SIM cards not linked to Aadhaar will be deactivated: Here’s how to link

Unlinked phones will be deactivated after February 2018

The government will link Aadhaar with mobile SIM cards and also deactivate all unlinked phones after February 2018, as per reports.

This is being done as per the orders of Supreme Court passed in Lokniti Foundation case in February this year.

Reports say that all SIM cards have to be verified with Aadhaar within a year from the date of judgement. All unlinked phones will be deactivated after February next year, so criminals, fraudsters and terrorists cannot use the issued SIMs.

They said biometrics collected should be encrypted by telecom company and sent to UIDAI at that moment itself and any storage of biometric by a service provider is a criminal offence punishable with up to three years of imprisonment under the Aadhaar Act 2016.

If you're looking to link your mobile number with Aadhaar, there can be two scenarios: 
1. You are linking it for the first time
2. You have changed your phone number and want to update your Aadhaar data by replacing the old number with the new one.

Linking your mobile number to Aadhaar for the first time:

This needs to be done offline. Most online transactions are OTP (one-time-password) authenticated i.e. the OTP is sent to the registered mobile number. Obviously, online authentication is not possible as you are linking your number for the first time. To do this offline you need to follow these steps:

• Visit your nearest Aadhaar centre to get the Aadhar Update/Correction Form or download it from the UIDAI website. ( Click here to download the form).
• Fill out the form correctly; submit it to the concerned person at the centre and mention on the form that only mobile number is to be updated.
• While submitting the update form, along with photocopy of your Aadhaar card you also need to provide photocopy of an Identity proof document such as PAN Card, Passport, Voter ID card ( Click here for the complete list of supporting documents).
• Following the submission your biometrics will be verified at the enrolment centre. Your thumb impression will be verified. While applying for Aadhaar your biometrics were recorded and to authenticate the changes, they are verified.
• After verifying the biometrics, you will be given an acknowledgement slip. Usually it takes 2-5 working days for the updation to happen but as per the UIDAI helpline the turnaround time for the updation is 10 days.