Aadhaar eSign is a way to sign a document on a computer or phone after proving your identity with Aadhaar. Instead of printing a form, signing it with a pen and scanning it back, you approve the document through an authentication step, such as an OTP on the mobile number linked to Aadhaar, or another method offered by the service. The result is an electronic signature attached to that document. The service is offered through licensed certifying authorities and their partners, under the supervision of the Controller of Certifying Authorities.
India’s Information Technology Act recognises electronic signatures when they meet the conditions of the law. eSign is one of the routes designed for people who may not hold a traditional digital signature certificate on a USB token. That does not mean every website that shows a sign here button is genuine. You should start only from the organisation that asked for the signature, or from a known government or licensed provider, and you should read the document fully before you approve it.
How a typical eSign flow feels
A bank, a university, an employer or a government portal may send you a document to sign. You open the official link, read every page, and choose eSign. You are then taken to an authentication screen where you enter your Aadhaar number, or sometimes a Virtual ID, and complete the OTP or other check. After a successful check, the signature is applied and you can download the signed file. Keep that file and the acknowledgement. If the screen asks you to install unknown software or to share your Aadhaar OTP on a phone call, stop.
A Virtual ID, or VID, is a temporary 16 digit number that can be used in place of the 12 digit Aadhaar number in many authentication flows. UIDAI recommends generating a VID from the official myAadhaar portal or app when you want to avoid typing the Aadhaar number itself. You can also lock biometric authentication from official UIDAI channels if you wish to reduce misuse, and unlock it when a genuine service needs it. These controls are explained on the UIDAI website.
What eSign is not
eSign is not a photograph of your handwritten signature pasted onto a PDF. A pasted image can be copied and is not the same as an electronic signature under the prescribed process. eSign is also not the same as merely ticking a box that says I agree, unless the platform is actually invoking a recognised signature service. It is not a replacement for every kind of document. Some deeds, court processes or organisation rules may still ask for physical signatures or a digital signature certificate. Always read the instructions of the office that is asking you to sign.
Fees, if any, depend on the provider and the package chosen by the organisation. This article does not quote a price, because charges change. Time taken also depends on servers, OTP delivery and the length of the document. If an OTP does not arrive, check the mobile number linked to Aadhaar on the official UIDAI portal, rather than giving the number to a middleman. Do not share your Aadhaar OTP, VID or biometrics on social media or with someone who calls you unexpectedly.
Safety checks before you approve
Confirm the web address. Prefer government domains and the sites of licensed certifying authorities listed by the CCA. Read the document, including annexures and the name of the relying party. Check that your name and the purpose of the signature are correct. Sign only what you have understood. After signing, open the downloaded file and see whether the signature details are visible in the way the provider has described. Save the file in more than one safe place.
If you did not request a signature and still receive a link, treat it as suspicious. Fraudsters send messages that look like bank or tax notices and ask you to eSign or to enter Aadhaar details. Use official apps and websites, not links in unsolicited SMS. If you suspect misuse of Aadhaar, use the official UIDAI grievance and locking tools, and inform the organisation concerned. For security advice on phishing more generally, government and CERT-In awareness material is a useful starting point.
In short, Aadhaar eSign lets you sign a document electronically after Aadhaar authentication, under the framework overseen by the Controller of Certifying Authorities and the IT Act. It is convenient, but only when the document, the website and the authentication step are genuine. Read before you approve, prefer a Virtual ID where you can, never share an OTP, and keep a copy of the signed file. For the latest list of licensed providers and technical rules, rely on cca.gov.in and uidai.gov.in, not on forwarded messages.
Also Read: DigiLocker Guide: How to Download Aadhaar, PAN, Driving Licence and Marksheets Legally Valid
Source: Controller of Certifying Authorities, UIDAI, Ministry of Electronics and IT
