Key Points
- Over 2.5 lakh Aadhaar users updated email IDs within two days of launch
- Free email update service available via Aadhaar App until 31 December 2026
- Over 40 lakh mobile number updates already completed through the app
More than 2.5 lakh people updated their email addresses in Aadhaar within two days of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) launching a free email update feature on its mobile application, the authority said on Thursday.
The new service, which went live on 1 July, allows Aadhaar holders to add or change their registered email ID directly through the Aadhaar App without visiting an Aadhaar enrolment centre. The feature will remain free for six months until 31 December 2026.
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Previously, updating an email ID in Aadhaar required a physical visit to an enrolment centre and payment of a fee. The app-based service removes both requirements, making it the first time email updates can be completed entirely through a smartphone.
Why linking email to Aadhaar matters
An email address linked to Aadhaar enables real-time notifications whenever someone uses the Aadhaar number for authentication — the process by which organisations verify a person’s identity using their Aadhaar details. These alerts inform the holder each time their Aadhaar is used to open a bank account, register a new SIM card or access a government service.
Without a linked email or mobile number, Aadhaar holders have no way of knowing when their identity credentials are being used, leaving them vulnerable to misuse.
UIDAI said the Aadhaar App has processed over 40 lakh mobile number updates since its launch. Around 10 lakh users have also updated their residential addresses through the application.
By the numbers
- 2.5 lakh
- Email updates in first two days
- 40 lakh
- Mobile number updates via app
- 6 months
- Free service window until December 2026
The app allows users to perform multiple Aadhaar-related services that previously required physical visits, including downloading electronic copies of their Aadhaar card and checking authentication history.
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The Aadhaar App is available on both Android and iOS platforms. Users with older versions of the app will need to update to the latest version to access the email update feature.
Your Questions, Answered
How can I update my email ID in Aadhaar for free?
Download or update the Aadhaar App on Android or iOS and use the email update feature. The service is free until 31 December 2026 and does not require visiting an enrolment centre.
Why should I link my email to Aadhaar?
Linking an email enables real-time notifications whenever your Aadhaar is used for authentication, such as opening bank accounts or registering SIM cards. This helps you detect unauthorised use of your identity credentials.
How long is the free email update service available?
The free email update service through the Aadhaar App is available for six months from 1 July 2026 to 31 December 2026.
What other updates can I make through the Aadhaar App?
The Aadhaar App allows mobile number updates, address changes, downloading electronic Aadhaar copies and checking authentication history without visiting enrolment centres.