DigiLocker is a secure cloud-based platform provided by the Government of India under the Ministry of Electronics and IT. It offers 1GB of free secure storage per user and, more importantly, allows you to fetch and store official government-issued documents digitally. Documents stored in DigiLocker are considered legally valid on par with original physical documents under Rule 9A of the Information Technology Rules, 2016.
This means your driving license, Aadhaar, PAN, vehicle RC, and academic marksheets in DigiLocker can be presented to any authority (traffic police, bank, employer) instead of carrying the originals.
Here is how to create an account and start fetching your documents.
Step 1: Download the app or visit the website
You can use DigiLocker on your computer or mobile phone:
- Android: Download the official DigiLocker app from the Google Play Store.
- iOS: Download from the Apple App Store.
- Web: Visit digilocker.gov.in.
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The mobile app is more convenient for day-to-day use since you can pull up your DL or RC instantly during a traffic stop. The web version is better for the initial setup and for fetching multiple documents at once.
Step 2: Sign up for a new account
- Click on the Sign Up button.
- Enter your full name exactly as it appears on your Aadhaar card. This is important because the system validates your name against the UIDAI database. Even minor differences (like "Raj Kumar" vs. "Rajkumar") will cause verification failure.
- Provide your date of birth and gender.
- Enter your mobile number (must be the number linked to your Aadhaar).
- Set a 6-digit security PIN that you will remember. This PIN is required every time you log in.
- Enter your Email ID and your 12-digit Aadhaar number.
- Click Submit.
Step 3: Verify with Aadhaar OTP
An OTP will be sent to the mobile number registered with your Aadhaar (not the number you just entered, if they are different). Enter the OTP to verify your identity. Your account is now active and ready to use.
WARNING
The OTP is sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number, which may be different from your current daily-use number. If you have changed your phone number since getting your Aadhaar, you must first update your mobile number with UIDAI (this requires a physical visit to an Aadhaar enrollment center). See our Aadhaar mobile number update guide.
Step 4: Fetch your Aadhaar card
When you log in for the first time, your Aadhaar card is usually fetched automatically and appears in the Issued Documents section. If it does not:
- Go to the Search Documents section (the magnifying glass icon on mobile, or the search bar on the web).
- Type "Aadhaar" and select Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).
- Click on the Aadhaar option, enter your Aadhaar number, verify with an OTP, and the document will be saved in your Issued Documents folder.
Step 5: Fetch PAN, Driving License, and Vehicle RC
You can fetch any document issued by a government body that has integrated with DigiLocker. Here are the most commonly fetched documents:
| Document | Search For | Issuing Authority | What You Need |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAN Card | "Income Tax" | Income Tax Department | PAN number + name as on PAN |
| Driving License | "Driving License" | Ministry of Road Transport | DL number + date of birth |
| Vehicle RC | "Registration Certificate" | Ministry of Road Transport | Vehicle registration number |
| Class 10 Marksheet | Your board name (e.g., "CBSE") | Respective Board | Roll number + year of passing |
| Class 12 Marksheet | Your board name | Respective Board | Roll number + year of passing |
| Degree Certificate | Your university name | Respective University | Enrollment/roll number |
To fetch a document:
- Go to Search Documents.
- Type the name of the issuing authority (e.g., "Income Tax Department").
- Select the specific document type from the results.
- Enter the required identifiers (e.g., PAN number, DL number).
- Click Get Document.
If the fetch is successful, the document appears in your Issued Documents section with a blue verified badge.
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You can also fetch your insurance policies (from LIC, ICICI Lombard, etc.), your EPFO passbook, and your COVID vaccination certificate from the COWIN repository. The list of integrated issuers is growing constantly.
Step 6: Using the DigiLocker Drive
Aside from fetching official documents, DigiLocker provides a personal Drive section where you can upload your own documents:
- Free storage: 1GB per user (documents fetched from government databases do not count towards this limit).
- Maximum file size: 10MB per file.
- Accepted formats: PDF, JPEG, and PNG.
- Good candidates for upload: Medical records, rent agreements, insurance policy copies, property documents, employment letters.
Understanding Legal Validity
This is an important distinction that many people get wrong:
| Section | What It Contains | Legal Status |
|---|---|---|
| Issued Documents | Documents fetched directly from government databases (Aadhaar, PAN, DL, etc.) | Legally valid as original under IT Act Rule 9A |
| Uploaded Documents (Drive) | Personal documents you manually upload (medical records, rent agreements, etc.) | Not legally valid as originals; treated as personal backup copies |
WARNING
During a traffic stop or airport check, only documents from the Issued Documents section are accepted as valid proof. A PDF of your driving license that you manually uploaded to Drive is just a backup copy and does not hold the same legal validity.
Common Mistakes
- Name mismatch during sign-up: Your name must match your Aadhaar exactly. "Rahul Sharma" on Aadhaar and "R Sharma" during sign-up will cause the OTP verification to fail.
- Expired Driving License: DigiLocker fetches the DL as-is from the Parivahan database. If your physical DL has expired, the digital version will also show as expired. You must renew the physical DL first.
- Trying to fetch documents from non-integrated issuers: Not every government body has integrated with DigiLocker yet. Some state universities and smaller boards may not have their systems connected. If a search returns no results, the issuer has not yet onboarded.
Troubleshooting
"Aadhaar verification failed" during sign-up: Check that the mobile number linked to your Aadhaar is still active and receiving SMS. If you have changed your number, update it at an Aadhaar enrollment center first.
A document fetch returns "No records found": Verify that you are entering the correct identifier (DL number, PAN, roll number). Check for typos. For academic documents, ensure the year of passing and board name are correct. Some older records (pre-2015) may not be digitized in the issuing authority's database.
The app is very slow or keeps crashing: DigiLocker's servers experience heavy load during exam result seasons (May-July) and during major government document drives. Try again during off-peak hours (early morning or late night).
I cannot find my university in the search results: Not all universities have integrated with DigiLocker's ABC (Academic Bank of Credits) system. Check the full list of integrated issuers on the DigiLocker website. If your university is not listed, you will need to contact them directly for digital copies.
Related Guides
- How to Download e-Aadhaar Online
- How to Download e-PAN Card
- How to Download e-EPIC (Digital Voter ID)
Need more help?
For more information, check out our Digital India guides or try our calculators.