How to link your Aadhaar Card and mobile number?

How to link your Aadhaar Card with your mobile number through OTP in Aadhaar Card, e-aadhar card, uidai,

All mobile subscribers have to link their mobile numbers with their Aadhaar to re-verify that it has not been activated using fake identity proofs. You can have any number of mobile connections but you need to re-verify all of them using your Aadhaar. It is worth mentioning that the last day for linking your mobile number with your Aadhaar is 31^st March 2018. If you do not abide by the deadline, your mobile connection may get deactivated until you re-verify it using your Aadhaar. The complete process is free of cost and users do not have to pay any charges for it. Follow the steps given below on how to link Aadhar with a mobile number.

Linking your Mobile Number with your Aadhaar through OTP

Mobile subscribers can link their mobile numbers with Aadhaar either by visiting the telecom operator’s outlet or through the OTP service started by the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs). Subscribers have to follow these simple steps to link their mobile numbers with their Aadhaar:

•   Call the toll-free number 14546
•        Choose the IVR option whether you are an Indian citizen or an NRI
•       Press 1 and give your consent to re-verify your active mobile number with your Aadhaar
•        Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number and confirm it by pressing 1
•      An OTP is sent to the registered mobile number
•    Give consent to your operator to access your name, photo, and Date of Birth from the UIDAI database
•     Automated IVR reads out the last 4 digits of your mobile number
•        If the number is correct, enter the OTP received on your mobile number
•     Press 1 to complete the re-verification process

Linking your Mobile Number with your Aadhaar by Visiting the Store

Subscribers, whose mobile numbers are not present in UIDAI’s database, have to visit the store/retailer for the re-verification process. They have to follow the below-mentioned steps to re-verifying their mobile number with Aadhaar:

•      Visit your operator’s/retailer’s store
•     Do not forget to carry a self-attested copy of your Aadhaar card
•      Provide your mobile number to be re-verified by the executive
•     The executive sends an OTP to your mobile number
•      Provide this OTP to the executive
•     Now provide your Aadhaar number to the executive
•      Now verify your biometric data using your fingerprint
•    You will get a confirmation message from your TSP
•     Send a reply to the message with ‘Y’ to complete the re-verification process

Why is it mandatory to re-verify mobile numbers with Aadhaar?

The Central Government has made it compulsory to re-verify all mobile numbers using the Aadhaar card of every user. This decision is taken after an order was passed by the Supreme Court to verify all mobile phones with Aadhaar. As per the data provided by the Telephone Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), there were 1178.2 million wireless subscribers as of 31^st October 2017. However, the number of active wireless subscribers stood at 1,025.79 million.

The number of mobile connections seems to be very high when compared with the population of India and keeping the fact in mind that not all people residing in India have a mobile connection. There is a high probability that a huge chunk of these active mobile subscribers has been registered through fake identity proofs. As per media reports, NIA also shared credible information that these fake numbers are being used for inciting violence and propagating terrorism in the country. Paying heed to these reports, the Supreme Court made it mandatory to re-verify all mobile numbers with Aadhaar.

Things to Keep in Mind While Re-verifying your Mobile Number with Aadhaar

•  The OTP service is available only to those customers whose numbers are already present in UIDAI’s database.
•    Subscribers who haven’t linked their mobile with their Aadhaar have to visit the store for re-verification.
•   If a person has multiple mobile connections, he has to visit the store for re-verification of those numbers that are not in the database of UIDAI.
•  If you have a prepaid connection, visit your telecom operator’s retailer. In case of a postpaid connection, visit the operator’s store for re-verification
•    The government has asked TSPs to make provisions for mobile re-verification of specially-abled and senior citizens by visiting their residences.