Identity Documents

Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique identity number issued by UIDAI to residents of India. It is used as proof of identity and address for a wide range of services. New enrolment is done at an Aadhaar centre; most updates (address, mobile, email, name, etc.) can be started online on the official UIDAI portal.

UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India)

PAN (Permanent Account Number) is a 10-character alphanumeric identifier issued by the Income Tax Department, required for filing taxes and many financial transactions. You can apply for a new PAN, get an instant e-PAN using Aadhaar, or make corrections online.

Income Tax Department (via Protean/UTIITSL)

The Voter ID (EPIC) lets eligible citizens vote and serves as identity/address proof. New registration, corrections and address transfers are handled online through the Election Commission's Voter Services Portal.

Election Commission of India

Linking your PAN with Aadhaar is mandatory for most taxpayers. An unlinked PAN can become inoperative, which blocks ITR filing, refunds and many financial transactions. You can link PAN with Aadhaar and check the link status directly on the official Income Tax e-filing portal.

Income Tax Department

e-Aadhaar is the official password-protected PDF version of your Aadhaar card, downloadable anytime from the UIDAI website. It carries the same legal validity as the physical card and is accepted almost everywhere a printed Aadhaar is accepted, so it's a quick option if you've misplaced your card or just need a copy for an application.

UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India)

UIDAI allows Aadhaar holders to correct or update demographic details — name, date of birth, gender, address, and language — either online through the Self Service Update Portal (SSUP) or in person at an Aadhaar Seva Kendra. Which route you use depends on what you're updating: address changes can usually be done fully online, while some fields (like date of birth beyond a small range, or biometrics) require a centre visit.

UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India)

The Aadhaar PVC card is a compact, credit-card-sized, laminated version of Aadhaar with enhanced security features like a QR code, hologram, and ghost image. It's more durable than a printed paper Aadhaar and fits easily in a wallet. You can order it online for a small fee and it's delivered by post.

UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India)

Changing your address on Aadhaar — after moving cities, getting married, or simply noticing an error — can be done entirely online through UIDAI's Self Service Update Portal, without visiting a centre, as long as you have a valid address proof to upload.

UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India)

Unlike most other Aadhaar updates, changing or adding your registered mobile number cannot be done online. UIDAI requires this to happen in person at an Aadhaar Seva Kendra or Aadhaar Enrolment Centre, since there's no existing OTP channel to verify a brand-new number and biometric verification is used instead.

UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India)

After submitting an Aadhaar update or enrolment request, UIDAI issues a tracking number — a URN (Update Request Number) for updates, or an Enrolment ID for new enrolments. You can check the current status of your request anytime on the UIDAI website using this number.

UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India)

Masked Aadhaar is a version of e-Aadhaar that shows only the last 4 digits of your Aadhaar number, with the rest replaced by 'x's. It's a safer option to share when you only need to prove identity/address and don't want to expose your full Aadhaar number, such as with employers, landlords, or courier/delivery services.

UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India)

A Virtual ID (VID) is a temporary, revocable 16-digit number that can be used in place of your actual Aadhaar number for authentication and verification (such as e-KYC or Aadhaar-based OTP services). It lets you avoid sharing your permanent Aadhaar number with every agency, since the VID can be regenerated whenever you want.

UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India)

PAN (Permanent Account Number) is required for filing income tax returns and many financial transactions in India. First-time applicants have two routes: an instant, free e-PAN generated in minutes using Aadhaar e-KYC, or a standard PAN application (needed if you want a physical card or don't have Aadhaar) filed through Protean (formerly NSDL) or UTIITSL.

Income Tax Department (via Protean/UTIITSL)

If your PAN card has an error or needs updating — a misspelled name, wrong date of birth, outdated photo, or address change — you can file a PAN correction application online through Protean (NSDL) or UTIITSL. The process is similar to a fresh application but is specifically for correcting existing PAN data while keeping your PAN number unchanged.

Income Tax Department (via Protean/UTIITSL)

e-PAN is the digitally signed PDF version of your PAN card, accepted as valid proof for most purposes including e-KYC. You can download it from the Income Tax e-filing portal, or from Protean/UTIITSL depending on which agency processed your PAN application.

Income Tax Department (via Protean/UTIITSL)

After submitting a new PAN application or correction request through Protean (NSDL) or UTIITSL, you get an acknowledgement number that lets you track its progress online — from document verification through printing and dispatch.

Income Tax Department (via Protean/UTIITSL)

Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a thorough, house-to-house revision of India's electoral rolls carried out by the Election Commission of India (ECI) — deeper than the routine annual summary revision. Booth Level Officers (BLOs) verify existing voter entries and collect enumeration forms, after which a draft electoral roll is published for claims and objections before the final roll is notified. SIR is conducted in specific states or areas as and when notified by the ECI, not everywhere at once — always check the official portal to see the current status and schedule for your constituency, since this changes with each notified revision.

Election Commission of India

The e-EPIC is a secure, downloadable PDF version of your Voter ID card that carries a QR code and can be printed or shown on your phone — it's accepted anywhere the physical card is. Every registered voter can download it free from the Voter Services Portal or the Voter Helpline app.

Election Commission of India — Voter Services Portal

If your name is misspelled, your photo is unclear, your date of birth is wrong, or you've moved to a new address, you correct it using Form 8 on the Election Commission's Voter Services Portal — the same form covers most corrections to an existing voter entry, including shifting your registration to a new constituency after moving. This doesn't change your EPIC number; it updates the details tied to your existing entry.

Election Commission of India — Voter Services Portal