Manage Digital Document with DigiLocker

What Is DigiLocker and How to Use It in India?

A simple guide to DigiLocker, how to use it, and how it helps store and share documents securely for KYC, tax, and insurance.

 

Written by : Knowledge Centre Team

2026-01-14

2366 Views

10 minutes read

Exit Pop Up

Live Life More Confidently

Get best insurance from our experts

Name is required Name should be Valid
Mobile Number is required Mobile Number should be Valid
DOB is required DOB should be Valid
Annual Income is required
Please tick to proceed further.

Thank you for your interest in our product. Our financial expert will connect with you shortly to help you choose the best plan.

As the world gradually moves towards a digital, paperless platform, the Government of India has launched a key initiative, DigiLocker, aimed at paperless governance.

As the name suggests, DigiLocker is a digital locker for storing your important documents. It lowers the risk of loss or damage to the vital documents, such as your driving license and educational certificates.

Let us delve deeper into the functionality of DigiLocker to have a clear understanding of how it works and benefits the users.

Key Takeaways

  • DigiLocker provides a cloud-based platform to securely store and access essential documents anytime, anywhere

  • It promotes digitalisation and has reduced administrative overhead significantly

  • Documents stored in DigiLocker are verified by government authorities, ensuring authenticity and reducing fraud risks

  • Insurance policies can be stored digitally, streamlining claims processing and reducing paperwork hassle

  • DigiLocker helps the environment while making document management effortless

What is DigiLocker?

DigiLocker is a cloud-based document storage and issuance system initiated by the Government of India under the Digital India initiative. It eliminates the need for physical documents as you can store and access all your important documents on the DigiLocker mobile app. The e-copies of the documents will be considered valid on par with the original documents. Organisations registered with DigiLocker or government authorities can access the scanned copies of the documents for verification. Store your Voter ID, Aadhar Card, PAN Card, educational certificates, and life insurance policy documents safely.

Worried About Emergencies? Start Planning Now

Please enter correct name Please enter the Full name
Please enter valid mobile number Please enter Mobile Number
Please enter valid email Please enter Email
Consent is required

Enter OTP

An OTP has been sent to your mobile number

Didn’t receive OTP?

Application Status

Name

Date of Birth

Plan Name

Status

Unclaimed Amount of the Policyholder as on

Name of the policy holder

Policy Holder Name

Policy No.

Policy Number

Address of the Policyholder as per records

Address

Unclaimed Amount

Unclaimed Amount
Error

Sorry ! No records Found

.  Please use this ID for all future communications regarding this concern.

Request Registered

Thank You for submitting the response, will get back with you.

How Does Digilocker Work?

Citizens can scan and store the documents digitally. Each citizen will be given 1 GB (gigabyte) of cloud storage. You can also store signed copies of the documents using the eSign facility. Signing up for DigiLocker is easy and straightforward. Download the app on your mobile phone. Your mobile number or Aadhaar number will be authenticated by an OTP that you will receive. You will be required to set your PIN for security purposes. Once the sign-up is completed, you can get the documents from the issuers or simply store them in your digital locker.

Benefits of DigiLocker

The initiative aims to develop paperless governance. DigiLocker offers the following benefits to the users:

  • Users can access their documents anytime, anywhere, and share them within seconds. This will save a lot of time and effort

  • It also cuts down the administrative overhead of government departments by reducing the use of paper

  • As the documents are directly issued by the registered issuers, the process of validating the authenticity of the documents becomes easier

  • It is environment-friendly, as users do not have to print copies for verification of their documents

  • Due to the digitalisation of documents, the probability of financial fraud will also be low, as the documents will be stored securely

How will DigiLocker be Beneficial for Insurance Policyholders?

The National Insurance Repository (NIR) offers a platform to the policyholders to store all their insurance policies in digital format in a single e-insurance account (eIA). However, it doesn’t allow the storage of other essential documents. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has announced that life insurance companies will be issuing the insurance documents via DigiLocker.

DigiLocker eliminates the problem of loss or misplacement of insurance documents by being a one-stop solution for comprehensive document storage. All your documents will be in one place, making it easier for you to access them without much of a hassle. Policyholders can submit their KYC documents in digital format now. Storing the physical copies of long-term insurance policies over time is challenging; this new initiative will resolve the issue of document misplacement.

A few other benefits of DigiLocker to policyholders are:

  • Customers can expect a quick turnaround time for insurance services

  • Reduction in fraud as the document can be accessed by authorities registered with DigiLocker

  • The time taken for claims processing and settlement will be considerably lower

The pandemic has changed the fundamental way people used to live and work. It is quite evident that the use of digital technologies has increased significantly during the period of this health crisis. DigiLocker will help all the citizens in keeping their necessary documents at one place and get it verified online. Moreover, it is completely safe to store the documents in the DigiLocker mobile app.

trivia-img

Did You Know?

DigiLocker is recognised under the IT Act, 2000, which means digitally stored documents are legally valid across government departments.


Source: Digilocker

Young Term Plan

How to Open a DigiLocker Account?

Opening a DigiLocker account is a straightforward process that allows you to securely store and access your documents anytime, anywhere. The following are the steps that you must consider to get started with the process:

  1. Visit the DigiLocker Official Website or Download the App: The first thing you must do is understand what DigiLocker is and its use. Then, either visit the official DigiLocker website or download the mobile application from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. The mobile app offers you a more convenient way of accessing your documents on the go.

  2. Sign up Using Your Aadhaar or Mobile Number: Once you are ready to set up your account, the following are the two options to sign up for DigiLocker:

    • Using Aadhaar Number: If you choose this option, DigiLocker will verify your Aadhaar-linked mobile number through an OTP (One-Time Password).
    • Using the Mobile Number: If you do not want to use Aadhaar, you can register with any mobile number that you are using. The condition is that the number must be linked to your identity documents for authentication purposes.

      Once you receive the OTP, enter it to complete the verification process.
  3. Set a Security PIN for Future Logins: After successful verification, you will be prompted to create a six-digit security PIN. This PIN is essential for securing your account and will be required every time you log in. Ensure that you choose a strong PIN and do not share it with anyone.
  4. Link Your Documents to DigiLocker: One of the most important features of DigiLocker is its ability to fetch documents directly from various government departments and registered issuers. After signing up, you can:

    • Access Officially Issued Documents: You can retrieve your Aadhaar card, PAN card, driving licence, educational certificates, vehicle registration documents, and life insurance policies from the respective authorities
    • Fetch Insurance Policies: If your insurance provider is integrated with DigiLocker, your policies can be directly linked, making it easier for verification and claims processing
  5. Upload and Store Personal Documents: Apart from government-issued documents, DigiLocker allows you to upload scanned copies of personal documents, such as:

    • Birth certificates
    • Property deeds
    • Medical records
    • Financial documents
    • Educational certificates

In addition, you can eSign these documents to make them legally valid, eliminating the need for physical signatures.

DigiLocker enables you to share your stored documents with government agencies, financial institutions, and employers in a secure manner. You can generate a document link or QR code that allows quick and tamper-proof verification.

Conclusion

DigiLocker is a significant step towards paperless governance in India, simplifying the way individuals store, access, and share important documents. By having a clear picture of how to use DigiLocker and leverage its benefits, you can eliminate the risk of losing or damaging documents while streamlining official processes.

For many policyholders, DigiLocker is especially beneficial, as it allows for secure digital storage of insurance policies. While reducing the dependency on physical copies, it ensures that you experience smooth claims processing. With features like eSign, Aadhaar-based verification, and secure cloud storage, it enhances convenience and security.

If you haven’t yet created a DigiLocker account, now is the perfect time to go digital and stay organised!

Glossary

  1. eSign Facility: DigiLocker feature enabling users to digitally sign documents, making them legally valid without physical signatures
  2. QR Code Sharing: A secure method in DigiLocker that allows users to share verified documents via QR codes for quick validation
  3. e-Insurance Account (eIA): Digitalised a/c for policyholders to store and manage their insurance documents electronically
  4. OTP (One-Time Password): A temporary password sent to a registered mobile number to authenticate user identity for secure login
  5. Cloud Storage: An online system for saving, accessing, and retrieving data, reducing the need for physical copies
glossary-img
Uncertain About Insurance?

FAQs

You can sign up using your Aadhaar-linked mobile number or any mobile number, followed by OTP verification and security PIN setup.

Yes, e-copies of documents stored in DigiLocker are considered legally valid under the IT Act, making them equivalent to physical copies.

Yes, apart from government-issued documents, you can upload and store scanned copies of birth certificates, property deeds, and medical records.

Since documents in DigiLocker are verified and directly issued by government authorities, the chances of fraud and forgery are comparatively less.

You can store Aadhaar card, PAN card, driving licence, voter ID, insurance policies, educational certificates, and more in DigiLocker.

Download the DigiLocker app from Google Play or App Store, sign up using your Aadhaar or mobile number with OTP verification, create a 6-digit security PIN, then fetch government documents or upload scans.

Users store scanned documents in 1GB free cloud space or pull verified digital copies from issuers via URIs. Access occurs through app/website login with PIN, enabling instant sharing via secure links or QR codes.

DigiLocker serves as a digital locker, a secure government cloud platform for storing, accessing, and verifying official documents like Aadhaar, licenses, and insurance policies to enable paperless governance.

The three main uses of DigiLocker are:

  • Secure document storage-: It allows users to store important documents such as driving licences, Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, and educational certificates in a digital format.

  • Easy access and retrieval: Documents stored in DigiLocker can be accessed anytime, anywhere, eliminating the need to carry physical copies.

  • Digital sharing and verification: Users can directly share verified documents with government departments, educational institutions, and other organisations, reducing paperwork and the risk of document loss or forgery.

Disclaimer - This article is issued in the general public interest and meant for general information purposes only. The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Canara HSBC Life Insurance Company Limited or any affiliated entity. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the blog or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained in the blog for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. You should consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific circumstances before taking any action based on the content provided herein.

Recent Blogs

Types of Financial Planning: Key Strategies for a Secure Future
18 Feb '26
902 Views
Different types of financial planning guide your decisions at every life stage. Plan wisely from your first paycheck to retirement with Canara HSBC Life Insurance.
Read More
Financial Planning
Difference Between Financial Year (FY) vs. Assessment Year (AY)
16 Feb '26
1196 Views
7 minute read
Find out what is Assessment Year (AY) & Financial Year (FY). Visit this section and understand the difference between Financial Year and Assessment Year.
Read More
Financial Planning
Tips to Keep Financial Records Organized Effectively
12 Feb '26
619 Views
5 minute read
Learn how to sort, store, and manage your financial records with ease. Improve control and reduce financial stress.
Read More
Financial Planning
Financial Instrument: Meaning, Types and Importance
10 Feb '26
2685 Views
8 minute read
Financial instruments are essential to build and boost your wealth. Know the types of financial instruments available in India. Explore more about the tax benefits of financial instruments.
Read More
Financial Planning
Is SIP Tax Free? How to Start SIP To Save Tax on Your Income?
09 Feb '26
4421 Views
10 minute read
SIPs are one of the best tax-saving investments. Learn if SIP is tax-free under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act to plan your finances.
Read More
Financial Planning
Purpose of Financial Planning and Control in Money Management
16 Jan '26
3890 Views
10 minute read
An explanation of financial planning and control, focusing on budgeting, monitoring expenses, managing resources, and supporting long-term financial stability.
Read More
Financial Planning
PPF Account Basics: 7 Questions to Consider Before Opening
07 Jan '26
906 Views
6 minute read
Seven important questions to consider before opening a PPF account, covering eligibility, lock-in period, returns, and withdrawal conditions.
Read More
Financial Planning
Why Does Liquidity Matter in Financial Planning?
02 Jan '26
1052 Views
8 minute read
Learn what liquidity means in financial planning, why easy access to funds is important, and how liquidity helps manage emergencies and short-term needs.
Read More
Financial Planning
What Is the Right Way to Start Investing in Your 20s?
28 Dec '25
1081 Views
10 minute read
Learn how to invest in your 20s by balancing risk, building good habits early, choosing the right assets and setting the foundation for long-term wealth.
Read More
Financial Planning

Financial Planning - Top Selling Plans

We bring you a collection of popular Canara HSBC life insurance plans. Forget the dusty brochures and endless offline visits! Dive into the features of our top-selling online insurance plans and buy the one that meets your goals and requirements. You and your wallet will be thankful in the future as we brighten up your financial future with these plans.

Fixed Returns, Zero Risks & Worries

iSelect Guaranteed Future Plus
  • 4 Plan options
  • Life cover + Guaranteed benefits
  • Accidental death benefit
  • Premium protection cover

Save, Dream, Plan. Live Peacefully

iSelect Guaranteed Future
  • 5 Plan options
  • Option to choose PPT
  • Get Tax benefits
  • Premium protection cover