Lost your voter card, or simply want a copy on your phone? This guide on voter ID card download is for every registered voter in India, especially first-time voters and people who have moved cities. You will learn how to get the free digital voter card, called e-EPIC, from the Election Commission’s official portal and app.
Quick answer: Go to voters.eci.gov.in (or open the ECI’s ECINET app), log in with your mobile number and OTP, choose “e-EPIC Download”, enter your EPIC number or form reference number, verify the OTP sent to your registered mobile, and download the PDF. It is free. If your mobile is not registered, complete the e-KYC step first.
What Is e-EPIC?
EPIC stands for Electors Photo Identity Card, the official name of the voter ID card. e-EPIC is its digital version: a secure, non-editable PDF with your photo, details and a QR code. The Election Commission of India (ECI) launched it on National Voters’ Day, 25 January 2021.
You can save the PDF on your phone, upload it to DigiLocker, or print it yourself. The e-EPIC is an additional format; it does not cancel your physical PVC card, and it is accepted as identity proof at the polling station like the physical card.
Things You Need Before Downloading
- EPIC number (the 10-character number printed on your voter card), or the reference number of your Form 6 application if you are a new voter
- Mobile number registered in the electoral roll, because the OTP for the download goes there
- A phone or laptop with a camera, only if you need to do e-KYC (face liveness check)
Don’t know your EPIC number? Search your name on electoralsearch.eci.gov.in using your name, age, state and district, or your mobile number. The result shows your EPIC number, polling station and part number.
How to Do Voter ID Card Download on voters.eci.gov.in
This is the main official method and works on both phone browsers and computers.
- Open voters.eci.gov.in, the Voters’ Service Portal of the Election Commission.
- Click Login. New users should first click Sign Up and register with their mobile number, email (optional) and a password.
- Log in with your mobile number or EPIC number, password and the OTP.
- On the home page, select E-EPIC Download.
- Choose whether you are entering the EPIC number or the form reference number, type it in, and select your state.
- Click Search. Your details appear with the masked registered mobile number.
- Click Send OTP, enter the OTP received on that mobile, and verify.
- Click Download e-EPIC. The PDF is saved to your device.
Labels on the portal are updated from time to time, but the option is always under e-EPIC download. The whole process takes under five minutes if your mobile number is registered.
Download e-EPIC Using the ECINET App
ECINET is the Election Commission’s single platform that brings together services earlier spread across separate apps, including the Voter Helpline app. It is free on Android and iOS, and also works on the web. If you still have the older Voter Helpline app, it may continue to work, but ECI is moving services to ECINET, so new users should install ECINET from the official ECI listing.
- Install ECINET from the Play Store or App Store (publisher: Election Commission of India).
- Log in or register with your mobile number and OTP.
- On the home screen, tap Download e-Voter Card (e-EPIC).
- Enter your EPIC number, verify the OTP sent to the registered mobile, and download the PDF.
The same app lets you search your name in the roll, fill voter forms, track applications and find your booth details.
What If Your Mobile Number Is Not Registered?
This is the most common reason the download fails. The OTP must go to the mobile number linked with your entry in the electoral roll. If none is linked, or it is an old number, you have two options.
Option 1: Complete e-KYC on the Portal
- Start the e-EPIC download as usual. When the portal says the mobile is not registered, click e-KYC.
- Complete the face liveness check: the camera takes a live photo while you follow simple on-screen movements, and it is matched with your photo in the roll.
- Enter your current mobile number and verify it with OTP.
- Once e-KYC succeeds, download the e-EPIC.
Use good light and remove glasses or a mask for the face check. If it fails repeatedly, the photo in your voter record may be old or unclear; use Option 2.
Option 2: Update Mobile Number Through Form 8
Form 8 is used to correct entries in the roll, shift your address or replace the card. On the Voters’ Service Portal or ECINET, open Form 8, choose correction of entries, and add or update your mobile number. After the electoral registration officer (ERO) approves it, you can download e-EPIC with OTP. You can also visit your Booth Level Officer (BLO) or the ERO office with photo ID.
e-EPIC vs PVC Voter Card: Comparison
| Point | e-EPIC (digital) | PVC voter card (physical) |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Secure PDF with QR code | Plastic card |
| How to get | Self-download on voters.eci.gov.in or ECINET | Delivered by post / given through BLO after registration |
| Fee | Free | Free for new registration; replacement through Form 8 |
| Time | Minutes (mobile must be registered) | Usually a few weeks after approval |
| Valid at polling booth | Yes | Yes |
| Can be edited | No (non-editable PDF) | No |
| Can store in DigiLocker | Yes | Not applicable |
New Voter? Get Registered First
You can download e-EPIC only after your name is in the electoral roll. If you are an Indian citizen aged 18 or above, register this way:
- Fill Form 6 (new voter registration) on voters.eci.gov.in or ECINET.
- Upload a recent photo, age proof (such as birth certificate, Class 10 marksheet, Aadhaar or PAN) and address proof.
- Submit and note the reference number. A BLO may visit for verification.
- Track the status using the reference number. Once approved, download your e-EPIC using that reference number.
Students who turn 18 can apply in advance: ECI accepts applications from those turning 18 on any of the four qualifying dates in the year (1 January, 1 April, 1 July and 1 October). The 25 January National Voters’ Day, the day before Republic Day, is when many new voters receive their cards.
After Download: Print, Save and Share Safely
Once the e-EPIC PDF is on your phone, take a minute to keep it usable and safe.
- Print it: You can print the PDF on normal paper or get it laminated at a local shop. The QR code on it lets officials verify the details.
- Save to DigiLocker: Upload the PDF to your DigiLocker account so it is available even if you change phones.
- Check the details: Confirm your name, photo, age, address and assembly constituency. If anything is wrong, file Form 8 for correction and download the updated e-EPIC after approval.
- Share carefully: When a bank or office asks for a copy, share it directly with them and avoid posting it on social media or group chats.
Moved to a New City? Shift Your Vote First
Your e-EPIC shows your old address and polling station until you update it. If you have moved permanently to another constituency or state, fill Form 8 and choose shifting of residence. Add proof of your new address, such as a rent agreement, utility bill or updated Aadhaar.
After the ERO approves the shift, your name is moved to the roll of your new area, and you can download a fresh e-EPIC with the new details. Your EPIC number generally stays the same, so you do not have to remember a new one.
Other Voter Services You Can Use Online
- Form 6: New registration as a general voter
- Form 6A: Registration for overseas Indian electors
- Form 7: Objection to an entry or deletion of a name (for example, a family member who has passed away)
- Form 8: Shifting residence, correction of entries, replacement of EPIC, marking a person with disability
- Know your BLO / polling station: Available on the portal and ECINET
Several states have also been running a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. If your state is under revision, check your name in the draft roll and respond to any BLO notice on time so your name is not left out.
Common Errors and Fixes
“EPIC Number Not Found”
Check that you have chosen the right state. Very old cards may have a different number format; search your name on the electoral search site to get the current EPIC number.
Download Button Not Showing
If your Form 6 or Form 8 application is still pending, e-EPIC is not generated yet. Wait for approval. If your card was recently corrected, the updated e-EPIC may take some days to appear.
e-KYC Face Check Failing
Sit facing a window or a bright light, keep your face fully inside the frame and follow each movement slowly. If it still fails, your roll photo may be too old to match; update it through Form 8 or visit your BLO.
Need Help?
Call the ECI’s toll-free Voter Helpline 1950 (add your STD code if calling from a landline in some areas). You can also contact your state Chief Electoral Officer’s office or your BLO.
Keep Your Voter Card Safe
- Download only from voters.eci.gov.in, ecinet.eci.gov.in or the official ECI app. Ignore sites that charge money for “voter card PDF”.
- Never share the OTP with anyone who calls claiming to be from the election office.
- Store a copy in DigiLocker along with your Aadhaar. If you need Aadhaar too, see how to download Aadhaar card with mobile number.
- A voter card is also used as ID for many government schemes, so keep your address and photo updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is e-EPIC valid for voting?
Yes. The e-EPIC is issued by the Election Commission and can be shown as identity proof at the polling station, on your phone or as a printout. Remember, your name must be in the current electoral roll to vote; the card alone is not enough.
How can I download my voter ID card without an EPIC number?
Find your EPIC number first on electoralsearch.eci.gov.in by searching with your details or mobile number. New voters can use the Form 6 reference number instead of an EPIC number in the e-EPIC download option.
Is voter ID card download free?
Yes, downloading e-EPIC from the official portal or app is completely free. Only print it yourself or at a shop; there is no government fee.
Why is the OTP not coming for e-EPIC download?
The OTP goes only to the mobile linked in the electoral roll. If yours is not linked, use the e-KYC option on the portal or update the number through Form 8, then try again.
Can I download e-EPIC for my family members?
You can, as long as you have each person’s EPIC number and access to the OTP on the mobile number registered for that person. Each card needs its own OTP verification.
Which app is used for voter ID download now?
The Election Commission’s ECINET app combines voter services, including e-EPIC download, into one app. The older Voter Helpline app may still work for existing users, and the voters.eci.gov.in website remains available.
Final Thoughts
Voter ID card download is free and takes a few minutes once your mobile number is linked to your voter record. Use voters.eci.gov.in or the ECINET app, keep your EPIC number handy, and finish e-KYC or Form 8 if the OTP does not reach you. Check your name in the roll well before any election so you are ready to vote.
