Here is How You Can Link Aadhaar to Mobile Number Using OTP

A step-by-step guide to linking your Aadhaar to your mobile number.

Department of Telecommunication had extended the date for the mobile linking to Aadhaar from 6 February to 31 March 2018. 

(Photo: The Quint/Liju Joseph)

We know your mailboxes and smartphones are flooded with e-mails and messages about linking your Aadhaar number to you bank account, provident fund, mobile, etc.

It’s unnerving.

Of all the above, it’s linking Aadhaar to mobile that seems to be the most cumbersome. Despite the processes being as simple as going to your telecom operator and sparing five minutes to link Aadhaar to the mobile number, people still aren’t willing to make the trip.

The last date to link your Aadhaar to mobile number is 31 March 2018 and telecom operators have already activated the service of linking Aadhaar to mobile via OTP (one-time-password).

Also Read: Linking Aadhaar to Mobile through OTP from 1 Jan: Dept of Telecom

Here is a step-by-step illustration on how you can link your Aadhaar to mobile number using OTP.

How to Link Aadhaar With Mobile

• Step 1: Dial the toll-free number 14546. The number works on any network. You will be directed by the IVR (Interactive Voice Response) to complete the verification. No more going to the store.
• Step 2: If you’re an Indian citizen, dial 1. If you’re an NRI, press 2.
• Step 3: Provide consent to link your Aadhaar to your mobile number by pressing 1. The IVR will direct you to the next step where you have to feed in the OTP (one-time-password) sent to the registered mobile number.
• Step 4: You have to enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number. Then, confirm the same by pressing 1.
• Step 5: You also need to feed in your mobile number and then give consent to your mobile operator to pick up information like name, photo, and date of birth from your UIDAI database.
• Step 6: Next, the IVR confirms the last four digits of your mobile number after which you feed in the six-digit OTP. Your OTP remains valid for 30 minutes.
• Step 7: Confirm you Aadhaar linking by pressing 1. If you have more numbers to link your Aadhaar to, you can do that too by pressing 2.

Also Read: Should I Link Aadhaar? Should I Wait? Use This ‘Deadline’ Guide

So far, Idea, Vodafone and Airtel have activated this service. Jio users do not need to link Aadhaar as all Jio numbers are registered using Aadhaar (via e-KYC) only. Also, users who are under the corporate plan do not need to go through the re-verification process.

In our four attempts, we encountered problems like invalid Aadhaar and OTP (both of which we had entered correctly), OTP not being sent, and the process being timed out constantly.

If you really get through, this consider yourselves lucky. If not… well, then back to the store.