Top 10 Documents That Every Indian Citizen Must Have!

Documents are one of the most important parts of every individual’s life as they help us in proving our identity and citizenship, and also allow us to apply for various government schemes and services. Hence, every citizen of any nation must possess some of the most significant documents to function optimally in and out of the country.

Indian government documents list isn’t merely a formality but evidence of people’s personal information that they can use for various purposes and functions. People who don’t have proper documentation are vulnerable to facing a range of issues and problems. Therefore, it is important to maintain all the documents every 18-year-old should have in India.

Read the article to learn more about the important documents to have in India, including information on documents every 18-year-old should have in India.

Top 10 Documents To Have In India

The list of documents to have in India is laid down below in detailed points so that people can stay educated and aware about the major documents they should possess.

1. Aadhaar Card

Aadhaar card is a form of proof of identity that is issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). It comprises a 12-digit unique identification number which is linked to a person’s biometric data, like iris scans and fingerprints, and demographic data like name, Date of Birth (DOB), and address.

Aadhaar Card is one of the most widely used and accepted forms of proving one’s identity for various purposes, such as applying for government schemes and services, and opening accounts in institutions like banks. Every Indian citizen should and must have this document.

2. PAN Card

The Permanent Account Number (PAN) card is a part of the Indian government documents list. It is issued by the Income Tax Department of India, particularly to account for financial-related activities of an individual. A PAN card contains a 10-digit alphanumeric identifier that carries all the major details of the cardholder.

This card can be used as proof of identity; however, its primary objective is to help the individual conduct various finance-related activities like income tax filing, opening of bank accounts, property-related transactions, and investments in shares or other funds.

3. Voter ID Card

One of the documents to have in India PDF is the Voter ID card, also known as the Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC). It is issued by the Election Commission of India to the citizens of India who are above the age of 18 years.

The primary purpose of the card is to allow citizens to vote for their chosen political leaders and political parties during the time of elections. A Voter ID card can also be used by an individual as proof of identity or proof of address, as and when required. The card can also be used to avail of a range of services like bank account opening, government schemes, etc.

4. Passport

A passport is one of the most crucial documents when it comes to travelling beyond the boundaries of India. It is issued by the Ministry of External Affairs and serves as proof of one’s citizenship. Passports can also be used as proof of identity or address proof documents in India. Apart from being crucial for travelling purposes, it can also be used in the education sector or tourism.

Read More: Documents Required For International Travel

5. Driving License

One of the crucial documents to have in India for students is a Driving License. This particular document is issued by the Regional Transport Office (RTO), which legally allows and authorises citizens to drive on the roads of India. The card is proof that the individual has gone through proper tests and has passed them successfully, which makes them a competent driver. The card contains the driver’s name, photograph, date of birth, and address.

Apart from being related to driving, a driver's license is also widely accepted as proof of identity in various settings, like hotels, airports, and other government or private settings.

6. Birth Certificate

One of the first and foremost documents to have in India PDF is the birth certificate. A birth certificate, as the name suggests, is issued when an infant is born by the local municipal bodies or the gram panchayat. It is the first legal proof of a person’s existence and nationality, which comprises several important details like date of birth and birthplace.

Every citizen must have their own birth certificate as it is mandatory to submit in various places like schools and during applying for other documents like a passport. Other than being a measure of proving one’s identity, it also aids the authorities in determining one’s age for legal purposes, like marriage, employment, voting, etc.

Read More: How To Obtain Your Birth Certificate

7. Income Certificate

An income certificate is issued by one’s state government authorities, like the Tehsildar or the District Magistrate. It is a certificate or a declaration that states the annual income earned by an individual from all sources.

This particular certificate is extremely important for people from low-income backgrounds, as through this, they can apply for various government-granted subsidies and concessions, usually distributed through the Direct-Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism. It also decides an individual’s eligibility for certain schemes launched by the central or state government.

8. Ration Card

A ration card is one of the most important documents for families belonging to the economically weaker sections of society. It is issued by the Food and Civil Supplies Department. The primary aim behind the existence of the card is to allow people from low-income backgrounds to purchase essential food grains and commodities at subsidised prices from the Ration shops, which come under the Public Distribution System (PDS).

9. Domicile Certificate

A domicile certificate is the primary address proof document in India, issued by the local state or Union Territory departments. A domicile certificate is a document that proves the permanent residency of an individual in the state. One can use it to avail of innumerable benefits given by the state government, especially for its residents across sectors like education, employment, housing, and medical schemes etc.

10. Property-related Documents

Property-related documents like sale deeds, property tax receipts, land records, and others are extremely significant for proving one’s ownership rights to the property in question. These documents are to be kept safely alongside others to protect one’s legal rights and ownership of a piece of property and to avoid any legal battles and disputes.

Property-related documents are also crucial when an individual decides to sell their property or transfer ownership, or to deposit it as a mortgage for applying for loans or clearances.

Conclusion

Proper documentation is one of the most important components of not only an individual’s life but the government of India’s as well. The top 10 documents to have in India, ranging from birth certificates to property-related documents, are designed to keep order in the nation, and hence, they are all separated based on their respective purpose and use.

All the essential documents allow the people of India to avail government and private-run services with transparency and accountability. We request all of you to have all these documents in place, as their need can arise anytime and anywhere. Also, ensure that you are storing them in a safe place, like digitally in trusted software like DigiLocker, so that your personal information can stay far away from the hands of cyber criminals.

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