DigiLocker is a document storage application launched by the government of India. It stores important documents such as Aadhar card, Pan card, marksheet, etc and gives you access to the same 24 x 7.
To see the dashboard of DigiLocker, you will have to sign in with your Aadhar card. When you enter the Aadhar card number in the login form and click the submit button, an OTP will be sent to your Aadhar registered number. You must enter the same in the form. Once the OTP is matched, you will be asked to set a six-digit security PIN so that you can access the DigiLocker dashboard without entering the OTP.
Should you create a DigiLocker account? Is there any disadvantage of this service? Below I’ve shared the major advantages and disadvantages of the same:
Advantages
No need to carry original documents: If your DigiLocker is active and your Aadhar phone number is the same as the number linked with the Aadhar card, you don’t have to take the physical documents everywhere you go.
Has an API: Because of the API, third-party websites can easily fetch your Aadhar, PAN data from the API and fill out the form with the same. Thus, you don’t have to manually enter the same. For example, a portal of fintech company may ask you to allow it to access the documents stored in the DigiLocker. Once you grant this permission to the portal, it will be able to read files.
Better than remembering and storing: It is difficult to remember certain details. For example, we may not know the date on which the driving license was issued. Likewise, if the license or a card is damaged, and you don’t remember the number and dates printed on it, you will have to go through a lot of pain to get a new one. You can easily get a new license if you know the number. The DigiLocker comes in handy in this case.
Safe: People link their Aadhar card with the number they use daily to make or receive calls. As your phone is always with you, no one would be able to access your documents withough entering the PIN you’ve set or the OTP sent to your number.
Disadvantages
API: Third-party applications may access files that shouldn’t. This may happen when you allow them to access files stored in the DL via API.
Another disadvantage of DigiLocker I think is that it still lacks many important documents which are closely or loosely related to the Aadhar, PAN card, etc. For example, property registration documents aren’t available in DigiLocker yet. MeitY, the agency behind this application, may add the missing files in the future.
