How to recover Aadhaar number & know update limits

May 25, 2026 Social Buzz Valli Sarvani

UIDAI has set specific rules for updating details on Aadhaar cards, including limits on changing personal information such as name, gender, and date of birth.

Since Aadhaar has become essential for banking, SIM cards, and government services, keeping the information accurate is important.

If your Aadhaar card is lost, there is no need to panic. Users can recover their Aadhaar number online, through SMS, or by using other available services.

To retrieve the Aadhaar number online, users need to visit the UIDAI Official Website and select the “Retrieve Aadhaar Number” option under the Aadhaar section.

After entering the registered name, mobile number, and captcha code, users receive an OTP on their linked mobile number.

Once verified, Aadhaar details become accessible, and the card can also be downloaded free of cost.

Aadhaar details can also reportedly be recovered through email and SMS services. Users can send their UID number, full name, and PIN code to the given email address on the website.

Similarly, Aadhaar information can be requested through SMS by sending a message to 51969 in the prescribed format: UID NAME PINCODE.

UIDAI allows Aadhaar holders to update their address multiple times through the myAadhaar portal. This facility helps people who frequently relocate or live in rented accommodation.

However, every address update requires payment of the standard processing fee and may take some time for verification.

In contrast, strict limits apply to changes in personal identity details. Aadhaar users can change their name only twice during their lifetime.

Likewise, gender and date of birth can be updated only once. Therefore, UIDAI advises applicants to enter accurate details while enrolling or updating Aadhaar records.

Mobile numbers linked to Aadhaar can also be updated whenever necessary. However, users usually need biometric verification at an Aadhaar enrolment or update centre for this process.

These rules aim to maintain the authenticity and security of Aadhaar data while allowing users flexibility for genuine updates.

Image Credit: Nishu0246, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons