How Does Aadhaar eSign Work in Zoho Sign?

In short: The signer picks Aadhaar eSign, enters an Aadhaar number or Virtual ID, gets an OTP on the Aadhaar-linked phone, and the document is signed with an Aadhaar-based certificate.

HR and legal teams ask the same questions in public forums: is an Aadhaar signature as good as ink, what does each one cost, and why did the OTP never arrive?

The Aadhaar eSign process in Zoho Sign has four steps, per Zoho's Aadhaar eSign page:

1. The signer opens the signing link and fills in the fields as usual.
2. From the Sign via dropdown, the signer picks Aadhaar eSign and clicks Proceed to move to the licensed eSign provider's page.
3. The signer enters an Aadhaar number or Virtual ID and clicks Get OTP; the OTP goes to the phone registered with that Aadhaar.
4. The signer enters the OTP and clicks Perform eSign to finish.

Zoho says the integration is provided with a licensed eSign service provider, that Aadhaar number, Virtual ID and OTP are not stored, and that signed documents carry an embedded timestamp. Zoho Sign Aadhaar eSign is ideal for external signers, per its Aadhaar eSign help.

To verify a signed file, open the signature properties, click Show Signer's Certificate, then check Name under Details. It shows the name registered with Aadhaar.

Is Zoho Sign Aadhaar eSign Legally Valid?

In short: The IT Act recognises Aadhaar-based e-authentication, but some documents are outside the Act and others need stamping or registration.

In plain words, three parts of the Information Technology Act, 2000 matter here:

• Section 3A lets a person authenticate an electronic record with a reliable electronic signature technique listed in the Second Schedule.
• The Second Schedule lists e-authentication using Aadhaar or other e-KYC services, leading to a Digital Signature Certificate from a licensed certifying body. Zoho Sign Aadhaar eSign follows this route.
• The First Schedule lists documents to which the Act does not apply at all, so no electronic signature works for them.

Zoho's release notes say documents signed this way carry a recognised form of signature under Section 3A. The same Zoho page calls it legally equivalent to a handwritten signature.

Legal validity is not the whole story. Many agreements also need stamp duty, and some need registration. Zoho Sign offers stamp duty payment (eStamping) for several states, per its eStamping page.

Documents You Can and Cannot Sign Using Aadhaar Based eSign

In short: Most business contracts work; negotiable instruments (other than cheques), powers of attorney, trusts and wills are excluded, with narrow exceptions.

Zoho Sign Aadhaar eSign is only as valid as the document allows. Use this table as a first filter, then confirm with your lawyer. We can also share it as a file on a short call; there is no download on this page.

The 2022 change came through a central government notification amending the First Schedule; we cite it by description only. Your lawyer can confirm the current position for your state and document.

Zoho Sign Aadhaar eSign Cost per Signature (INR)

In short: Each Aadhaar eSign uses 2 Zoho Sign credits; credits cost ₹6 each in packs of 500, on top of a paid plan.

Zoho's credits page lists signing via Aadhaar eSign at 2 credits per signing activity. Zoho's pricing page sells credits in packs of 500 at ₹6 per credit. GST is extra.

Example only, credits alone, before GST:

Enterprise plans get complimentary credits (50 per user per month, up to 2,500), but Zoho's complimentary credits chart covers bulk send, SignForms and automations, and does not list Aadhaar eSign. Budget paid credits for Zoho Sign Aadhaar eSign.

Tip: a simple rule of thumb is credits needed = Zoho Sign Aadhaar eSign signings per month x 2. Add a buffer for re-sends.

Aadhaar eSign Process: Setup for Senders and Signers

In short: An admin turns on Aadhaar eSign under Settings > Integrations; senders can make it the only allowed method per recipient.

For the admin (one time)

1. Make sure the organisation is on a paid Zoho Sign plan in Zoho's India data centre.
2. Go to Settings > Integrations and toggle Aadhaar eSign to ON (admins only).
3. Buy credits under Settings > Admin > Subscription details, and set low and critical credit reminders.

For the sender (each document)

1. Upload the document or pick a template, and add recipients.
2. Click Customize on a recipient and choose the allowed digital signature providers; select only Aadhaar eSign to make it mandatory.
3. Place the signature and other fields, then send.

Zoho's release notes confirm senders can enable or disable signature providers for each recipient. That is how you make Zoho Sign Aadhaar eSign compulsory for one signer and optional for another.

For the signer

For Zoho Sign Aadhaar eSign, the signer needs an Aadhaar number or Virtual ID and the phone registered with Aadhaar at hand. Zoho says residents of India and non-resident Indian citizens can use it.

Aadhaar eSign Not Working? 6 Fixes in Zoho Sign

In short: Most failures come from a disabled integration, an OTP phone the signer cannot reach, a non-Aadhaar signer or empty credits.

When Zoho Sign Aadhaar eSign fails, causes 1, 2, 4 and 5 come straight from Zoho's help and credits pages. If none of these fit, keep the document ID and contact Zoho support or your Zoho partner.

What to Compare in Any E-Signature Tool for India

In short: Compare any e-signature tool on Indian signing methods, stamping, cost per signature, audit trail and integrations.

Evaluating options? Use this vendor-neutral checklist rather than brand comparisons. It is the same list we use before setting up Zoho Sign Aadhaar eSign for a client.

For CRM workflows see Zoho CRM integration with Zoho Sign; for contract management see top Zoho Contracts features.

Whichever tool you pick, test it with a real signer, a real phone and a real contract before rollout. For Zoho Sign Aadhaar eSign, one test signing costs just 2 credits.

How Codroid Labs Sets Up Zoho Sign Aadhaar eSign for Teams

Codroid Labs is a Zoho Partner and a Zoho AI Enabled Partner, recognised by Zoho after the AI Accelerator Series 2026. As a Zoho Partner, Codroid Labs sells Zoho licences and provides implementation, customisation, migration and AMC support.

Based in New Delhi, we work with businesses across India remotely: templates, recipient rules, credit planning and CRM or HR integrations for Zoho Sign Aadhaar eSign. Start with our Zoho Sign guide.

Related: Zoho Sign blockchain timestamping, PAN, GST and Aadhaar verification and HR automation. Book a call, phone +91 7838402682 or email team@codroiditlabs.com.

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Zoho Sign Aadhaar eSign: FAQs