Kaise KareinSeven rules before you start
These seven habits protect your money, your time and your details in every online government task, whether it is Aadhaar, PAN or a passport.
- Use only the official website. Government sites end in .gov.in or .nic.in (IRCTC is irctc.co.in). Type the address yourself or use the link in our guide. Do not trust the first result of a search or a link in a message; look-alike sites charge extra and steal details.
- Never share an OTP, PIN or password. No officer, bank or helpline needs them. An OTP is your signature. Whoever has it can act as you.
- Pay only the official fee, on the official page. The portal shows the fee before you pay. Anything demanded on top by a website or a caller is not a government charge.
- Write down every number you are given. Reference number, SRN, acknowledgement number, registration number: this is your proof and the only way to track or complain later. Take a screenshot too.
- Keep your documents consistent. Most applications get stuck because the name, date of birth or address is spelt differently in two documents. Fix the wrong document first.
- Do it yourself where you can. A cyber cafe or an agent can type for you, but sit beside them, read the screen, and enter OTPs yourself. Never leave your documents or phone with them.
- Keep copies. Save the final receipt as a PDF and keep it in DigiLocker, your email or a folder on your phone.
If something still goes wrong
If money has been taken, call 1930 at once and tell your bank. If an application is stuck, write to the grievance or helpdesk option of the same portal with your reference number. Our guide on reporting online fraud has the full steps.