Originally published October 03 2019, last updated September 21, 2026
The Indian government is bullish about the Aadhaar system for a complete digital identity. The best way to see this in action is the various methods implemented for the verification of a cardholder.
There are two primary methods: the online method which involves scanning the Aadhaar QR code on the Aadhaar card with the specified authentication devices. The process is fast, secure, and centrally regulated. It uses UIDAI infrastructure to process the authentication. It works fine except for minor instances where the network becomes an issue reached during an authentication.
Hence there’s another offline method, the Aadhaar XML Paperless e-KYC Process. It involves the use of a downloadable zipped XML file from the UIDAI website. The file includes the information selected by the individual for sharing during a verification process. The file can contain information like the photo, date of birth, etc. to be shared with a service provider, apart from the mandatory name and address.
It does not disclose your Aadhaar number, even in a masked form. Also, email ID and password are hashed using an algorithm specified by UIDAI.
The selected fields become a part of the XML file and are digitally signed with UIDAI’s private key. In order to verify the digital signature, the public key is also included in the XML file.
In its document UIDAI says: “… the XML file generated by the Aadhaar number holder using Offline Aadhaar Data Verification Service is a digitally signed document using UIDAI digital signature. Thus, the service provider can verify the demographic contents of the file and certify it to be authentic when doing the offline verification.”
Here is the process to download the XML file:
- Step 1: Go to URL www.uidai.gov.in
- Step 2: Enter ‘Aadhaar Number’ or ‘VID’ and mentioned ‘Security Code’ in the screen, then click on ‘Send OTP’
- Step 3: Enter the OTP received by registered Mobile Number for the given Aadhaar Number
- Step 4: Enter a Share Code which will be the password for the ZIP file and click on the ‘Download’ button
- Step 5: The Zip file containing the digitally signed XML will be downloaded
The offline verification comes in handy when the process cannot happen online or when you have to share the document. The advantage is in the ability to share only the selected information that one wants to share.
Security is a concern though
Offline Aadhaar Download, at a very optimistic level, has been tricky to perform. UIDAI does not specify the exact process of sharing the downloaded file along with the password to any institution. Couple it with the fact that UIDAI steps off from the centralized authentication.
The Aadhaar XML Download, once shared with the password, can be sent forward to be used again. There is no control over who could open the file. Strict data retention policies are governing the use of these documents, but a leak could see the data getting exposed as we have seen in the past with Aadhaar.
The use of such a document is a future, we would need it till we have significant people with online connectivity in our country. The process by UIDAI in itself would evolve to accommodate these concerns and will improve in the future.
How should it be used
The Aadhaar XML download of anyone is a piece of sensitive information that should be processed and handled with care. It should never be saved without proper security and encryption to any server. The processing of the information should, as much as possible, be done on the client and never pushed to the server.
Most Background Verification Companies in India offer this source of employee verification in their services.
The Indian government is bullish about the Aadhaar system for a complete digital identity. The best way to see this in action is the various methods implemented for the verification of a cardholder.
There are two primary methods: the online method which involves scanning the Aadhaar QR code on the Aadhaar card with the specified authentication devices. The process is fast, secure, and centrally regulated. It uses UIDAI infrastructure to process the authentication. It works fine except for minor instances where the network becomes an issue reached during an authentication.
Hence there’s another offline method, the Aadhaar XML Paperless e-KYC Process. It involves the use of a downloadable zipped XML file from the UIDAI website. The file includes the information selected by the individual for sharing during a verification process. The file can contain information like the photo, date of birth, etc. to be shared with a service provider, apart from the mandatory name and address.
If you’re asking what is an Aadhaar XML zip file before going further: it’s a password-protected zip archive containing a digitally signed XML document with your Aadhaar demographic details, name, address, photo, gender, date of birth, issued directly by UIDAI. It’s not your Aadhaar card itself, and it doesn’t contain your actual Aadhaar number, even in masked form, which is exactly what makes it safer to share than the card.
It does not disclose your Aadhaar number, even in a masked form. Also, email id and password are hashed using an algorithm specified by UIDAI.
The selected fields become a part of the XML file and are digitally signed with UIDAI’s private key. In order to verify the digital signature, the public key is also included in the XML file.
In its document UIDAI says: “… the XML file generated by the Aadhaar number holder using Offline Aadhaar Data Verification Service is a digitally signed document using UIDAI digital signature. Thus, the service provider can verify the demographic contents of the file and certify it to be authentic when doing the offline verification.”
Here is the process to download the XML file:
If you’re trying to figure out how to download aadhaar xml zip file for the first time, or you’ve seen this phrased as aadhaar xml zip file download, both point to the same process: it starts at myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in (UIDAI has moved this from the older www.uidai.gov.in address, worth double-checking you’re on the current one).
- Step 1: Go to myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in
- Step 2: Enter your ‘Aadhaar Number’ or ‘VID’ and the ‘Security Code’ shown on screen, then click ‘Send OTP’
- Step 3: Enter the OTP received on your registered Mobile Number
- Step 4: Set a share code for aadhaar xml, a 4-digit password for the ZIP file, then click ‘Download’
- Step 5: The Zip file containing the digitally signed XML will be downloaded
That download aadhaar xml zip file step is what actually produces the file on your device, and the completed download aadhar card xml file will sit in your downloads folder as a password-protected zip. If you’re asking how to get aadhaar xml zip file specifically on a phone rather than a laptop, the same portal works in mobile browsers; there’s no separate app requirement for this particular download.
Once you’ve completed the process around how to download aadhar card xml zip file process above, a common next question is what to do with the file itself. You don’t need to open or edit the Aadhar xml zip file. Just hand over the zip file and your Share Code together to whoever’s asking for it, banks, telecom providers, or your employer’s verification platform; they’ll use the code to unlock and read it on their end.
If you’re trying to figure out how to download Aadhar card XML file and it’s not opening on your phone, that’s expected, most phones can’t natively unzip a password-protected file; you’ll need a file manager app with unzip support, or just transfer it to a laptop. For anyone who specifically searched how to get Aadhar card XML zip file hoping to view the contents directly, that’s not really necessary either, the recipient institution reads it, you just need to have it ready to send.
If you’re following along and searching specifically how to download aadhaar XML zip file from UIDAI to confirm you’re on the right (official) site, myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in is the only legitimate source. This also answers how to download Aadhaar XML file from UIDAI when phrased without “zip”, it’s the identical portal and process, the file just always happens to arrive zipped regardless of how the download page itself is worded. Third-party sites offering to “generate” this file for you should be treated with real suspicion, since it requires your live OTP to complete.
For anyone asking how to download xml aadhar zip, note the file arrives as a zip archive; you’ll need to unzip it using your Share Code as the password before the actual XML file inside becomes readable, this is a separate step from the download itself.
Where to download? If you’re wondering where to download the file, or specifically how to download the aadhaar xml zip file when you already know the term but not the exact site, myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in remains the single, official answer, there’s no alternate government portal for this.
The full Aadhaar xml zip file download process, from OTP entry to the file landing in your downloads folder, takes under two minutes once you’re on the right page.
For a step-by-step summary matching Aadhaar XML file download steps or download Aadhaar XML zip file steps: visit the portal, enter Aadhaar/VID and security code, verify OTP, set a Share Code, download the zip.
If your search was UIDAI Aadhaar XML zip file, that’s simply confirming the source, UIDAI is the only body that issues this file; no third party can legitimately generate one on your behalf. The offline verification comes in handy when the process cannot happen online or when you have to share the document. The advantage is in the ability to share only the selected information that one wants to share.
Downloading vs. “generating” the file
Some people search how to generate aadhaar xml file or how to generate aadhaar xml zip file rather than “download,” since UIDAI’s own documentation uses “generate” to describe creating this fresh, signed file each time. There’s no meaningful difference, generating and downloading refer to the same five-step process; UIDAI doesn’t let you convert aadhaar to xml zip file from an existing document, each XML file has to be freshly generated through the portal.
The Offline e-KYC version of this file
This same file is also referred to as the offline Aadhaar XML file / Aadhaar offline e-kyc XML file, since it’s designed specifically for offline verification, no internet connection needed on the verifying institution’s end once you’ve handed over the file and Share Code. The steps for offline Aadhaar xml file download process is identical to the general download process above; “offline” describes how the file gets used afterward, not a different download method.
Security is a concern though
Offline Aadhaar Download, at a very optimistic level, has been tricky to perform. UIDAI does not specify the exact process of sharing the downloaded file along with the password to any institution. Couple it with the fact that UIDAI steps off from the centralized authentication.
The Aadhaar XML Download, once shared with the password, can be sent forward to be used again. There is no control over who could open the file. Strict data retention policies are governing the use of these documents, but a leak could see the data getting exposed as we have seen in the past with Aadhaar.
The use of such a document is a future, we would need it till we have significant people with online connectivity in our country. The process by UIDAI in itself would evolve to accommodate these concerns and will improve in the future.
How should it be used
The Aadhaar XML download of anyone is a piece of sensitive information that should be processed and handled with care. It should never be saved without proper security and encryption to any server. The processing of the information should, as much as possible, be done on the client and never pushed to the server.
Most Background Verification Companies in India offer this source of employee verification in their services.
We, at SpringVerify, an employee verification company, have built BGV verification processes using XML files and we always process it in an encrypted environment on the client device. Never on a server.We, at SpringVerify, an employee verification company, have built BGV verification processes using XML files and we always process it in an encrypted environment on the client device. Never on a server.
FAQs
What details does the Aadhaar XML file contain?
Reference number, Resident’s name, Gender, Photo, Date of Birth, Mobile number in hashed form, Email in hashed form
What is XML format?
XML format is a digitally signed, shareable, and protected document. Visible data includes only the name and address while other details are optional. Once your Aadhaar Card XML File Download is complete, you can use it for verification purposes.
Benefits of e-KYC:
E-KYC background verification services can only be used by verified agents and institutions. Hence, your credentials stay in safe hands. The biometric scanners need to be verified as well. Hence, offering better security. It is free of cost.
Originally published October 03 2019, last updated September 21, 2026
