What is DigiLocker and how can it make your life easier? Here’s a guide on the digital locker service by the Government of India.
With so many identification cards needed for various purposes these days, it’s no wonder why our wallets keep getting thicker. Add to that the possibility of police asking for your insurance papers and vehicle registration certificate any moment you are on the road and you are also forced to carry with you a complete folder.
But imagine a world where you don’t have to carry all of these – no more hassle of scanning and printing to verify your identity. DigiLocker makes that possible. This digital locker service, launched by the Government of India, allows you to store and access all your essential documents online, anytime, anywhere. In this article, we will tell you what DigiLocker is, how it works, and why you should use it.
DigiLocker is a digital platform, available as an app on iOS and Android, that lets you securely access your documents and certificates on a public cloud. It was launched by the Indian Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) under its Digital India initiative back in 2015. With DigiLocker, you can say goodbye to paper clutter and verify your documents online in a snap. It makes life easier for you and the government departments you deal with.
As of December 2019, over 3.3 crore users are registered on the platform and 43 organisations are accepting documents from DigiLocker.
Can you use DigiLocker to show documents to authorities?
According to the Information Technology Act, 2000, which is the primary law in India for matters related to cybercrime and e-commerce, these digital documents are legally valid documents. Moreover, as per Rule 9 A of “The Information Technology (Preservation and Retention of Information by Intermediaries Providing Digital Locker Facilities) Rules, 2016”, these documents are equivalent to original physical documents when accessed via DigiLocker.
So, yes, you can show your driving license or any other required documents in digital form through this app on being asked by the traffic police or any other authorities.
Why should you use DigiLocker?
DigiLocker offers each user 1GB of cloud storage. (Image: Google Play)
With DigiLocker, you can get documents issued directly by registered issuers such as CBSE, the Income Tax department, Registrar’s Office, etc. You can also upload your own documents and e-sign them using the facility provided. You can share your documents online with authorized organizations and reduce the hassle of carrying physical copies. DigiLocker also helps you save costs, time and paper involved with document verification and delivery, while reducing the risk of loss, damage or fraud involving forged documents.
How safe is DigiLocker?
DigiLocker is considered safe to use thanks to its real-time verification system and its secure gateway for document sharing. The app encrypts the information you provide to issue documents with 256-bit SSL certificates. It also complies with ISO 27001 standards to protect your personal information.
What’s the capacity of DigiLocker?
DigiLocker offers each user 1GB of cloud storage, with a maximum size of 10MB per file. That translates to scores of documents. The platform has gained popularity over the years, as evidenced by its official website, which claims to have 92.28 million registered users and 4.75 billion documents stored.
How to get started with DigiLocker?
Getting started with DigiLocker is simple if you have an Aadhaar card. To apply for a DigiLocker wallet, you need your mobile number and Aadhaar number. You can sign up on the website http://www.digilocker.gov.in or download the app for Android/iOS devices. If your mobile number is not linked to your Aadhaar, you can update it at the nearest Aadhaar enrollment centre.
Once you enter your details, you will have to set up a security pin and an email ID. Then, you will have to choose a username and password to complete the process.
How to set up DigiLocker?
1. Go to Google Play Store or App Store on your Android or iOS device and search for DigiLocker to download it.
2. Open the app and select your preferred language from the list. Tap on Proceed to continue.
3. On the next screen, you will see an introduction to DigiLocker and its features. Scroll down and tap on the Get Started button at the bottom.
4. You will be asked to create an account using your Aadhaar number. Enter your Aadhaar number, name, date of birth, mobile number and email ID in the respective fields and tap on Submit.
5. You will have to set a 6-digit security PIN to secure your digital wallet. This PIN will be required every time you open the app or access your documents. Enter a PIN of your choice and confirm it by entering it again. Tap on Submit.
6. You will receive an OTP on your registered mobile number and email ID. Enter the OTP in the app to verify your sign-in process.
Congratulations, you have successfully created your DigiLocker account. You will be taken to your dashboard next where you will see plugins for each document you can link to your account. For instance, there are the income tax plugins for PAN, CISCE plugins for ICSE and ISC marksheets, and more. You can even upload random documents to the cloud so that you don’t lose them. Additionally, you can digitally sign uploaded documents using the e-sign facility and share them with registered users and organisations through the app.
Source:indianexpress.com