India asks residents to update mobile number for easy online access of government services

NEW DELHI:The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has advised the residents to register or update their mobile number in Aadhaar for easy access of various government services online.

Dr. Ajay Bhushan Pandey, Chief Executive Officer, UIDAI, said, “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. Those who have not registered their mobile number during Aadhaar enrolment should get their mobile number registered in Aadhaar or update their mobile in Aadhaar, to have better communications and effortless access to government services. Aadhaar based OTP identification empowers residents to avail these services online hassle-free and conveniently.”

UIDAI has advised this 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. Digi-locker, for instance, allows a resident to open a digital locker using his Aadhaar and keep all his valuable documents in that locker. Aadhaar eSign facility allows residents to use digital signature to avail a number of services online in a cashless, presence-less and paperless manner hassle-free. 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 with Aadhaar in AIIMS or any other hospital online without standing in a queue. The income tax department allows residents to e-verify the Income Tax Return using Aadhaar and then no physical papers need be sent. All these services are using Aadhaar based OTP authentication and enabling resident to identify themselves and avail the services online, hassle-free and conveniently.

“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”, said Dr. Pandey.

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 to them and can update their mobile number in Aadhaar. The list of PECs is available at https://resident.uidai.net.in.