UIDAI started the PVC card programme in April 2020 as a paid value-added service. Over 9 crore PVC cards had been dispatched by end of FY 2024-25 (UIDAI Annual Report 2024-25). The Aadhaar number printed on a PVC card is the same as your existing Aadhaar — this is not a new enrolment, not a new number, and your old Aadhaar (paper, e-PDF, m-Aadhaar app) all stay valid in parallel.

The Aadhaar PVC card is a credit-card-sized polyvinyl chloride (PVC) card that carries:

• Your same 12-digit Aadhaar number.
• Your photograph, name, gender, DOB, address — laser-engraved (not printed in normal ink).
• A secure QR code that contains your demographic + photograph data signed digitally by UIDAI — this enables offline e-KYC without needing the internet or an OTP.
• A tamper-resistant hologram on the front and micro-print in the background.
• A Guilloche pattern (the wavy line background like on currency notes) and a ghost image (faint copy of your photo) — both anti-counterfeit features.
• Issued date and printed date on the back.

The legal anchor is §3 and §4 of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016, read with the UIDAI Circular dated 1 April 2020 that introduced the PVC card as an additional secure carrier of Aadhaar information, and the UIDAI tariff notification that fixed the fee at ₹50 (inclusive of GST + Speed Post charges).

What the PVC card is NOT:

• Not a new Aadhaar. Your Aadhaar number does not change.
• Not mandatory. The paper Aadhaar, e-Aadhaar PDF, m-Aadhaar app are all equally valid under the Act and PMLA notifications.
• Not available offline at the Aadhaar Seva Kendra. The Seva Kendras issue paper Aadhaar / coloured A4 printouts. The PVC card can be ordered only through the online myaadhaar portal.
• Not a replacement for biometric update. If you need to update your photo or fingerprints, that's a separate process at the Seva Kendra.

Go to https://myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in. This is the only legitimate ordering URL. There are several lookalike domains run by middlemen who charge ₹200-₹500 — do not pay them.

You can also reach the same page by clicking “Order Aadhaar PVC Card” on the homepage of https://uidai.gov.in.

You can identify yourself in three ways:

• Aadhaar number — the 12-digit number itself.
• VID (Virtual ID) — the 16-digit revolving ID generated from your Aadhaar (more privacy-friendly).
• EID (Enrolment ID) — the 28-digit ID issued at the time of original enrolment, useful if you are a recent enrolee whose Aadhaar number has not been generated yet.

Enter the security captcha shown on screen. Then click “Send OTP”.

This is the most important fork in the process. Read both options.

Option A — Registered mobile (preferred). If your registered mobile is active and you can receive SMS, the OTP comes in 30 seconds. Enter the 6-digit OTP. You'll see a “My Mobile number is registered” indicator after entering OTP — that confirms it.

Option B — Non-registered mobile / Aadhaar mobile not active. If you can't receive OTP on the registered number (lost SIM, ported number, registered number was a relative's mobile), tick “My Mobile number is not registered”. UIDAI will then ask you to enter:

• An alternate mobile (any working number).
• Your full name as per Aadhaar.
• Date of birth.
• State.
• Pincode.

UIDAI runs an additional security check using these against the database before allowing the order. The success rate on this route is around 85% — failures usually trace back to a typo in DOB or an outdated address.

If neither route works, you must go to an Aadhaar Seva Kendra with original ID proof and update your registered mobile (₹50 fee). After 1-2 days when the update reflects, retry the PVC order.

The portal shows a preview of the Aadhaar that will be printed on the PVC card. Carefully check:

• Name spelling.
• DOB.
• Address (the full postal address — this is also where Speed Post will deliver).
• Photograph.
• Gender.

If anything is wrong, abort the order — first correct the data through Aadhaar Update (online or Seva Kendra), then come back. The PVC card prints exactly what's in the database; ordering “as-is” and complaining later doesn't help.

Click “Make Payment”. You'll be redirected to UIDAI's payment gateway. Options:

• UPI (PhonePe, Google Pay, Paytm, BHIM).
• Net banking — all major banks.
• Debit card (most cards work; some prepaid cards may be blocked).
• Credit card.

Total deducted: ₹50 (GST + Speed Post all included). There are no extra “convenience fees”.

After payment, you get a payment confirmation page and a downloadable receipt. Save the SRN (Service Request Number) — it's a 28-digit string and is your only handle for tracking.

Two ways:

• On myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in → click “Check Aadhaar PVC Card Status” → enter SRN + captcha + OTP.
• Via SMS — send “RPRINT <last 4 digits of Aadhaar>” to 1947 from your registered mobile.

The status moves through these stages:

• In Process — payment received, queued for printing (1-2 days).
• In Print — at UIDAI's secure printer (2-3 days).
• Dispatched — handed to India Post Speed Post, with an India Post AWB number (5-7 days from order).
• Delivered — Speed Post confirmed delivery.

Once “Dispatched”, you can also track using the AWB number on https://www.indiapost.gov.in/_layouts/15/dop.portal.tracking/trackconsignment.aspx.

Speed Post tries delivery at your Aadhaar-registered address. Two attempts. If both fail (no one home, address not found), the consignment is held at the local post office for 7 days, then returned to sender (UIDAI) as RTS.

If you anticipate not being at home, leave instructions with the building security or a neighbour to receive — the postman doesn't need your signature ID, only a signed acknowledgement.

The PVC card is active from the moment it's printed — there's no “activation” step. You can use it immediately for:

• ID proof at airports (DigiYatra, CISF), railway stations, hotels, banks.
• Offline e-KYC — anyone with a UIDAI-licensed scanner can scan the QR code and instantly verify your identity without internet (used by SIM card sellers, gas agency, post office RD).
• PMLA-compliant KYC for new bank accounts, mutual funds, demat accounts.
• Self-attested copy for application forms — photocopy the PVC and self-sign.

The card has no expiry. UIDAI does not periodically reissue. If your photograph becomes badly outdated (typically 10+ years), you can do a biometric update at a Seva Kendra and then re-order a fresh PVC card.

+------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| Fee                                | ₹50 (inclusive of GST + Speed Post) |
+------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| Order channel                      | Online ONLY at                      |
|                                    | myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in              |
|                                    | (NOT at Aadhaar Seva Kendra)        |
+------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| Payment options                    | UPI / Net banking / Debit / Credit  |
+------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| Mobile OTP needed?                 | Yes — but non-registered route      |
|                                    | available with extra security check |
+------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| Print time at UIDAI printer        | 2-3 working days                    |
+------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| Speed Post dispatch                | 5-7 days from order                 |
+------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| Total time order to delivery       | 10-15 days (urban), 15-25 days      |
|                                    | (rural / NE / J&K)                  |
+------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| Card material                      | PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastic    |
+------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| Card size                          | 85.6 mm × 54 mm (CR-80, same as     |
|                                    | a credit / debit card)              |
+------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| Security features                  | Hologram, Guilloche pattern, ghost  |
|                                    | image, micro-print, secure QR,      |
|                                    | laser-engraved photograph + data    |
+------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| Validity                           | Lifetime — no expiry                |
+------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| Statutory reference                | Aadhaar Act 2016 §3, §4; UIDAI      |
|                                    | Circular dated 1 April 2020;        |
|                                    | UIDAI tariff notification           |
+------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| RTI fee for status query           | ₹10 by IPO. BPL = free.             |
+------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+

• Registered mobile is not active. SIM lost, number ported, or the registered number is no longer with you. OTP doesn't arrive. Fix: try the non-registered-mobile route; or visit a Seva Kendra and update mobile (₹50, separate process).
• Aadhaar in “exception” condition. If the original enrolment had no usable biometrics (very young child, elderly with worn fingerprints, certain disabilities), the system may flag the Aadhaar as biometric-exception and certain online services either go through extra checks or fail. Visit Seva Kendra for biometric update.
• Address mismatch with Speed Post delivery. Your registered Aadhaar address might be your father's village house, but you're physically in Bengaluru. Speed Post delivers to the registered address only. Either get someone to receive there, or first update your Aadhaar address (online, free, with proof of new address), then order PVC.
• Speed Post cannot find address (rural / new layout). Pincode correct but house number / landmark unclear. Postman attempts, fails, returns. Fix: track via India Post tracking; if returned, file complaint at indiapost.gov.in or write to UIDAI for re-dispatch.
• Duplicate order attempt. If a PVC card order is already “In Process” / “In Print”, a second order on the same Aadhaar will be blocked for 30 days. Wait, or check the existing SRN status.
• Payment debited but SRN not generated. Bank's gateway hiccup. Money is auto-refunded by UIDAI in 5-7 working days. If not, raise a complaint with payment reference number.
• Card delivered but in wrong / damaged condition. Visible damage to PVC, wrong photo, blurred QR. Email help@uidai.gov.in with photos within 7 days for a free re-print.

• 1947 — works from any landline / mobile, 24×7 (English, Hindi + 12 regional languages).
• Email: help@uidai.gov.in.
• Best for: order status, SRN tracking, payment refund, dispatch query.
• Keep ready: SRN, Aadhaar number (last 4 digits enough), payment receipt.

• Twitter / X: @UIDAI and @uidaitechsupport — public tweets get faster answers than DMs in our experience.
• UIDAI Facebook page.
• Mention SRN and a one-line problem; do not post your full Aadhaar number publicly.

There are 8 UIDAI Regional Offices: Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Delhi, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Mumbai, Ranchi. Each has a Regional Director (Joint Secretary level). Walk-in or write to the RO covering your state. RO addresses are listed on uidai.gov.in → Contact Us → Regional Offices.

• https://pgportal.gov.in → ministry “Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)” → “Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI)”.
• 30-day SLA, automatically routed to the relevant Regional Office.
• Useful for documented escalation — every action is timestamped on the portal.

UIDAI is a public authority under §2(h) of the RTI Act 2005. PIOs are designated at the UIDAI HQ (New Delhi) and at each of the 8 Regional Offices.

RTI helps here when:

• Speed Post status shows “Delivered” but you never received the card — RTI to PIO at your Regional Office for the dispatch trail, AWB number, postman acknowledgement signature, and date of physical handover.
• Card was returned-to-sender by Speed Post and re-dispatch hasn't happened despite a fresh request — RTI for the return reason recorded by Speed Post and the next dispatch date.
• SRN status has been stuck on “In Process” for more than 21 days and helpline / CPGRAMS gave only stock replies — RTI for the internal note on the SRN and the cause of delay.
• Payment ₹50 was debited from your bank but no SRN was issued and no refund came — RTI for the payment reconciliation log between PG and UIDAI for that transaction.

See the dedicated guide: RTI for Aadhaar update rejected — copy-ready template (the same template structure works for PVC card disputes — just change the subject line).

RTI does NOT help here when:

• You want to change the photograph or address on the card — that's a biometric / demographic update at the Seva Kendra, not an RTI matter.
• You want UIDAI to deliver to an address different from the registered Aadhaar address — they cannot legally do that; first update Aadhaar address.
• You want the Aadhaar Act / UIDAI policy explained — RTI is for “information held”, not for legal opinions or for explanation of why the law is structured a certain way.
• You ordered yesterday and just want a status — wait the 10-15 day SLA. PIOs treat premature RTIs as an irritant and reply “matter is under processing”.
• You want a fresh Aadhaar number because you have privacy concerns about the existing one — UIDAI does not re-issue Aadhaar numbers (except in the rare deactivation/re-enrolment cases under §28). RTI cannot conjure one.

Q. Is the Aadhaar PVC card mandatory?
No. Paper Aadhaar, e-Aadhaar PDF (downloaded from uidai.gov.in or myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in for free), and the m-Aadhaar smartphone app are all equally valid under the Aadhaar Act and PMLA Master Direction. The PVC card is a paid convenience — sturdier and pocketable. See our companion guide How to download e-Aadhaar PDF — free in 2 minutes if you don't want to spend ₹50.

Q. Can I order a PVC card for my child / parent?
Yes — there's a “Member of Family” feature on myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in. The Head-of-Family logs in, adds family members (with their Aadhaar number), and orders a PVC card for each. Each card is ₹50. The OTP for verification still goes to the child's / parent's registered mobile — so make sure that is functional.

Q. Can I order a PVC card without Aadhaar number — only with name + DOB?
No. You need either Aadhaar / VID / EID. If you don't have any of these, retrieve your Aadhaar first via the “Retrieve EID/Aadhaar” tool on myaadhaar — needs name, DOB, registered mobile.

Q. The card I received has a typo in my address. What now?
The PVC card prints exactly what's in the UIDAI database. If your existing Aadhaar already has the typo, the PVC will too. Fix it via Aadhaar Update Online (₹50, takes 7-10 days) and then order a fresh PVC card (another ₹50).

Q. How is PVC card different from the old “smart card Aadhaar” that some agents sell?
The “smart card” / laminated card sold by private agents at ₹100-₹500 is NOT an official UIDAI product. It's just a fancy lamination of your e-Aadhaar PDF. UIDAI has issued multiple advisories warning against paying anyone other than ₹50 on the official portal.

Q. Does the PVC card have a chip like a debit card?
No. There is no electronic chip. The QR code on the front is the only machine-readable element — and it carries digitally-signed offline e-KYC data. The card itself does not store data dynamically.

Q. Can NRIs order a PVC card?
Yes, if they hold a valid Aadhaar (issued post-Oct 2019 to NRIs with valid Indian passport). Delivery is only within India by Speed Post — so the address on Aadhaar must be an Indian one (parents' / sibling's / friend's address) where someone can receive.

Q. What if my Aadhaar address is in Hindi / regional language — will the card be in that language?
The PVC card prints data in English + the language in which Aadhaar was originally enrolled (e.g., English + Tamil, English + Bengali). Both versions appear on the same card.

Q. The card was delivered but the QR code isn't scanning. What now?
Try a different scanner (the official mAadhaar app's QR scanner is the most reliable). If still failing, email help@uidai.gov.in with photos — UIDAI will print and dispatch a free replacement card.

• How to download e-Aadhaar PDF — free, in 2 minutes
• RTI for Aadhaar update rejected — copy-ready template
• RTI in 12 simple steps — for first-time filers
• All Indian government helplines — one master directory
• RTI forms + state-wise fee chart

Last reviewed: 26 April 2026 by RTI Wiki editorial team. The ₹50 fee, 10-15 day SLA and the 1947 helpline are stable as of April 2026; verify on https://uidai.gov.in or write to admin@bighelpers.in if you spot anything outdated.