Link mobile numbers to Aadhaar for easy access to govt services

Those who have not registered their mobile number during Aadhaar enrolment should get it registered or update it to have better communications and effortless access to government services.

Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) on Monday appealed people to register or update their mobile numbers in Aadhaar for easy access of various government services online.

"People can avail various government services online from the comfort of their home or from wherever they are in a hassle-free manner by using their Aadhaar - the unique and non-repudiable identifier," UIDAI CEO Ajay Bhushan Pandey said in a statement.

"Aadhaar-based OTP (one-time password) identification empowers residents to avail these services online hassle-free and conveniently," he said.

Those who have not registered their mobile number during Aadhaar enrolment should get it registered or update it to have better communications and effortless access to government services, the statement said.

UIDAI has issued this advisory in view of various applications of public use such as Digi-locker, eSign, eNPS, e-Hospital, e-verification of Income Tax Return (ITR) etc, being rolled out by the government departments using Aadhaar as identifier.

Services like Aadhaar-based eSign facility allow residents to use digital signature to avail a number of services online in a cashless, presence-less and paperless manner.

"One can apply for a PAN card or update one's PAN card online using Aadhaar-based eSign facility. The e-Hospital service allows a resident to book appointment in AIIMS or any other hospital online without standing in a queue," the statement said.

The income tax department allows residents to e-verify the ITR using Aadhaar and then no physical papers need to be sent, it said.

"To avail any of such online services where Aadhaar based OTP authentication is being used, the resident must have registered his/her mobile number in Aadhaar," Pandey said.

People can visit permanent enrolment centres in their vicinity to update or add their mobile number.

"With over 103.5 crore Aadhaar generated, UIDAI has opened over 23000 Permanent Enrolment Centres (PECs) across the country. Residents can visit any of the PECs near them and update their mobile number in Aadhaar," the statement said. 

Photograph: Reuters