DigiLocker is one of the key digital initiatives launched by the Government of India under the Digital India programme. It provides citizens with a secure cloud-based platform to store, share, and verify important documents and certificates in digital format. Instead of carrying physical copies of your driving licence, Aadhaar card, or educational certificates, you can now access them anytime on your phone. With more institutions and government departments accepting DigiLocker documents as legally valid, it is becoming an essential tool for everyday life.
The first step in using DigiLocker is creating an account. Anyone with an Aadhaar number and a registered mobile number can sign up. Visit the DigiLocker website or download the DigiLocker app from Google Play Store or Apple App Store. You can sign up using your Aadhaar number and verify with the one-time password (OTP) sent to your registered mobile. Once registered, your DigiLocker account provides you with dedicated cloud storage space that is linked to your Aadhaar.
Inside DigiLocker, documents are organized into two sections. The first is the “Issued Documents” section, where you can fetch documents directly from issuers such as the Ministry of Road Transport, CBSE, UIDAI, or state governments. These documents are pulled from official databases, ensuring authenticity. For example, you can fetch your driving licence or vehicle registration certificate issued by the transport department, or your CBSE mark sheets if you appeared for board exams. The second is the “Uploaded Documents” section, where you can upload scanned copies or PDFs of any other personal documents you want to keep safe, such as utility bills, ID proofs, or agreements.
One of the biggest advantages of DigiLocker is that the documents fetched from official sources are considered at par with original physical documents under the Information Technology Act, 2000. This means you can show your driving licence on DigiLocker when asked by traffic police, and it is treated as valid proof. Similarly, educational institutions, banks, and government departments increasingly accept DigiLocker copies during verification processes.
The app also allows you to share documents electronically. For example, if a university asks for your mark sheet, you can share it directly from DigiLocker, and the recipient can verify its authenticity without needing a physical copy. Each document comes with a unique URI (Uniform Resource Identifier), which makes verification easy and eliminates the risk of tampering.
For security, DigiLocker uses Aadhaar-based authentication, encryption, and secure cloud storage. However, it is important to set a strong password, enable two-factor authentication if available, and avoid sharing your login credentials. If your mobile number linked to Aadhaar changes, you should update it immediately to ensure uninterrupted access.
DigiLocker is gradually expanding its partnerships. Today, it covers driving licences, PAN cards, voter IDs, vehicle registrations, academic certificates, insurance policies, and even health records in some states. The National Academic Depository (NAD) is also integrated with DigiLocker, allowing students to access their digital academic records issued directly by universities and boards.
For beginners, using DigiLocker may feel like a shift from traditional paperwork to digital storage, but the advantages are clear. It reduces dependency on physical files, ensures quick access, and provides a safe, government-verified way to manage documents. As more institutions come on board, DigiLocker is set to become a single point of access for most essential documents in India.
By adopting DigiLocker, individuals not only save time and effort but also contribute to India’s journey towards a paperless governance ecosystem. For students, professionals, and families alike, learning to use DigiLocker effectively is an investment in convenience and security that pays off in daily life.