Your mobile number is the most critical piece of information linked to your Aadhaar card. Without a registered and active mobile number in your Aadhaar record, you cannot download e-Aadhaar, receive OTPs for Aadhaar-based authentication, use eKYC services at banks and insurance companies, access EPFO services linked to Aadhaar, or use the mAadhaar application. If your mobile number has changed, if you never registered one during enrolment, or if your registered number is no longer active, updating it immediately is essential. This guide covers the complete process for updating your mobile number in Aadhaar in 2026, including what to expect at the centre and the alternatives available.
Can You Update Mobile Number in Aadhaar Online?
This is one of the most common questions about Aadhaar updates. The direct answer is that mobile number update in Aadhaar cannot be done fully online through the UIDAI website. UIDAI does not allow mobile number changes via the online self-service portal because the mobile number is a critical security element of the Aadhaar system — changing it requires physical presence and biometric verification to prevent unauthorized changes.
The only authorized methods to update a mobile number in Aadhaar are:
- Visit an Aadhaar Enrolment Centre: The primary method — walk in to any authorized enrolment centre or Aadhaar Seva Kendra with your existing Aadhaar and the new mobile number you want to register
- Aadhaar Seva Kendra (ASK): UIDAI’s dedicated walk-in centres in major cities, operating on all working days, are the fastest and most efficient option for mobile number updates
- Post Office Aadhaar Service Centres: Many post offices across India that are authorized as Aadhaar service points can process mobile number updates
- Bank Branch Aadhaar Update Points: Selected bank branches of SBI, Bank of Baroda, and other public sector banks authorized by UIDAI can process mobile number updates
Documents Required for Mobile Number Update
The mobile number update process at an enrolment centre is relatively straightforward and requires minimal documentation:
- Your original Aadhaar card or e-Aadhaar printout (for identification at the centre)
- The new mobile number you want to register — ensure it is an active SIM card in your name
- No additional identity or address documents are typically required for a mobile number-only update, as your identity is verified biometrically at the centre
- The fee for a mobile number update is Rs. 50 (inclusive of GST) — this is the standard UIDAI service fee for any Aadhaar update or correction
Step-by-Step Process to Update Mobile Number at Enrolment Centre
- Locate the nearest Aadhaar Seva Kendra or authorized enrolment centre. Use the UIDAI locator tool on the UIDAI website or the mAadhaar app to find your nearest centre. Aadhaar Seva Kendras are preferred as they have shorter queues and dedicated staff for update services.
- Book an appointment if possible. UIDAI’s appointment portal allows you to book slots at Aadhaar Seva Kendras and selected enrolment centres. Appointment-based visits are significantly faster than walk-in queues, especially in busy urban areas.
- Visit the centre and collect the update form. At the centre, collect the Aadhaar Enrolment/Correction Form (EAF). This is the same form used for new enrolments but used here only to submit the update request.
- Fill in the form with your mobile number update request. In the form, write your existing Aadhaar number, your name as it appears on your Aadhaar, and the new mobile number you want to register. Mark clearly that only the mobile number is being updated — do not fill sections for name, address, or other details unless you also want those updated simultaneously.
- Submit the form to the operator at the counter. The operator will verify your identity by asking you to provide your Aadhaar number and may do a quick biometric verification.
- Biometric authentication. Your fingerprints or iris scan will be captured to confirm your identity before the update is processed. This biometric step is what prevents unauthorized mobile number changes by someone else.
- Pay the update fee of Rs. 50. Payment is made at the centre — most centres accept cash, and larger Aadhaar Seva Kendras may also accept UPI-based payments via apps like Google Pay, PhonePe, or Paytm.
- Collect the Update Request Number (URN) slip. After the request is submitted, you receive a slip containing a 14-digit Update Request Number (URN). This is used to track the status of your mobile number update. Keep it safely.
How Long Does Mobile Number Update Take?
- UIDAI processes mobile number update requests typically within 30 to 90 days from the date of submission
- In most cases, the update is reflected in the UIDAI database within 15 to 30 days
- You will receive an SMS on your new mobile number once the update is successfully completed
- After the update is processed, you can download a fresh e-Aadhaar, which will show the updated mobile number details
- You can also verify the update by checking your Aadhaar details on the UIDAI resident portal or mAadhaar app after the processing period
How to Track Mobile Number Update Status
- Visit the UIDAI website and go to “My Aadhaar,” then “Check Aadhaar Update Status”
- Enter your 28-digit Aadhaar Update Request Number (URN) from the slip you received at the centre
- Enter the security CAPTCHA and click “Check Status”
- The system will display the current status as: Received, Under Process, Updated, or Rejected
- If the status is “Rejected,” the reason is displayed — common reasons include biometric mismatch or technical errors, in which case you need to visit the centre again
- You can also track status using the SRN (Service Request Number) if provided by the centre
Why a Registered Mobile Number Is So Important
Many Aadhaar holders underestimate how critical the registered mobile number is across financial and government services. Here is a comprehensive breakdown of what you cannot access without a registered mobile number in Aadhaar:
- E-Aadhaar download: OTP is sent only to the registered mobile — without it, you cannot download your e-Aadhaar from the UIDAI website
- Banking eKYC: Banks including SBI, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, and Kotak Mahindra Bank use Aadhaar-based OTP eKYC for instant digital account opening — this requires the registered number
- Insurance eKYC: Paperless KYC for health insurance policies from Star Health Insurance, Niva Bupa, Care Health, and HDFC ERGO requires Aadhaar OTP sent to the registered mobile
- EPFO services: EPF withdrawal requests, UAN activation, and pension processing on the EPFO portal require Aadhaar-based OTP authentication
- Income tax services: PAN-Aadhaar linking, ITR e-verification using Aadhaar OTP, and other IT portal services require a working registered mobile number
- Government scheme enrollment: DBT-linked schemes including PM Kisan, LPG subsidy, PM Awas Yojana, and Scholarship India often require Aadhaar OTP verification
- Mutual fund and investment KYC: Platforms including Groww, Zerodha, Paytm Money, and SBI Mutual Fund use Aadhaar OTP KYC for account activation
- Loan processing: NBFC and bank loan processing by entities including Bajaj Finance, Tata Capital, Muthoot Finance, and Mahindra Finance uses Aadhaar OTP for instant customer verification
- mAadhaar app: Setting up the mAadhaar application requires the registered mobile number for OTP verification
What to Do If You Have Forgotten Your Registered Mobile Number
- You can check which mobile number is currently registered in your Aadhaar by visiting the UIDAI website and using the “Verify Email/Mobile Number” or “Check Aadhaar Status” services — these show a masked version of your registered number
- If you no longer have access to your previously registered mobile number (lost SIM, deactivated number, changed operator), you will need to visit an enrolment centre to update it with your new number — there is no online bypass for this security measure
- Carry your Aadhaar card, and biometrics will be used to verify your identity before the old number is replaced
- Do not share your registered mobile number or Aadhaar OTPs with any third party — legitimate banks, insurance companies, and government agencies will never ask you to share an OTP received on your mobile
Mobile Number Update for Deceased Family Members
If a family member has passed away and you need to update their Aadhaar (for property, insurance, or legal purposes), note that Aadhaar records are linked to biometric data and cannot be updated after the individual’s death. For handling deceased family member records, legal heirs should contact UIDAI directly through official grievance channels and provide death certificate documentation.
Common Issues and Solutions During Mobile Number Update
- Centre not accepting the request: Ensure you are visiting an officially authorized UIDAI enrolment centre — verify the centre’s listed status on the UIDAI official locator before visiting
- Biometric rejection: If your fingerprint or iris scan fails authentication repeatedly, the operator can try alternative fingers or the iris scan. Elderly applicants or those with worn fingerprints may face difficulties — ensure hands are clean and dry
- Update rejected after submission: Re-visit the centre with your URN slip and request clarification on the rejection reason. Most rejections are due to technical errors and can be resolved with a fresh submission
- Long waiting time at centre: Book an appointment online where available, or visit Aadhaar Seva Kendras during off-peak hours (typically mid-morning on weekdays)
- Operator refusing to update without extra documents: For a mobile number-only update, no additional documents beyond your Aadhaar are required. If an operator insists otherwise, escalate to the centre supervisor or report through UIDAI’s grievance portal
Protecting Your Aadhaar Mobile Number from Misuse
- Never share your Aadhaar OTP with anyone — no bank, including SBI, HDFC Bank, or ICICI Bank, will ever call you to ask for your Aadhaar OTP
- Never allow anyone to use your Aadhaar and registered mobile number together for eKYC on your behalf without your presence and consent
- Regularly check your Aadhaar authentication history on the UIDAI website under “Aadhaar Authentication History” to see where and when your Aadhaar was used for verification
- If you suspect unauthorized use of your Aadhaar, lock your biometrics immediately using the UIDAI website or mAadhaar app — this prevents any biometric authentication of your Aadhaar until you unlock it
- Report suspicious activity to UIDAI through the official grievance portal or helpline number 1947
Updating Mobile Number for NRIs and Overseas Indians
Non-Resident Indians who hold an Aadhaar card face a particular challenge with mobile number updates — the registered number may be an Indian number that has been deactivated due to non-use while the person is abroad. When an NRI returns to India and wants to update services linked to Aadhaar, they often find the OTP cannot be delivered to their old number.
- If the old registered number is still active and you have access to it (either by roaming or by retaining the SIM), complete the mobile number update online if your address is also being updated simultaneously — the mobile number change itself requires a centre visit
- If the old number is deactivated, the only path is to visit an Aadhaar enrolment centre in India during your visit and update the mobile number biometrically at the centre
- NRIs who have stayed away for extended periods should prioritize the mobile number update as the first task upon return to India, before attempting any other Aadhaar-linked financial activity
- Once the mobile is updated, all financial services — including EPFO NRI account access, NRE/NRO banking services at SBI, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and Kotak Mahindra Bank, and NPS account updates — can proceed using Aadhaar OTP authentication
- The NRFC (Non-Resident Foreign Currency) and FCNR (Foreign Currency Non-Resident) account opening processes at major banks also require Aadhaar OTP for KYC — an active registered mobile number is essential for NRIs opening such accounts
Linking Aadhaar Mobile Number with Bank Accounts
Many people confuse the mobile number registered in their Aadhaar with the mobile number registered with their bank account. These are separate registrations and need to be managed independently:
- Your Aadhaar registered mobile is used for UIDAI’s own OTP services — e-Aadhaar download, biometric lock, authentication history check, and the SSUP online update portal
- Your bank-registered mobile (at SBI, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, etc.) is used for banking OTPs, transaction alerts, and bank-side authentication
- For Aadhaar-based eKYC at a bank, the bank sends an authentication request to UIDAI, which then sends the OTP to your Aadhaar-registered mobile — so the mobile registered in Aadhaar must be the one you have with you at the time of eKYC
- If you have updated your mobile number in Aadhaar but not with your bank, you will receive banking alerts on the old number but Aadhaar OTPs on the new number — these can be managed separately
- When both numbers are the same (same number registered in Aadhaar and with all banks), the system works most smoothly for all OTP-based financial transactions
Multiple Mobile Numbers and Aadhaar: What You Need to Know
- UIDAI allows only one mobile number to be registered per Aadhaar at any given time — there is no provision for multiple registered mobile numbers
- If you use multiple SIM cards across different operators such as Jio, Airtel, Vi, and BSNL, you must decide which number to register as the primary Aadhaar-linked number
- Choose a number that you are likely to retain long-term and that remains active even during travel — avoid registering a secondary or work SIM as the Aadhaar number that may be deactivated if you change jobs or operators
- If your registered number is temporarily unavailable (roaming issues, network outage), you can use the mAadhaar TOTP feature as an alternative to SMS-based OTP for UIDAI services where TOTP is accepted
Role of Aadhaar in India’s Digital Financial Ecosystem
The mobile number registered in your Aadhaar is not just a contact detail — it is the authentication bridge between your physical identity and India’s entire digital financial services ecosystem. Every time a bank, insurance company, or government portal needs to confirm that the person accessing the service is the genuine Aadhaar holder, an OTP is sent to the registered mobile number as the primary verification step.
- Banking services: Account opening, cheque book requests, loan applications, and high-value transactions at SBI, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, and all digital banking platforms use Aadhaar OTP for two-factor authentication
- Insurance enrollment and claims: New policy issuance at LIC, Star Health Insurance, Niva Bupa, Care Health, and HDFC ERGO requires Aadhaar OTP eKYC — as do claim reimbursement requests processed through digital channels
- Investment platforms: Mutual fund KYC at platforms including Groww, Zerodha Coin, HDFC Mutual Fund, SBI Mutual Fund, and Paytm Money requires Aadhaar OTP for account activation and FATCA compliance
- EPFO and pension access: UAN generation, EPF passbook access, withdrawal claims, and EPFO grievance filings all use Aadhaar OTP for secure authentication
- Government scheme verification: Enrollment and benefit verification under PM Kisan, Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, National Scholarship Portal, and state government welfare schemes require Aadhaar OTP confirmation at key stages
- Income tax portal: Logging into the income tax e-filing portal, filing ITR, and completing income verification for loan applications all use Aadhaar OTP as a secure login option
- Telecom services: Jio, Airtel, Vi, and BSNL use Aadhaar OTP for instant SIM card activation, SIM swap verification, and porting requests between operators