DigiLocker: How to store government documents on India's 'digital locker'
What's the story
We all know the importance of government-issued documents like Aadhaar, PAN, Driving License etc. They can be needed anywhere and anytime, but mostly, people leave these IDs home for the purpose of safety. Now, thanks to the Government of India, there's another way to carry these documents without compromising on security - DigiLocker. Here's how it works.
DigiLocker details
What is DigiLocker?
DigiLocker is a cloud-based app, authorized by the government of India for storing official documents. It lets you upload documents like on Google Drive, but also carries the option to download digital document copies directly from the concerned government department. Meaning, you can use it to pull all government-issued IDs, including your Aadhaar, PAN, Driving License, Voter ID, and Class X, XII mark sheets.
First launch
First, signup with Aadhaar-linked number
To start using DigiLocker, download the app from Google Play Store or Apple's App Store and sign up with the mobile number integrated with your Aadhaar. Following OTP verification, your DigiLocker account will be created, taking you to the home page or 'Dashboard' of the app. Notably, along with the Dashboard, you'll see two more sections named 'Issued' and 'Uploaded' on the main page.
Syncing documents
Using DigiLocker, syncing documents
After prepping the app, swipe right to switch to the 'Issued' tab. From there, tap on the search icon on the bottom right corner and select the department you want to download your document from. For instance, in order to pull your Driving License, you'll have to head over to the "Ministry of Road Transport and Highways" option and enter your DL number.
Information
Clicking on 'Get Document' will sync it with your account
After entering number, all you have to do is hit the "Get Document" button to sync it with the app. The process takes a few seconds and your document would be available for access right away. Similar steps can be repeated for any other document.
Upload option
If direct issue not available, go for upload
If any particular document is not available for direct syncing, you can always go for the conventional upload option. Just swipe right to switch to the 'Uploaded' section and hit the upload icon given on the top to select and upload the photo or PDF of the document in question. Within seconds, it will be synced with your DigiLocker account and stay there forever.