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—aadhaar-biometric-locked-authentication-failed-india [2026/07/22 17:47] (current) – created - external edit 127.0.0.1
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 +{{htmlmetatags>metatag-keywords=(Aadhaar biometric locked, Aadhaar authentication failed, Virtual ID Aadhaar, Aadhaar OTP not received, name DoB mismatch Aadhaar, Aadhaar eKYC failed, UIDAI biometric lock unlock, mAadhaar app, UIDAI grievance 1947, Aadhaar Act §29)
 +metatag-description=(Aadhaar biometric locked or authentication failed in 2026? Unlock, Virtual ID, OTP, name/DoB fix and the exact UIDAI grievance route - no agents, no fees.)}}
 +
 +====== Aadhaar Biometric Locked or Authentication Failed: Citizen Guide 2026 ======
 +
 +{{ :social:auto:aadhaar-biometric-locked-authentication-failed-india.png?direct&1200 |Aadhaar biometric locked or authentication failed - RTI Wiki guide 2026}}
 +
 +
 +
 +<WRAP center round info 95%>
 +**Quick Reply:** Aadhaar biometric locked or authentication failed in 2026? Unlock, Virtual ID, OTP, name/DoB fix and the exact UIDAI grievance route - no agents, no fees.
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +**If you live abroad:** see the [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/nri-india-problem-solver|NRI India Problem Solver hub]] for bank, property, PAN, passport and parent-emergency guides built for NRIs.
 +
 +**Your fingerprint or iris is being rejected at the bank, the ration shop, the pension counter, or the new SIM kiosk. The screen flashes //"Authentication Failed - 330"// or //"Biometric Locked"// and the staff shrugs and asks you to "go fix it somewhere". You do not need an agent and you do not need to pay anyone. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) lets every resident lock, unlock, generate a Virtual ID, switch to OTP, update demographics and pull an authentication history from one official portal at https://uidai.gov.in or the mAadhaar app. This guide walks you through the exact 30-minute fix for every common failure code, the evidence to keep, the free grievance route, and the rare situations where you do need to dial 1930 or file a police FIR.**
 +
 +===== Quick Answer =====
 +
 +<WRAP info>
 +**Aadhaar authentication failed or biometric locked?** Open https://uidai.gov.in or the **mAadhaar app**, go to //My Aadhaar → Lock/Unlock Biometrics//, unlock with OTP, then generate a 16-digit **Virtual ID (VID)** at //My Aadhaar → Generate VID//. If fingerprints still fail (worn ridges, age, manual labour), tell the operator to switch to **OTP** or **iris**. For name or date-of-birth mismatch, update online at //myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in//. Free grievance: **1947** helpline, **[email protected]**, or //File a Complaint// on the UIDAI portal. Never pay an agent. Aadhaar Act 2016 §29 protects your biometric data; §47 punishes misuse.
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +===== What "Biometric Locked" and "Authentication Failed" Actually Mean =====
 +
 +Two very different problems get confused at the counter:
 +
 + - **Biometric Locked** - you (or someone with your OTP) used UIDAI's free //Lock Biometrics// feature. Your fingerprint and iris cannot be matched anywhere until you unlock. This is a **safety feature**, not a fault. Recommended for senior citizens and anyone worried about AePS fraud.
 + - **Authentication Failed** - UIDAI rejected the request. The reason is in the **error code** shown on the operator's screen. Common codes:
 +    * **300 / 330** - biometric mismatch (wet fingers, worn ridges, old enrolment, or locked biometrics).
 +    * **310** - duplicate biometric (rare; raise grievance).
 +    * **400 / 561 / 941** - invalid OTP or expired OTP.
 +    * **403** - too many requests; wait and retry.
 +    * **811 / 812** - best-finger detection record missing.
 +    * **K-200 / 997** - your Aadhaar is deactivated or under review.
 +    * **A-202** - demographic mismatch (name, DoB, gender, address).
 +
 +Knowing the code tells you //which// of the seven fixes below to apply. Always ask the operator to **read the exact error code** before you leave the counter.
 +
 +===== Why Authentication Fails - Six Real Causes =====
 +
 + - **Worn fingerprints.** Farmers, masons, cooks, housekeepers and senior citizens lose ridge depth. UIDAI itself acknowledges this and offers **iris** and **OTP** as legal alternatives under the Aadhaar (Authentication) Regulations, 2016.
 + - **Locked biometrics.** You locked it during an AePS scare and forgot.
 + - **Stale enrolment.** Aadhaar enrolled before 2014 may have low-quality biometrics. Free re-capture at any Aadhaar Seva Kendra (₹0 for biometric update at age 5/15; ₹100 for voluntary re-capture).
 + - **Demographic mismatch.** Bank shows "Pooja Kumari", Aadhaar shows "Puja Kumari". eKYC fails on a single character. Online correction is ₹50.
 + - **Mobile number not linked.** No OTP arrives because your old SIM is dead. Update mobile at any Aadhaar Seva Kendra (₹50, in person only, biometric required).
 + - **Aadhaar deactivated.** UIDAI deactivates Aadhaars flagged for biometric duplicates, dead-person records, or those that never completed quality checks. Status is visible at //myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in → Check Aadhaar Status//.
 +
 +===== Your 30-Minute Action Plan =====
 +
 +==== Minute 0 to 5 - Confirm the Status ====
 +
 + - Open https://myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in on a laptop or the **mAadhaar app** on your phone.
 + - Log in with your 12-digit Aadhaar or 16-digit VID and OTP.
 + - Go to //Services → Aadhaar Authentication History// and check the **last 6 months** of attempts. You will see who pinged your Aadhaar, when, from which agency, and the success or failure status. Take screenshots.
 + - Go to //Aadhaar Services → Lock/Unlock Biometrics//. If the toggle says //Locked//, that is your answer for codes 300/330.
 +
 +==== Minute 5 to 10 - Unlock or Generate Virtual ID ====
 +
 + - **Unlock Biometrics** - toggle off, enter the 6-digit OTP sent to your registered mobile, confirm. Unlock is instant and stays open for 10 minutes, after which it auto-locks again if you chose that setting.
 + - **Generate Virtual ID (VID)** - //My Aadhaar → Generate VID//. A 16-digit number arrives by SMS within 30 seconds. Use **this number instead of your Aadhaar** at banks, telecom, hotels and any agency that asks. VID protects your real Aadhaar number from being stored or leaked.
 +
 +==== Minute 10 to 15 - Try Again With OTP or Iris ====
 +
 + - Return to the counter with your **VID** + **registered mobile**.
 + - Tell the operator: //"Please switch the authentication mode to OTP."// The biometric device should have an OTP option under //Authentication Mode//. UIDAI Regulation 4(2)(c) gives you the right to choose OTP, iris or fingerprint.
 + - If OTP also fails (no mobile linked), ask for **iris**. Most modern STQC-certified devices support iris scan.
 +
 +==== Minute 15 to 25 - Fix Name, DoB or Mobile Online ====
 +
 + - Demographic mismatch is the silent killer of eKYC. If your bank, ration card, voter ID, PAN and Aadhaar disagree on a single character, every linked service fails.
 + - Open //myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in → Update Aadhaar Online//.
 + - Fields you can update online: **name, address, DoB, gender, language**. Each update is ₹50, paid by UPI or net banking, and processed in 7 to 30 days.
 + - Mobile number and email update is **in person only** at an Aadhaar Seva Kendra. You cannot update mobile online - that rule was tightened in 2023 to stop SIM-swap fraud.
 +
 +==== Minute 25 to 30 - File a Grievance if Stuck ====
 +
 + - **UIDAI helpline 1947** - toll free, 24x7, 12 languages, average wait under 4 minutes.
 + - **Email** - [email protected]. Always quote your **Enrolment ID (EID)** or //last 4 digits of Aadhaar//, never the full number.
 + - **Online form** - https://myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in/grievance-feedback. Attach the error-code screenshot. You receive a **complaint number** instantly.
 + - **Tatkal at Aadhaar Seva Kendra** - for in-person escalation, every district has one. Find the nearest at https://bhuvan.nrsc.gov.in/aadhaar/.
 +
 +===== Evidence Checklist =====
 +
 +Keep a single folder, physical or digital, with these items. UIDAI grievance closure is faster when you cite specifics.
 +
 +  * Screenshot of the **error code** at the counter (ask staff to allow it).
 +  * Screenshot of //Authentication History// for the date and time of failure.
 +  * Photo of the **biometric device serial number** and the **agency name** on screen.
 +  * Your **Enrolment ID (EID)** receipt (28 digits) from any update.
 +  * SMS log showing **OTP arrival or non-arrival**.
 +  * Bank or service-counter slip stating reason for refusal.
 +  * If iris was offered instead of fingerprint, the **iris device serial number**.
 +  * Any agent quote in writing - proof for §47 misuse complaint if extortion happened.
 +
 +===== The Official UIDAI Route - and Why You Must Use It =====
 +
 +UIDAI runs **one** authentic portal, **one** app and **one** helpline. Every other "Aadhaar update centre" you see on a roadside hoarding is either a private partner or an outright fraud.
 +
 + - **Portal**: https://uidai.gov.in (the new self-service hub is https://myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in).
 + - **App**: //mAadhaar// - Google Play and Apple App Store. Look for publisher **"Unique Identification Authority of India"**, not lookalikes.
 + - **Helpline**: **1947** (toll free, 24x7).
 + - **Email**: [email protected].
 + - **In-person**: Only **Aadhaar Seva Kendras (ASKs)** run by UIDAI itself, plus banks and post offices designated as **Registrar centres**. The official list with addresses is at https://bhuvan.nrsc.gov.in/aadhaar/.
 +
 +<WRAP center round important 95%>
 +**No agent, no middleman, no Telegram "expediter" has any role in UIDAI services.** Every service listed in this article is **free or fixed-fee (₹50 online, ₹100 in person)**. If anyone asks for ₹500, ₹2,000 or ₹5,000 to "unlock" or "reactivate" your Aadhaar, they are **defrauding you** and you should refuse, walk out, and report under Aadhaar Act §47 and BNS §318 (cheating).
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +===== Six Free Tools UIDAI Gives Every Resident =====
 +
 +==== 1. Biometric Lock / Unlock ====
 +
 +Free, 24x7, available on the portal and the mAadhaar app. Locking your biometric stops AePS withdrawals at every banking correspondent in India. Unlock only when you actually need to authenticate (loan, gas connection, fresh KYC).
 +
 +==== 2. Virtual ID (VID) ====
 +
 +A 16-digit temporary number that maps to your Aadhaar but never reveals it. Use VID at all third-party counters. New VID can be generated any time at //My Aadhaar → Generate VID//.
 +
 +==== 3. Aadhaar Authentication History ====
 +
 +Last 6 months of every authentication attempt. Catches AePS fraud, unauthorised eKYC, and rogue agents within hours. Pull it monthly. //My Aadhaar → Authentication History//.
 +
 +==== 4. Order Aadhaar Reprint (PVC Card) ====
 +
 +₹50 by India Post. Looks like a debit card, lasts years, easier to carry than the A4 printout. //My Aadhaar → Order Aadhaar PVC Card//.
 +
 +==== 5. Verify Aadhaar Number ====
 +
 +Did someone hand you a fake Aadhaar? Paste the 12-digit number at //My Aadhaar → Verify Aadhaar Number//. UIDAI confirms whether it exists, without revealing personal data.
 +
 +==== 6. Email or Mobile Verification ====
 +
 +Confirm whether your mobile or email is the one linked to your Aadhaar. //My Aadhaar → Verify Email/Mobile//. Catches old numbers still linked after you switched SIMs.
 +
 +===== Bank, Pension, Ration and SIM Failures - Specific Fixes =====
 +
 +==== Bank eKYC Failed ====
 +
 + - Common cause: **name mismatch** (initials vs full name) or **biometric locked**.
 + - Fix: unlock biometrics, generate VID, present VID at the bank. If name differs, update Aadhaar name online (₹50) //then// ask the bank to re-run eKYC.
 + - Banks are bound by RBI's Master Direction on KYC, 2016 (updated 2024). They cannot freeze your existing account purely on eKYC failure without giving you a written notice and 30-day cure window. Demand the notice in writing.
 + - For account freeze without notice, see [[bank-freeze-cyber-fraud-india|the bank-freeze recovery guide]].
 +
 +==== Pension or PFMS Authentication Failed ====
 +
 + - Common cause: **worn fingerprints** of senior citizens.
 + - Fix: ask the bank or Common Service Centre to use **iris** or **OTP**. The Department of Pension & Pensioners' Welfare circular dated 13 December 2014 specifically allows alternate authentication.
 + - **Jeevan Pramaan** (digital life certificate) accepts iris, fingerprint or face authentication. Use the //Jeevan Pramaan// app on a relative's smartphone; face authentication often works when fingerprints do not.
 +
 +==== Ration / PDS Failure ====
 +
 + - Common cause: e-PoS biometric mismatch or family-member fingerprint not enrolled.
 + - Fix: visit the **Fair Price Shop** with the //Aadhaar Seva Kendra// update receipt. Many states allow the **Mukhya** ration-card holder to authorise any family member; ensure all family Aadhaars are seeded in the ration card. Update at the state PDS portal.
 +
 +==== SIM Activation Refused ====
 +
 + - Common cause: **demographic mismatch** between Aadhaar and CAF (Customer Application Form).
 + - Fix: ensure your Aadhaar name, DoB and address match exactly. Telecom can also use **DigiLocker** as an alternative verification - see [[digilocker-document-verification-fix-india|DigiLocker verification fixes]].
 +
 +==== School / Scholarship eKYC ====
 +
 + - Common cause: **DoB mismatch** between school record, PAN and Aadhaar.
 + - Fix: update Aadhaar DoB online with a birth certificate, 10th marksheet, or passport. PAN-Aadhaar mismatch needs a parallel correction - see [[pan-aadhaar-name-mismatch-kyc-fix-india|the PAN-Aadhaar fix guide]].
 +
 +===== Official Complaint Route =====
 +
 +UIDAI runs a tiered grievance system. Use it in this order:
 +
 + - **Level 1 - 1947 helpline.** Note the **ticket number**. Most issues resolve here.
 + - **Level 2 - [email protected].** Reply within 7 working days is the published SLA.
 + - **Level 3 - File a Complaint at https://myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in/grievance-feedback.** Web-form generates a complaint number visible in your dashboard.
 + - **Level 4 - Regional UIDAI Office.** Eight regional offices (Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Delhi, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Mumbai, Ranchi). Addresses at https://uidai.gov.in/en/contact-support/have-any-question.html.
 + - **Level 5 - RTI under §6, RTI Act 2005** to the Central Public Information Officer, UIDAI. You can ask for: copy of your authentication logs, complaint disposal record, and the **best-finger detection** decision. See [[file-rti-online-india|how to file an RTI online to UIDAI]].
 + - **Level 6 - Public Grievance at https://pgportal.gov.in (CPGRAMS).** Choose //Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology → UIDAI//. Statutory 21-day SLA.
 + - **Level 7 - Writ Petition.** If your Aadhaar is deactivated unilaterally and grievance fails, the Supreme Court in **Justice K.S. Puttaswamy (Retd.) v. Union of India (2018) 1 SCC 809** held that Aadhaar cannot be denied for benefits accessible to a citizen as a right. High Courts have repeatedly directed UIDAI to reactivate wrongly-deactivated Aadhaars; cite this in any writ.
 +
 +===== Sample Complaint (UIDAI Online Form) =====
 +
 +<code>
 +To,
 +The Deputy Director General (Grievance Cell)
 +Unique Identification Authority of India
 +
 +Subject: Authentication failure (Error Code 330) at [Bank/Counter] on
 +         [date] - request for resolution
 +
 +Sir/Madam,
 +
 +I, the undersigned, am a resident enrolled with UIDAI vide EID
 +[28-digit Enrolment ID] / Aadhaar last 4 digits [XXXX]. On [date]
 +at [time], I attempted authentication at [agency name, branch, city]
 +for [purpose: bank eKYC / pension / SIM / ration]. The device
 +displayed Error Code 330 (biometric mismatch).
 +
 +I have already:
 +1. Confirmed via My Aadhaar that my biometrics are not locked.
 +2. Generated a fresh Virtual ID (last 4 digits [XXXX]).
 +3. Requested the operator to switch to OTP / iris mode; OTP was
 +   not delivered to my registered mobile [last 4 digits XXXX].
 +
 +I request UIDAI to:
 +(a) Verify and update my biometric record under the Aadhaar
 +    (Enrolment and Update) Regulations, 2016.
 +(b) Confirm whether my Aadhaar status is active.
 +(c) Provide a written response within the published SLA of 7
 +    working days.
 +
 +I am willing to visit any Aadhaar Seva Kendra in [city] for
 +biometric re-capture if required.
 +
 +Yours faithfully,
 +[Name]
 +Address: [as on Aadhaar]
 +Registered mobile: [XXXX XXXX XX]
 +Date: [date]
 +Place: [city]
 +</code>
 +
 +===== When Cyber Police or 1930 Is Needed =====
 +
 +**Most authentication failures are not crimes.** They are technical or demographic mismatches and the UIDAI route is enough. Police involvement is **only** needed if your **biometric data itself** has been compromised.
 +
 +You need to escalate to cyber police if //and only if// any of the following is true:
 +
 + - **AePS withdrawal happened** - money left your bank account through Aadhaar-enabled payment without your knowledge. This is biometric clone fraud. See the [[aeps-aadhaar-fraud-recovery|AePS fraud recovery guide]]; dial **1930** within the **golden hour** and file at https://cybercrime.gov.in. For 1930 call script see the [[1930-helpline-cyber-fraud-script|1930 helpline script]].
 + - **eKYC done without your consent** - for instance, a new SIM, a loan, or a digital wallet was opened in your name using your Aadhaar and biometrics. This is identity theft under **BNS §319 (cheating by personation)** and **IT Act §66C (identity theft)**.
 + - **Aadhaar biometric data was disclosed or leaked** - for example, an operator photographed your fingerprint capture screen, or shared your authentication response. Aadhaar Act §29 (confidentiality of biometric information) read with **§47** prescribes imprisonment up to 3 years.
 + - **Extortion to "unlock" your Aadhaar** - agent demands money to do what UIDAI does for free. **BNS §308 (extortion)** + Aadhaar Act §47.
 +
 +For other cases - a bank counter that simply says "not matched" - no police complaint is needed. Use the UIDAI grievance ladder.
 +
 +===== Sample FIR Wording (Only If Biometric Fraud Happened) =====
 +
 +<code>
 +To,
 +The Station House Officer
 +[Cyber Police Station / Local Police Station]
 +
 +Subject: First Information Report - unauthorised Aadhaar
 +         authentication / biometric data misuse
 +
 +Sir/Madam,
 +
 +I, the undersigned, am the holder of Aadhaar last 4 digits [XXXX].
 +On [date] my UIDAI Authentication History (annexed) shows
 +authentication request(s) from agency [agency name + AUA code]
 +which I never authorised. As a result [describe: bank account
 +debited Rs X via AePS / new SIM activated / loan opened / etc.].
 +
 +I submit that the offence(s) prima facie attract:
 + - Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies,
 +    Benefits and Services) Act, 2016 - sec. 29 (confidentiality
 +    of biometric information) read with sec. 47.
 + - Information Technology Act, 2000 - sec. 66C (identity theft)
 +    and sec. 66D (cheating by impersonation using computer
 +    resource).
 + - Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 - sec. 318 (cheating),
 +    sec. 319 (cheating by personation), sec. 308 (extortion,
 +    if agent demanded money).
 +
 +I request registration of an FIR under Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha
 +Sanhita, 2023 sec. 173 and a copy of the FIR under sec. 173(2).
 +
 +Documents enclosed:
 +  1. Aadhaar Authentication History (PDF).
 +  2. Bank statement / SIM activation message.
 +  3. Screenshots of error codes / agent demand.
 +  4. National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal acknowledgement
 +     (Complaint No: [number]).
 +
 +Yours faithfully,
 +[Name]
 +Address: [residential address]
 +Mobile: [number]
 +Date: [date]
 +Place: [city]
 +</code>
 +
 +===== Common Mistakes That Cost Citizens Money =====
 +
 + - **Paying an agent ₹500 to ₹5,000 to "unlock"** when UIDAI does it free in 30 seconds. Refuse and report.
 + - **Sharing your full Aadhaar number** when VID would do. Banks, hotels, telecoms and OTAs are bound by UIDAI circular dated 10 January 2018 to accept VID.
 + - **Not pulling Authentication History monthly.** AePS fraud is invisible until you check.
 + - **Ignoring a name mismatch of one character.** Every linked service fails until corrected.
 + - **Submitting Aadhaar to an unknown WhatsApp number** to "speed up reactivation". This is the most common biometric-fraud bait in 2025-26.
 + - **Letting an operator photograph your face during eKYC** beyond the device camera. The device captures what it needs; phones do not.
 +
 +===== Real-Life Example =====
 +
 +<WRAP center round box 90%>
 +A retired schoolteacher in Bilaspur could not draw her pension for four months. Every visit to the bank ended with //"Aadhaar Authentication Failed - 330"//. A self-styled "Aadhaar fixer" outside the bank offered to "reactivate" her Aadhaar for ₹3,500. She refused. Her grandson took her to the nearest Aadhaar Seva Kendra, asked for **iris re-capture** (her fingerprints had worn from forty years of chalk), updated the registered mobile to her current SIM, and generated a Virtual ID through the mAadhaar app. Total cost: **₹100**. Total time: **45 minutes**. The next pension cycle authenticated by iris on the first attempt. She filed a single-page UIDAI grievance about the "fixer" outside the bank under Aadhaar Act §47, and a copy went to the local police; the agent vanished from that spot within a week.
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +===== Aadhaar Act + IT Act + BNS - The Statutory Map =====
 +
 +  * **Aadhaar Act 2016 §7** - authentication is mandated for subsidies and benefits funded out of the Consolidated Fund of India, but alternate identity is to be offered if authentication fails. //Read this verse to any counter that refuses you outright.//
 +  * **Aadhaar Act 2016 §8(3)** - requesting entity must inform the resident of the nature of information to be shared and obtain consent.
 +  * **Aadhaar Act 2016 §29** - confidentiality of biometric information; core biometric cannot be shared, even with consent.
 +  * **Aadhaar Act 2016 §47** - penalties for unauthorised access or disclosure: up to 3 years imprisonment + ₹10,000 fine for individuals; up to ₹1 lakh for companies.
 +  * **Aadhaar (Enrolment and Update) Regulations, 2016** - biometric capture standards, update procedure and fees.
 +  * **Aadhaar (Authentication) Regulations, 2016** - Reg. 4 lists permitted authentication modes (OTP, fingerprint, iris, face, multi-factor); Reg. 13 requires AUAs to maintain logs.
 +  * **IT Act 2000 §43A, §66C, §66D** - applies if a body corporate is negligent with your data or if someone impersonates you using your Aadhaar.
 +  * **Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 §308 (extortion), §318 (cheating), §319 (cheating by personation)** - applies to agent-extortion and identity-theft cases on or after 1 July 2024.
 +  * **Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023 §173** - FIR registration on or after 1 July 2024 replaces CrPC §154.
 +  * **RTI Act 2005 §6 and §7** - UIDAI is a public authority; any resident can file an RTI for their authentication logs, complaint disposal record and update history. UIDAI is bound to reply in 30 days.
 +
 +===== 10 FAQs =====
 +
 +==== Is biometric lock free? ====
 +Yes. UIDAI's biometric lock and unlock are completely free, available 24x7 on the official portal and the mAadhaar app. Any agent who charges for this service is defrauding you. Report to 1947 and, if extortion was involved, to the police under BNS §308.
 +
 +==== What is the difference between Aadhaar and Virtual ID? ====
 +Aadhaar is your permanent 12-digit number. Virtual ID (VID) is a temporary 16-digit number that maps to your Aadhaar but never reveals it. VID can be regenerated any time and used at every counter that asks for Aadhaar. Always prefer VID for third-party agencies - banks, telecoms, hotels and online services are bound by UIDAI circular dated 10 January 2018 to accept it.
 +
 +==== My fingerprints will not match anywhere - what now? ====
 +Worn ridges are common in seniors, farmers, masons, cooks and people who do manual labour. UIDAI allows **iris, OTP and face authentication** as alternates under the Aadhaar (Authentication) Regulations, 2016. Ask the counter to switch the device mode. If you also need a fresh biometric record, visit any Aadhaar Seva Kendra and ask for **biometric update with iris** (₹100). Jeevan Pramaan also supports face authentication via app.
 +
 +==== I never get the Aadhaar OTP - what is wrong? ====
 +Three possibilities: your registered mobile number is old or dead, your SMS inbox is full, or the telecom OTP route is throttled. Step 1: verify mobile linkage at //myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in → Verify Email/Mobile//. Step 2: update mobile in person at any Aadhaar Seva Kendra (₹50). Mobile update cannot be done online since 2023 - this is a security measure against SIM-swap fraud, not a bug.
 +
 +==== UIDAI deactivated my Aadhaar without telling me - what do I do? ====
 +Check the status at //myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in//. Call 1947 with the EID. File a written grievance citing Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2018) 1 SCC 809 - Aadhaar cannot be denied where the citizen has a legal right to the underlying service. If UIDAI does not respond in 30 days, file an RTI under §6 of the RTI Act 2005 asking for the reason for deactivation. If still unresolved, a writ petition under Article 226 in the High Court has worked in scores of reported cases.
 +
 +==== Can a bank refuse me service because Aadhaar eKYC failed? ====
 +Not outright. RBI Master Direction on KYC, 2016 (updated 2024) requires the bank to give you a **written notice** and a **cure window** before freezing an existing account. For new accounts, RBI permits **deemed officially valid documents** like passport, voter ID, driving licence, PAN, NREGA card. Insist on Officially Valid Document (OVD) route if eKYC fails. For freeze without notice, see the [[bank-freeze-cyber-fraud-india|bank-freeze guide]].
 +
 +==== My name on Aadhaar and PAN do not match - will tax filing fail? ====
 +Yes, this is the most common eKYC failure for tax filing, mutual funds and demat accounts. Fix Aadhaar name online for ₹50 at //myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in//, or fix PAN at the NSDL or Protean e-Gov portal. Read the detailed walkthrough in the [[pan-aadhaar-name-mismatch-kyc-fix-india|PAN-Aadhaar mismatch fix]] guide.
 +
 +==== Should I call 1930 if my biometric is locked? ====
 +No. **1930 is for cyber-financial fraud only** - money actually left your account or someone impersonated you. A locked biometric is not a fraud; it is a safety feature you (or UIDAI's auto-lock) enabled. Unlock it at the portal. Dial 1930 only if AePS has already drained your account; that is a separate emergency - see [[aeps-aadhaar-fraud-recovery|AePS fraud recovery]].
 +
 +==== Can I file an RTI to UIDAI for my authentication history? ====
 +Yes. UIDAI is a public authority under §2(h) of the RTI Act 2005. You can ask for: copies of authentication logs, copy of biometric update record, deactivation order if any, grievance disposal record and best-finger detection result. UIDAI fee is ₹10. Reply within 30 days is mandatory. File online at //rtionline.gov.in// (search //UIDAI//) or by post. Step-by-step in [[file-rti-online-india|file RTI online to UIDAI]].
 +
 +==== Where do I report an agent demanding money to unlock Aadhaar? ====
 +Three places, in this order: (1) Call **1947** and lodge a UIDAI grievance citing **Aadhaar Act §47**. (2) File at **https://cybercrime.gov.in** under //Other Cyber Crime → Aadhaar fraud//. (3) Walk into the nearest police station with the agent's name, location, photo or call recording and ask for an FIR under **BNS §308 (extortion)** + **§318 (cheating)** + **Aadhaar Act §47**. The agent's "service" is a crime; your refusal is the right answer.
 +
 +===== FAQ Schema Note =====
 +
 +This article uses //==== Q ====// H3 headings for FAQ entries. RTI Wiki's sitewide //schema-auto.js// detects these headings and generates a valid **FAQPage** JSON-LD block at runtime. Do not embed inline `<HTML>` JSON-LD blocks - DokuWiki renders them as visible text on this site. The auto-script publishes one **Article** + one **FAQPage** + one **BreadcrumbList** entry per page.
 +
 +===== Sources & External Links =====
 +
 +  * **UIDAI portal**: https://uidai.gov.in
 +  * **Self-service hub**: https://myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in
 +  * **Biometric lock/unlock**: //My Aadhaar → Aadhaar Services → Lock/Unlock Biometrics//
 +  * **Generate Virtual ID**: //My Aadhaar → Generate VID//
 +  * **Authentication History**: //My Aadhaar → Aadhaar Authentication History//
 +  * **Update Aadhaar online**: https://myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in/genricUpdateOnlineAadhaar
 +  * **mAadhaar app**: Google Play Store and Apple App Store (publisher: //Unique Identification Authority of India//)
 +  * **Find an Aadhaar Seva Kendra**: https://bhuvan.nrsc.gov.in/aadhaar/
 +  * **UIDAI grievance form**: https://myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in/grievance-feedback
 +  * **UIDAI helpline**: **1947** (toll free, 24x7, 12 languages)
 +  * **UIDAI email**: [email protected]
 +  * **CPGRAMS**: https://pgportal.gov.in
 +  * **National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal**: https://cybercrime.gov.in
 +  * **Cyber-financial fraud helpline**: **1930**
 +  * **Aadhaar Act 2016**: https://uidai.gov.in/images/Aadhaar_Act_2016_as_amended.pdf
 +  * **Aadhaar (Authentication) Regulations 2016**: https://uidai.gov.in/images/regulation_3_aadhaar_authentication_regulations_2016.pdf
 +  * **Aadhaar (Enrolment and Update) Regulations 2016**: https://uidai.gov.in/images/regulation_2_aadhaar_enrolment_and_update_regulations_2016.pdf
 +  * **RTI Act 2005**: https://cic.gov.in
 +  * **RTI online portal**: https://rtionline.gov.in
 +  * **Justice K.S. Puttaswamy (Retd.) v. Union of India (2018) 1 SCC 809** - Aadhaar cannot be denied for benefits a citizen has a right to.
 +
 +===== Related RTI Wiki Guides =====
 +
 +  * [[aeps-aadhaar-fraud-recovery|AePS / Aadhaar biometric fraud recovery]]
 +  * [[bank-freeze-cyber-fraud-india|Bank account frozen on cyber-fraud flag - how to unfreeze]]
 +  * [[1930-helpline-cyber-fraud-script|1930 helpline script for cyber fraud]]
 +  * [[aadhaar-correction-rti|Aadhaar correction stuck - file an RTI]]
 +  * [[file-rti-online-india|How to file an RTI online to UIDAI]]
 +  * [[digilocker-document-verification-fix-india|DigiLocker verification failed - fix it]]
 +  * [[pan-aadhaar-name-mismatch-kyc-fix-india|PAN-Aadhaar name mismatch - eKYC fix]]
 +  * [[umang-app-citizen-services-india|UMANG app - 1,700+ citizen services in one place]]
 +  * [[citizen-rti-playbook|The citizen RTI playbook]]
 +
 +<WRAP center round tip 95%>
 +**Track Aadhaar, AePS and UIDAI updates by email.** Free notifications, zero spam. **[[https://righttoinformation.wiki/donor.php|Help RTI Wiki yearly →]]**
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +===== Hero Image Prompt =====
 +
 +//1200x630 PNG, flat-vector editorial illustration. Centre: an outline of an Indian identity card with a fingerprint and an iris icon, a small padlock overlay marked "LOCKED" in soft red. Left: a citizen in plain clothes calmly holding a smartphone showing the mAadhaar app screen with a green "Unlocked" toggle. Right: a counter staff with a biometric device displaying "Authentication Failed - 330" in muted amber. Background: a soft saffron-to-green gradient with subtle Ashoka chakra watermark. Bottom strip in deep navy: "Aadhaar Authentication Failed - Citizen Guide 2026 - righttoinformation.wiki". Style: clean, government-portal aesthetic, no real faces, no real names, no logos other than a tiny "UIDAI route only" badge.//
 +
 +{{tag>aadhaar uidai aadhaar biometric locked authentication failed}}