Losing your Aadhaar card can be concerning, given its importance as a vital identification document in India. The Aadhaar card has a unique identification number along with that it is also linked to bank accounts, phone numbers, PAN and other services. This makes it crucial to take immediate action if it’s lost.
However, one should know what to do exactly in case you lose or misplace the physical copy of your Aadhaar. Here are five essential steps you should take to safeguard your identity and prevent misuse of your Aadhaar details.
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Register an FIR
The first step after losing any important document is to file an FIR as soon as possible. To do this, you can either head to your nearest police station or file it yourself online. Filing an FIR acts as a legal confirmation of the loss, offering protection against any possible misuse of your missing documents.
Here’s a list of official websites: State-wise
-New Delhi: https://www.delhipolice.nic.in/
-Uttar Pradesh: https://uppolice.gov.in/
-Haryana: https://haryanapoliceonline.gov.in/Login
-Rajasthan: https://police.rajasthan.gov.in/citizen/login.htm?
-Maharashtra: https://citizen.mahapolice.gov.in/Citizen/MH/index.aspx
-Madhya Pradesh: https://www.mppolice.gov.in/en/complaint-0
-Gujarat: https://gujhome.gujarat.gov.in/portal/webHP
-Tamil Nadu: https://eservices.tnpolice.gov.in/CCTNSNICSDC/Index?6
-Himachal Pradesh: citizenportal.hppolice.gov.in:8080/citizen/login.htm
-Bihar: biharpolice.in/OnLineRegisterComplaint.aspx
-Jharkhand: https://jofs.jhpolice.gov.in/
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Lock your Aadhaar
The next thing you should do is lock your Aadhaar number also known as UID. This can be done using UIDAI’s website or via mAadhaar app. Doing this is important as locking UID prevents any sort of Authentication using UID, UID Token & VID for Biometrics, Demographics and OTP.
Alternatively, you can also send an SMS to lock your Aadhaar. Send OTP request: GETOTP (last 4 or 8 digits of Aadhaar number). After this send Locking Request: LOCKUID (last 4 or 8 digits of Aadhaar number 6 digit OTP that you received.
Lock Aadhaar biometrics
Locking Aadhaar’s Biometrics will prevent the misuse of your Aadhaar card.
Steps to lock Aadhaar biometrics
– Head to UIDAI’s official website
-Select the option “Lock/Unlock Biometrics” option.
– Enter Aadhaar number and Captcha
– Hit the “Send OTP” button
– Enter the OTP to authenticate
– Then, select the “Enable locking feature’ option
To unlock, repeat the entire process and select the ‘Disable locking feature’ option.
Use Digital Aadhaar or mAadhaar app
If possible, switch to the mAadhaar app or digital version of Aadhar via the Digilocker app or Virtual Aadhaar feature offered by UIDAI. This will not only keep your Aadhaar safe but will also ensure that it does not get misplaced and you are in full control of it, even if your phone gets stolen or lost.
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Reprint physical copy of Aadhaa
If you want to keep a physical copy of your Aadhar, UIDAI allows reprint requests for Aadhar. Here’s how to do it.
-Open the website www.uidai.gov.in on your PC browser.
-Navigate to the ‘Aadhaar Services’ section and select the ‘Order
-Aadhaar Reprint option.
-Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number or 16-digit Virtual Identification Number (VID) and the security code (captcha) in the dialogue box.
-If your mobile number is already registered with your Aadhaar, click the ‘Send OTP’ button.
-If your mobile number is not registered, tick the checkbox labelled ‘If you do not register your mobile number’ and proceed.
-Enter the OTP received on your phone.
-If all the details are correct, click on the ‘Make Payment’ option.
-Once the payment is successful, a confirmation message will appear on your screen. You will also receive a message on your phone containing the SRN (Service Request Number) for tracking the status.
