# DigiLocker guide: Aadhaar, PAN, DL and marksheets on your phone

> DigiLocker stores government-issued documents on your phone, legally valid like originals. Sign up with Aadhaar, fetch issued documents, share safely and fix errors.

- URL: https://2search.in/knowledge/articles/oct-26/digilocker-guide
- Genre: Government services
- Country: India
- Published: 2026-10-27
- Updated: 2026-10-27
- Publisher: 2search (https://2search.in)

> **Quick answer:** **DigiLocker** (digilocker.gov.in or the DigiLocker app) is the government's free document wallet. Sign up with your **mobile and Aadhaar**, then use **Search Documents** to pull **issued documents** — Aadhaar, PAN, driving licence, vehicle RC, CBSE and many state board marksheets, insurance policies and more — directly from the department that issued them. Issued documents in DigiLocker are **legally treated like originals** under the IT Act rules.

> **Key takeaways**
> - It's **free** and run by the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY).
> - **Issued documents** (pulled from the source) are legally valid. **Uploaded scans** are just your own copies.
> - You get **1 GB** to upload other documents, up to **10 MB** per file.
> - Over **43 crore** people use DigiLocker, and it has delivered more than **900 crore** documents.
> - Traffic police and many offices **must accept** a DL or RC shown in DigiLocker or mParivahan.

Ever reached an office and realised you left a document at home? DigiLocker solves that. This guide shows how to set it up, which documents you can fetch, how to share them safely, and how to fix the common "document not found" problems.



![DigiLocker guide: Aadhaar, PAN, DL and marksheets on your phone Breakdown & Visual Guide](/images/articles/digilocker-guide/diagram.svg)

## What DigiLocker is (and what it isn't)

DigiLocker has two kinds of documents:

| Type | What it is | Legally valid? |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Issued documents** | Fetched directly from the issuer's database (UIDAI, Income Tax, transport department, CBSE, etc.) with a digital signature | **Yes** — at par with originals |
| **Uploaded documents** | Scans or photos you upload yourself | No — just a personal backup |

So the real power of DigiLocker is in **issued documents**. Under the IT (Preservation and Retention of Information by Intermediaries Providing Digital Locker Facilities) Rules, 2016, and 2017 amendments, these are treated as equivalent to physical documents.

## How to set up DigiLocker

1. Download the **DigiLocker app** (by "National e-Governance Division") from Google Play or the App Store — or open **digilocker.gov.in**.
2. Tap **Sign up**. Enter your **name as on Aadhaar**, date of birth, gender and **mobile number**.
3. Set a **6-digit security PIN** and verify the OTP.
4. Enter your **Aadhaar number** and verify with the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile.
5. Your **Aadhaar** appears in "Issued documents" automatically.

> **Tip:** If your mobile isn't linked to Aadhaar, you can still create an account, but fetching many documents needs Aadhaar verification. Link your mobile at an Aadhaar centre first.

## How to fetch your documents

1. Open the app and tap **Search** (or "Search Documents").
2. Type the document or issuer — for example "Driving Licence", "PAN", "CBSE", "Vehicle Registration".
3. Select the issuer (for example your state's transport department).
4. Enter the details asked — DL number, registration number, roll number and year, policy number, etc.
5. Tap **Get Document**. It appears under **Issued**.

## Documents you can get

| Category | Examples |
| --- | --- |
| **Identity** | Aadhaar, PAN (verification record), voter ID (e-EPIC) |
| **Transport** | Driving licence, vehicle registration certificate (RC) |
| **Education** | CBSE, ICSE and many state board marksheets and certificates; many university degrees via the **National Academic Depository (NAD)** / APAAR |
| **Insurance** | Life, health and motor policies from many insurers |
| **Government services** | Ration card (in many states), caste, income and domicile certificates (state-dependent), PM-JAY cards in some states |
| **Others** | Ayushman Bharat, skill certificates, some property records depending on the state |

The list keeps growing — over a thousand issuing agencies are connected.

## Is DigiLocker valid at traffic checks, banks and offices?

- **Traffic police:** The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has told states to accept **DL and RC** in **DigiLocker or mParivahan** as valid. You can't be fined just for not having the physical card.
- **Banks and KYC:** Many banks and brokers accept **DigiLocker Aadhaar and PAN** for KYC through DigiLocker sharing.
- **Railways and airports:** Aadhaar in DigiLocker is accepted as ID at many places; Airport entry also works with **DigiYatra** (a separate app).
- **Colleges and jobs:** Many accept marksheets and degrees through DigiLocker or NAD.

> **Warning:** A **screenshot** or **uploaded scan** is not the same as an issued document. Always show the document from the **Issued** section inside the app.

## How to share documents safely

- Use **Share** inside the app to send a **time-limited link** instead of a PDF.
- Many organisations request documents through DigiLocker **with your consent** — you'll see a request and can approve or reject it.
- Check **Activity** in settings to see who accessed what.

## Uploading your own documents

You also get **1 GB** of storage for documents that aren't available as issued documents — rent agreements, old certificates, property papers.

- Supported formats: **PDF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, BMP, GIF**
- File size: up to **10 MB** each
- You can **self-attest** uploaded documents with an eSign, but most offices still prefer originals for these.

## Security tips

- Set a strong **PIN** and enable fingerprint/face lock in the app.
- Never share your **DigiLocker OTP** with anyone.
- Download only the official app — check the developer name.
- If you lose your phone, log in on another device and **change your PIN**; also sign out of other sessions.

## Common problems and fixes

| Problem | Fix |
| --- | --- |
| "Document not found" | Details must match the issuer's record exactly — check DL number format, roll number and year |
| Name mismatch | Your DigiLocker name comes from Aadhaar; small differences can block fetching. Correct Aadhaar or the source document |
| Marksheet not available | Your board or university may not be connected for that year — check the issuer list |
| OTP not coming | Aadhaar mobile must be active; try again later |
| Forgot PIN | Use **Forgot security PIN** with your mobile OTP and Aadhaar |

## DigiLocker vs mParivahan vs UMANG

| App | Best for |
| --- | --- |
| **DigiLocker** | All your issued documents in one place |
| **mParivahan** | DL and RC, challan checking, vehicle details |
| **UMANG** | Using government services (EPFO, pension, gas booking) — not storing documents |

You can use all three; they're all official.

## Frequently asked questions

### Is DigiLocker legally valid?

Yes. Issued documents in DigiLocker are treated at par with original physical documents under the IT Act rules.

### Is DigiLocker free?

Yes, completely free for citizens.

### Can I use DigiLocker without Aadhaar?

You can sign up with a mobile number, but most issued documents need Aadhaar verification.

### Is a DigiLocker driving licence valid during a traffic check?

Yes. MoRTH has directed that DL and RC in DigiLocker or mParivahan be accepted. See [how to apply for a driving licence](/apply-driving-licence-online-india).

### How do I download Aadhaar from DigiLocker?

Open Issued Documents → Aadhaar → Download. The file is digitally signed.

### Can someone else access my DigiLocker?

Only if they have your mobile, PIN and OTP. Keep them private and check the activity log.

### What is the storage limit?

1 GB for uploaded documents, with a maximum of 10 MB per file. Issued documents don't count against it.

## Sources

- [DigiLocker — official site](https://www.digilocker.gov.in/)
- [Wikipedia — DigiLocker (usage and legal status)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DigiLocker)
- [India Infra Hub — DigiLocker crosses 10 crore users and 1,800+ issuers](https://indiainfrahub.com/news/digilocker-with-over-10-crore-unique-users-1819-issuing-agencies-and-nearly-5-billion-document-uploads-government-platform-for-paperless-service-grows-rapidly/)
- [Outlook Business — What is DigiLocker and how to open it](https://www.outlookbusiness.com/economy-and-policy/what-is-a-digilocker-how-to-open-it-and-what-are-the-benefits--news-296570)
- [Parivahan Sewa — mParivahan and Sarathi](https://parivahan.gov.in/)