Lost your Aadhaar card? Here's how you can retrieve your 12-digit biometric number on UIDAI website

An individual can enrol for Aadhaar card only once. This happens as the uniqueness is achieved through the process of demographic and biometric de-duplication. Aadhaar comes in a laminated slip or card format, having 12-digit random number which is issued by UIDAI to Indian residents. The Aadhaar card is mandatory for various official purposes like filing income tax returns, opening a bank account, applying for Personal Account Number (PAN) or to avail benefits of the government schemes. But, there is always a chance that you might lose it.

In this case, a citizen must not worry as they can always order for a reprint at UIDAI. However, in case of emergency where Aadhaar information is needed, you can try to first retrieve your 12-digit biometric number using these steps -

Step 1 - Visit official website of UIDAI aka uidai.gov.in.

Step 2 - Go to 'My Aadhaar' option and click on "Retreive Lost or Forgotten EID/UID". 

Step 3 - You will be directed to a page. If you have lost your Aadhaar number, then click on UID. If lost enrolment number, then click on EID.

Step 4 - Fill in details like name, email, mobile number and add security code given in a small box. 

Step 5 - Click for Send OTP once all necessary information is furnished. 

Step 6 - You will receive a message on your mobile number having 6 digit One-Time Password (OTP). Add the number to a small box saying Enter OTP and submit.

Step 7 - You will get your Aadhaar number within seconds. 

However, you should ensure that details like mobile number or email must be registered and has been provided at the time of enrolment is mandatory to retrieve your lost UID / EID. If you have not registered your Mobile number while enrolling for Aadhaar. You are required to visit a Permanent Enrolment Centre to get it registered.

In case you have changed your mobile number or you wish to change the registered Email you are required to get it updated in your Aadhaar as soon as possible. Hence, make sure your Aadhaar card has data of your current mobile number and email address.