How to Use DigiLocker — Store and Access Government Documents Online

DigiLocker is India's official platform for storing and accessing government documents digitally. No more carrying photocopies or worrying about lost certificates — everything is available on your phone or computer.

This guide covers everything: creating your account, fetching documents, sharing them, and using DigiLocker for KYC.

What is DigiLocker?

DigiLocker is a free cloud-based platform launched by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India. It works as a digital document wallet linked to your Aadhaar number.

Key features:

• Store government-issued documents (Aadhaar, PAN, driving license, etc.)
• Fetch documents directly from issuing authorities
• Upload your own scanned documents
• Share documents digitally for verification
• Documents are legally valid — equal to original physical copies

Website: https://www.digilocker.gov.in

Storage: Every user gets 1 GB free storage for uploaded documents.

How to Create a DigiLocker Account

You need an Aadhaar number linked to a mobile number to sign up.

On the Website

1. Go to https://www.digilocker.gov.in
2. Click "Sign Up"
3. Enter your mobile number (must be linked to Aadhaar)
4. Enter the OTP received on your mobile
5. Enter your Aadhaar number
6. Verify with Aadhaar OTP (sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile)
7. Set a 6-digit security PIN
8. Set a username and password
9. Your DigiLocker account is created!

On the Mobile App

1. Download the DigiLocker app from Google Play Store or Apple App Store
2. Open the app and tap "Sign Up"
3. Follow the same steps as above (mobile OTP → Aadhaar verification → set PIN)

Tip: Your Aadhaar-linked mobile number must be active. If it's changed, update it at your nearest Aadhaar centre first.

How to Fetch Government Documents

This is DigiLocker's most powerful feature. You can pull official documents directly from government departments — no scanning needed.

Steps to Fetch a Document

1. Log in to DigiLocker (website or app)
2. Go to "Issued Documents" section
3. Click "Get More Issued Documents" or the search icon
4. Select the issuing department (e.g., CBSE, Transport Department, Income Tax)
5. Select the document type (e.g., Driving License, PAN)
6. Enter the required details (document number, date of birth, etc.)
7. Click "Get Document"
8. The document will appear in your Issued Documents section

Note: Fetched documents come with a digital signature from the issuing authority. They are legally equivalent to originals.

List of Available Documents (by Category)

DigiLocker connects with 2,300+ issuing organisations. Here are the most commonly fetched documents:

Identity Documents

• Aadhaar Card — UIDAI
• PAN Card — Income Tax Department
• Voter ID (EPIC) — Election Commission of India

Transport Documents

• Driving License — State Transport Departments
• Vehicle Registration Certificate (RC) — State Transport Departments

Education Documents

• CBSE Class 10 & 12 Marksheets and Certificates — CBSE
• Degree Certificates — Various universities (UGC-recognised)
• Diploma Certificates — State technical boards
• ABC (Academic Bank of Credits) — Academic transcripts

Health Documents

• CoWIN Vaccination Certificate — Ministry of Health
• ABHA Health ID — National Health Authority

Insurance & Finance

• Insurance Policies — Select insurance companies
• EPFO Documents — Employees' Provident Fund Organisation

Other Documents

• Caste Certificate — State governments
• Income Certificate — State governments
• Domicile Certificate — State governments
• Property Registration Documents — Select states

Tip: The list of available documents keeps growing. Check the "Browse Documents" section in DigiLocker for the latest.

How to Upload Your Own Documents

For documents not available through issuers, you can upload scanned copies.

1. Log in to DigiLocker
2. Go to "Uploaded Documents" section
3. Click "Upload"
4. Select the document type from the dropdown
5. Choose the file from your device (PDF, JPEG, PNG — max 10 MB per file)
6. Click "Upload"

Storage limit: 1 GB for uploaded documents.

Note: Uploaded documents are not digitally signed by the government. They are like carrying a scanned copy. Fetched/issued documents carry more legal weight.

Is DigiLocker Legally Valid?

Yes. DigiLocker documents are legally valid under Indian law.

Legal Basis

• IT Act, 2000 — Section 9: Recognises documents issued via DigiLocker as legally equivalent to original physical documents.
• Rule 9A of the IT Rules: Documents accessed through DigiLocker are treated as original documents for all purposes.
• A 2016 government notification declared that DigiLocker-issued documents are at par with original physical documents.

What This Means for You

• You don't need to carry physical copies if you have the document in DigiLocker
• Traffic police, banks, airports, and government offices must accept DigiLocker documents
• Driving license and vehicle RC on DigiLocker are accepted during traffic checks (as per MoRTH guidelines)

How to Use DigiLocker for KYC

Many banks, telecom companies, and financial institutions accept DigiLocker documents for KYC (Know Your Customer) verification.

Steps

1. When a bank or service asks for KYC documents, look for the "DigiLocker" or "Fetch from DigiLocker" option
2. You'll be redirected to DigiLocker login
3. Log in and grant consent to share specific documents
4. The organisation fetches the document directly — no upload needed

Where DigiLocker KYC is Accepted

• Banks (SBI, HDFC, ICICI, etc.)
• Mutual fund platforms (Zerodha, Groww, etc.)
• Telecom operators for SIM verification
• Government schemes and portals

Benefit: KYC via DigiLocker is faster and more secure since documents are verified directly from the source.

How to Share Documents

You can share your DigiLocker documents with anyone via a link or URI.

Steps to Share

1. Open the document you want to share
2. Click the "Share" button
3. Choose to share via link, email, or document URI
4. The recipient can view and verify the document online

Note: You control what you share. You can revoke access anytime from your DigiLocker dashboard under "Activity" or "Consent" settings.

DigiLocker App (Mobile)

The DigiLocker app is available on both Android and iOS.

Download Links

• Android: Google Play Store
• iOS: Search "DigiLocker" on the Apple App Store

App Features

• Fetch and view all issued documents
• Upload documents using phone camera
• Quick access to driving license and vehicle RC (handy during traffic stops)
• Biometric or PIN-based login
• Share documents directly from the app
• Works offline for previously loaded documents

Tip: Keep the app updated. Government departments frequently add new document types.

ABC — Academic Bank of Credits

Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) is integrated with DigiLocker. It stores your academic credits from all recognised universities in one place.

How to Access ABC via DigiLocker

1. Log in to DigiLocker
2. Search for "Academic Bank of Credits" in the issued documents section
3. Or visit https://abc.gov.in and link your DigiLocker account
4. Your academic credits from participating universities will appear

Who Should Use ABC?

• Students who have studied at multiple universities
• Anyone who wants a consolidated academic record
• Useful for credit transfers between institutions

DigiLocker for Organisations

Organisations can also use DigiLocker to:

• Issue documents digitally to citizens (e.g., universities issuing degree certificates)
• Verify documents submitted by applicants (via DigiLocker APIs)
• Accept DigiLocker as a KYC/document verification method

Organisations can register as issuers or requesters on the DigiLocker platform through the official portal.

Common Issues & Solutions

1. OTP Not Received

• Make sure your mobile number is linked to Aadhaar
• Wait 2–3 minutes and try again
• Check if your phone has network/signal issues
• Try the "Resend OTP" option

2. Document Not Found When Fetching

• Double-check the document number and details you entered
• The issuing department may not have uploaded it yet
• Try after a few days — new documents take time to reflect

3. Aadhaar Not Linking

• Your Aadhaar-linked mobile number must be active
• If you changed your number, update it at an Aadhaar Seva Kendra first

4. App Crashing or Not Loading

• Update to the latest version of the app
• Clear app cache (Settings → Apps → DigiLocker → Clear Cache)
• Restart your phone and try again

5. Driving License Not Showing

• Make sure your state transport department has digitised your license
• Try fetching using your DL number and date of birth
• Some older licenses may not be available yet

6. Storage Full

• You have 1 GB for uploaded documents
• Delete old uploaded documents you no longer need
• Fetched/issued documents don't count towards storage

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Is DigiLocker free?

Yes. DigiLocker is completely free for all Indian citizens. There are no charges for creating an account, fetching documents, or storage.

Q2: Can I use DigiLocker without Aadhaar?

Currently, Aadhaar is required to create a DigiLocker account. Your mobile number must be linked to your Aadhaar.

Q3: Is DigiLocker driving license accepted by traffic police?

Yes. As per MoRTH (Ministry of Road Transport and Highways) guidelines, driving license and vehicle RC on DigiLocker are valid during traffic checks. Police must accept them.

Q4: Can I access DigiLocker offline?

The mobile app caches previously viewed documents, so you can show them offline. However, you need internet to fetch new documents or log in for the first time.

Q5: What if I lose my phone? Are my documents safe?

Yes. Your documents are stored on government servers, not on your phone. Simply log in from another device using your username and password.

Q6: How is DigiLocker different from mParivahan?

mParivahan only shows transport documents (DL, RC). DigiLocker is a comprehensive platform for all types of government documents — education, health, identity, transport, and more.

Q7: Can NRIs use DigiLocker?

Yes, as long as they have an Indian Aadhaar number with an active linked mobile number.

Summary

DigiLocker is one of the most useful government digital services in India. Here's a quick recap:

Start using DigiLocker today — it takes less than 5 minutes to set up, and you'll never need to hunt for a photocopy again.