaar card contains spelling errors or any other demographic error?

At the time of enrollment, the resident is expected to enter the correct data. Since the resident can view the entry of the data, he or she is required to double check to make sure that there are no mistakes or errors before submitting the information.

Before it is submitted for final approval, the resident is given another chance to fix any problems with the information provided. If errors are not identified and corrected, the enrollment acknowledgment letter will be printed as per the information submitted.

Even if the errors are not spotted and corrected after this stage, the resident may be required to visit the enrollment center in order to perform a demographic correction. This has to be done within two days after the enrollment. In addition, the resident must submit all the documents relevant to the corrections and the enrollment slip at the center.

5. If an Aadhaar was updated recently and it says manual check, then what does that mean?

This is because the Aadhaar is being updated in the system, and it takes at least 90 days. However, if the status remains the same even after 90 days, you can contact the authorities by dialing the toll-free number 1947 or emailing them at help@uidai.gov.in for assistance.

6. How long does it take for the Aadhaar to arrive after re-applying?

If the Aadhaar is generated from the initial enrollment, then make a note that each attempt after that will be rejected. Reapplying would therefore be useless. Instead, the Aadhaar can be retrieved through the following:

• Dialing the toll-free number, 1947
• Visiting an enrollment center
• Visiting the official website of UIDAI

7. What if an individual misplaces his or her Aadhaar number?

A resident can look up his or her Aadhaar number via their online Aadhaar service.

A resident can also call the toll-free number 1947 and get assistance from an agent to retrieve his or her EID (enrollment ID). The resident can use it further to download the e-Aadhaar via the official portal.

Important things to keep in mind while using Aadhaar services via SMS

1. It is very important to keep your Aadhaar details safe to prevent misuse of your Aadhaar data.
2. OTP details should not be divulged to any third-party members to safeguard access to your Aadhaar data.
3. You should not expose details of your VID, Aadhaar lock or unlock, etc., as this will lead to unauthorized access and manipulation of your precious Aadhaar data.

Conclusion

SMS provides a simple and cost-effective way of communicating with customers, but the benefits go far beyond that. Hence, it remains an essential part of communication and marketing strategies. SMS is a simple technology initially used to facilitate person-to-person (P2P) communication.

It is very convenient to avail various Aadhaar services via SMS. A smartphone and an Internet connection are the only requirements in this regard.

The following are the major benefits of availing Aadhaar services via SMS:

• Locking or unlocking your Aadhaar number
• You can verify your Aadhaar number.
• Your VID can be created.
• You can avail of Aadhaar paperless offline e-KYC
• You can obtain your Aadhaar authentication history

If you face any issues or have any questions regarding the Aadhaar services, you can also reach out to Kanakkupillai, an online business services platform that offers a range of services related to Aadhaar, including applying for a new Aadhaar card or updating an existing one. They can provide you with guidance and assistance throughout the process, making it easier for you to get started with Aadhaar services.

Based on everything we’ve discussed thus far, we’d like to think that this blog will be useful for all those curious readers who want to begin using Aadhaar services via SMS.

FAQ on How to Get Started with Aadhaar Services via SMS