The Aadhaar Card digital signature or Aadhaar e-signature is a unique electronic signature based on an individual’s Aadhaar data. It is an encrypted signature that is designed to electronically sign digitised documents like letters, agreements, etc. It holds the same value as a handwritten signature. Digital signatures are different from electronic signatures. While electronic signatures usually imply entering the name in the electronic document, digital signatures are cryptographically included in the digital document.
Aadhaar eSign is a secure digital signing method that lets users authenticate official documents using their Aadhaar number and a registered mobile number or email. It enables individuals to sign contracts, applications, and government forms online through a simple OTP or biometric verification on the UIDAI platform. Once completed, the digital signature confirms the user’s identity and validates the authenticity of the Aadhaar-linked information.
Verifying an Aadhaar-based signature is essential for many formal processes—such as opening bank accounts, applying for employment, or accessing government services. It adds a strong layer of security, ensures legal validity, and significantly reduces the risk of document fraud
Let’s take a look at the benefits of Aadhaar e-Signature.
e-Signature feature has made the registration process hassle-free, quick and real time for customers by eliminating the necessity to be physically present to register Aadhaar card signature, it also prevents human errors and delays that are an unavoidable part of the manual process. Aadhaar card e-signature has also done away with hardware tokens that is a necessary part of the process.
Aadhaar e-Signature registration can be done through more than one ways, determined by the device being used by the service provider. One is the biometric verification that involves iris scanning and fingerprint verification. The second way is through mobile device via One Time Password (OTP). Here, the Aadhaar cardholder receives an OTP on his/her registered contact number as a part of the verification process.
Only certain specific information is involved in the process, so that all information is not accessible to service providers. Maintaining the privacy of information of the signatory is the responsibility of service providers.
The process of Aadhaar e-Signature involves four main entities: the Signer (user), the Application Service Provider (ASP), the eSign Service Provider (ESP), and the Certifying Authority (CA), which is regulated by the Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA).
The signer receives a document from an Application Service Provider (ASP) (e.g., a bank or government portal) and provides consent to sign it electronically using Aadhaar eSign.
The signer is redirected to a secure page hosted by an eSign Service Provider (ESP), where they enter their 12-digit Aadhaar number or Virtual ID (VID). The ESP sends this information to the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) for identity verification.
UIDAI verifies the user's identity through a One-Time Password (OTP) sent to their Aadhaar-registered mobile number or email address. Alternatively, biometric authentication (fingerprint or iris scan) can be used.
Upon successful verification, the ESP generates a temporary, secure key pair (public and private keys) for the user. The private key is used to digitally sign the document's unique "hash" (a digital fingerprint of the document content), ensuring data integrity. The private key is destroyed immediately after a one-time use to prevent misuse.
An Electronic Signature Certificate (ESC) is issued by a licensed Certifying Authority (CA) and, along with the encrypted hash, is affixed to the document by the ASP. The signed, tamper-proof document is then sent to all relevant parties (usually via email/SMS) along with an audit trail of the signing process.
The validity of an Aadhaar e-signature as a functional and legal method of signing is permanent for the signed document itself, but uses a short-lived signing certificate for enhanced security.
The digital signature certificate generated during the eSign process has a technical validity of only 30 minutes. The associated private key is destroyed immediately after this period to prevent misuse.
The signed document remains permanently tamper-proof and verifiable long after the certificate expires. Any recipient can validate the signature's authenticity using a PDF reader (like Adobe Acrobat) which checks the certificate chain and confirms that the document has not been altered since it was signed.
Before you validate your Aadhaar e-Signature via your mobile phone, you need to download the mAadhaar app first by following these simple steps:
Next, follow these steps for validating Aadhaar e-Signature through your mobile phone:
Below are the steps for validating the e-Aadhaar PDF Digital Signature via Adobe Reader:
Aadhaar e-Sign can be used to digitally sign a wide range of official and personal documents like:
It’s a secure digital signature added by UIDAI to the e-Aadhaar PDF that verifies the document’s authenticity and confirms it hasn’t been tampered with.
Yes, validating the digital signature ensures the e-Aadhaar is genuine and accepted by banks, employers, and government offices.
No, UIDAI does not store or update your personal handwritten signature; it only issues a digital signature to verify the e-Aadhaar file.
You can validate it using Adobe Reader by opening the e-Aadhaar PDF, viewing the signature panel, and trusting the UIDAI/NIC certificate.
You cannot manually link your own digital signature; Aadhaar e-Sign is generated directly through UIDAI authentication via OTP or biometrics.
Yes, Aadhaar e-Sign is legally valid under the Information Technology Act, 2000, and is accepted across government and private organisations.
It means the digital certificate isn’t yet trusted on your device. Once you add the UIDAI/NIC certificate to trusted certificates in Adobe Reader, it will show as “Valid.”
