Upload Documents to DigiLocker is useful when you want to keep your important digital files in one place and access them online when required. DigiLocker provides a DigiLocker Drive where users can upload their own documents and manage them digitally.
A very important point is that a document uploaded by you is different from a document issued by a government department, university, board or other integrated organisation. DigiLocker’s official FAQ says that uploaded documents are those uploaded directly by the user, while issued documents come electronically from the original data source of an integrated issuer.
This distinction matters when a college, employer, government department or another organisation asks for a verified digital document.
What Does Upload Documents to DigiLocker Mean?
When you Upload Documents to DigiLocker, you are adding a digital file from your phone or computer to the DigiLocker Drive section of your account.
For example, you may have a scanned copy of:
- a certificate;
- an old marksheet;
- an insurance document;
- an application-related document;
- a personal record;
- another permitted PDF, JPG or PNG file.
You can upload that file to DigiLocker so that you can access it later without depending only on the copy stored on your phone or computer.
DigiLocker’s official FAQ identifies DigiLocker Drive as the section containing documents uploaded by the user. It also records activities such as file upload, download and sharing.
What Is the Difference Between Uploaded and Issued Documents?
This is the first thing you should understand before uploading anything.
| Feature | Uploaded Document | Issued Document |
|---|---|---|
| Who provides it? | You | Integrated issuer |
| Source | Your own file | Original issuing authority’s database |
| Uploaded manually | Yes | No |
| Appears in DigiLocker Drive | Yes | No |
| Appears in Issued Documents | No | Yes |
| Issuer-generated URI | No | Yes |
| Electronic verification | Generally not the same as issuer-issued record | Supported through DigiLocker ecosystem |
| Example | Scan of an old certificate | Digitally issued marksheet from a participating board |
DigiLocker states that issued documents are electronic documents provided directly from the original data source of integrated government agencies and other issuers, whereas uploaded documents are files uploaded directly by users.
So, uploading a scanned certificate does not turn it into an issuer-issued DigiLocker certificate.
What File Formats Can Be Uploaded to DigiLocker?
According to the official DigiLocker FAQ, users can upload files in these formats:
- JPEG/JPG
- PNG
The maximum permitted file size is 10 MB per file.
DigiLocker Upload Limits
| Requirement | Current limit |
|---|---|
| Supported | |
| JPG/JPEG | Supported |
| PNG | Supported |
| Maximum file size | 10 MB |
So, if you have a 14 MB scanned PDF, you will need to reduce its size before trying again.
How to Upload Documents to DigiLocker Online
The official DigiLocker FAQ gives a simple upload process.
Step 1: Open DigiLocker
Visit the official website:
Use only the official government DigiLocker website. DigiLocker’s FAQ identifies digilocker.gov.in as the official access URL.
Step 2: Login to Your Account
Enter your login details and complete the required authentication.
You need to have a DigiLocker account before you can upload your own documents.
Step 3: Open Uploaded Documents or DigiLocker Drive
After logging in, go to the section where your uploaded documents are stored.
DigiLocker’s official FAQ describes DigiLocker Drive as the area where documents uploaded by the user are maintained.
Step 4: Click the Upload Option
Look for the Upload icon or upload option.
The official FAQ says that users can upload documents from inside the Uploaded Documents section and click the upload icon to start the process.
Step 5: Select the File
A file-selection window will open.
Locate the document saved on your:
- computer;
- laptop;
- mobile storage;
- downloaded files folder.
Select the appropriate file and choose Open.
Step 6: Wait for Upload
DigiLocker will upload the selected file to your account.
The upload must meet the supported file format and size requirements.
Remember:
Maximum file size = 10 MB
Supported formats = PDF, JPG/JPEG and PNG.
Step 7: Rename or Edit the File Name
DigiLocker also allows users to edit the name of an uploaded file.
According to the official FAQ, the file name can be changed using the edit icon next to the filename.
This is useful when your file has a confusing name such as:
IMG_20261003_184532.jpg
You can rename it to something more meaningful, such as:
Class 12 Marksheet
or
Passport Address Proof
A clear naming system makes it much easier to find documents later.
How to Upload PDF to DigiLocker
PDF is one of the officially supported file formats.
Suppose you have a certificate saved as:
income-certificate.pdf
You can:
- log in to DigiLocker;
- open Uploaded Documents/DigiLocker Drive;
- select Upload;
- choose the PDF from your device;
- complete the upload;
- rename it if required.
The PDF must be within the 10 MB maximum size.
For important government certificates, remember that uploading a scanned copy is not the same as fetching the electronically issued record from the relevant authority.
How to Upload JPG or PNG to DigiLocker
You can also upload image files in:
JPG/JPEG
or
PNG
These formats can be useful when you have photographed or scanned a paper document.
For example, if an old certificate is available only as a clear image, you may store the image in DigiLocker Drive, provided it meets the platform’s file requirements.
However, make sure the image is:
- clear;
- complete;
- readable;
- not heavily cropped;
- not blurred;
- properly oriented.
A poor-quality scan may be difficult to use later.
Can I Upload a Scanned Certificate to DigiLocker?
Yes, you can upload a permitted scanned file to your DigiLocker Drive, provided the file type and size meet DigiLocker’s upload requirements.
However, there is an important limitation.
A scanned certificate that you upload yourself remains a user-uploaded document. It is not automatically converted into an official issuer-issued DigiLocker document.
For example:
You scan your 2015 marksheet and upload the PDF
= Uploaded document.
Your university issues your digital marksheet through DigiLocker
= Issued document.
These are technically different records.
Are Uploaded Documents Legally Equivalent to Original Documents?
You should not automatically assume that every file you upload has the same legal status as an electronically issued government document.
DigiLocker’s Terms of Use state that documents issued or shared through DigiLocker are legally equivalent to physical originals under the applicable IT Rules.
That wording is important because your own uploaded scan is not the same as a document issued directly by an integrated authority.
Therefore, when an organisation specifically asks for an officially issued or digitally verifiable document, try to fetch the document from the relevant issuer in DigiLocker instead of relying only on a scanned upload.
How to Upload Documents to DigiLocker From Mobile
You can manage DigiLocker documents from a mobile device through the official DigiLocker app.
The practical process is similar to the website:
Open official DigiLocker app → Login → Uploaded Documents/DigiLocker Drive → Upload → Select file → Complete upload
Before uploading from mobile, check:
- the file is smaller than 10 MB;
- the file is PDF, JPG/JPEG or PNG;
- the file is readable;
- you are logged into the correct account.
Use the official application source and avoid installing an APK sent through WhatsApp, Telegram, SMS or unknown websites.
Which Documents Should You Upload to DigiLocker?
The answer depends on your personal needs.
You may want to keep digital copies of documents that you frequently need to access.
Examples include:
Education Records
You may store personal copies of:
- older marksheets;
- certificates;
- admission-related records;
- educational documents.
However, whenever a digital record from your university or board is available as an issuer-issued document, that version can be more useful for verification.
For admission-related paperwork, you can also refer to Documents Required for School Admission.
Identity and Address Records
Users may keep appropriate digital copies of important identity or supporting records.
Do not share sensitive documents merely because someone asks for them. First confirm why the document is required and who is requesting it.
For Aadhaar-related documentation, see Aadhaar Mobile Number Linking.
Government Certificates
You may want to keep a copy of a certificate for your own records.
For example:
- income certificate;
- domicile certificate;
- residence-related certificate;
- other government records.
For a broader explanation of how government certificates are issued, see Government Certificate Process.
Passport-Related Records
You may also keep appropriate supporting documents for your own digital reference.
For passport applications, always follow the latest requirements of Passport Seva and the concerned authority. A general document checklist is available in Passport Documents Required.
Why Is DigiLocker Drive Useful?
The DigiLocker Drive provides a convenient place to retain your own digital files.
The official FAQ lists the following functions for the DigiLocker account ecosystem:
- document storage;
- uploading;
- downloading;
- sharing;
- activity tracking.
This can be especially useful when your original document is available only in paper form but you have a legitimate digital copy for your records.
How to Organise Uploaded Documents in DigiLocker
Uploading files is easy, but storing them without a naming system can create a different problem.
Suppose you upload 15 documents with names such as:
scan001.pdf
document2.jpg
IMG2026.png
Later, finding a specific document can become difficult.
Use descriptive names such as:
- Class 10 Marksheet
- Class 12 Certificate
- Income Certificate 2026
- Domicile Certificate
- Passport Address Proof
- Insurance Policy
A clear naming system saves time when you need a document urgently.
What Happens After You Upload a Document?
The uploaded file is stored in the user-uploaded section of your DigiLocker account.
DigiLocker’s FAQ states that the Activity section maintains a log of activities performed in the account, including upload, download and share actions.
So, if you need to check recent activity, this section can be useful.
Can I Share Uploaded Documents?
Yes. DigiLocker’s FAQ specifically states that users can update the document type and share uploaded documents.
However, sharing should be done carefully.
Before sending an uploaded document, ask:
- Does the recipient actually need it?
- Is the document sensitive?
- Is the recipient genuine?
- Is there an official verification mechanism available instead?
For sensitive documents, do not share them casually with unknown people.
Uploaded Document vs Official Digital Document
Consider this practical example.
Rahul has an old university degree certificate.
He scans the certificate and uploads it to DigiLocker.
That file is now stored in his uploaded documents.
Later, Rahul discovers that his university participates in DigiLocker and has issued his degree digitally.
The university-issued record is different from Rahul’s scanned upload.
The second record comes from the integrated issuer and can provide the platform’s supported verification features. DigiLocker explains that issued documents are fetched from the original issuing agency, while user-uploaded files are separate.
This distinction can become important during job applications, admissions and official verification.
What If DigiLocker Does Not Accept My File?
The first things to check are the file’s:
Format
It must be:
- PDF;
- JPG/JPEG;
- PNG.
Size
It must not exceed 10 MB.
If the file is too large, reduce its size and try again.
If the file format is unsupported, convert or save it into a supported format.
What If My PDF Is More Than 10 MB?
Large scanned PDFs are common when a document contains many pages or high-resolution images.
For example:
Your PDF = 18 MB
DigiLocker limit = 10 MB
The upload may fail.
You can reduce the PDF size using a reliable PDF compression tool, but make sure that the final document remains readable.
Do not reduce the quality so much that:
- names become unclear;
- document numbers become unreadable;
- signatures cannot be seen;
- QR codes stop working;
- important text disappears.
For an official document, readability should come before achieving the smallest possible file size.
Can I Upload Multiple Documents to DigiLocker?
You can upload your own documents to DigiLocker Drive, subject to the platform’s applicable upload functionality and file limits. Each uploaded file must meet the supported format and size requirements.
Instead of combining unrelated papers into one large file, it is often more practical to keep separate documents with meaningful names.
For example:
Aadhaar.pdf
PAN.pdf
Graduation Certificate.pdf
Class 12 Marksheet.pdf
This makes individual sharing and future retrieval easier.
Is Uploading Documents to DigiLocker Safe?
DigiLocker describes itself as a secure, privacy-focused digital platform for document storage, access and sharing. Its current Terms of Use state that the platform follows a privacy-centric architecture and that users retain ownership of content they upload.
Its security architecture also describes mechanisms for secure handling of documents and digitally signed issuer documents.
However, your own security practices are equally important.
Never share:
- OTP;
- security PIN;
- login credentials;
- Aadhaar authentication information;
- sensitive documents with unknown people.
Also avoid logging into DigiLocker through links received from unverified sources.
Is There Any Risk in Uploading Sensitive Documents?
There can be privacy risks with any digital document system if files are shared carelessly or account credentials are compromised.
Before uploading a document, consider whether you actually need to store it.
You should be particularly careful with documents containing:
- Aadhaar number;
- bank details;
- account numbers;
- tax information;
- signatures;
- financial records;
- personal addresses.
DigiLocker’s Terms of Use place responsibility on users for the content they upload and emphasise user consent for fetching or sharing documents.
Common Mistakes When Uploading Documents to DigiLocker
Uploading the Wrong Document
Always open the file before uploading it.
A filename can be misleading, especially when you have many scanned files.
Uploading a Blurry Image
A document may upload successfully but still be practically useless if the text cannot be read.
Ignoring the 10 MB Limit
Large files can fail during upload. Check the file size beforehand.
Using Unsupported Formats
DigiLocker currently lists PDF, JPG/JPEG and PNG for user uploads.
Thinking an Uploaded Scan Is an Issued Document
This is probably the most important mistake.
A self-uploaded scan does not become an issuer-generated government document simply because it is stored in DigiLocker.
Sharing Sensitive Files Without Checking the Recipient
Before sharing, verify who is receiving the document and why it is needed.
Using Fake DigiLocker Websites
Always start with:
The official FAQ identifies this as the DigiLocker access URL.
Upload Documents to DigiLocker: Quick Checklist
| Check | Status |
|---|---|
| Official DigiLocker website/app used | ☐ |
| Account successfully logged in | ☐ |
| Correct document selected | ☐ |
| File is PDF/JPG/JPEG/PNG | ☐ |
| File size is 10 MB or less | ☐ |
| Document is readable | ☐ |
| File name is meaningful | ☐ |
| Uploaded file checked after upload | ☐ |
| Sensitive information shared only when necessary | ☐ |
| Issuer-issued version checked separately | ☐ |
Frequently Asked Questions About Upload Documents to DigiLocker
Conclusion
Upload Documents to DigiLocker is useful for keeping your own digital files accessible through the DigiLocker Drive. The official platform currently supports PDF, JPG/JPEG and PNG files up to 10 MB for user uploads.
The most important point is to understand the difference between an uploaded document and an issuer-issued document. Your uploaded scan is simply a file stored by you, while an issuer-issued document comes directly from an integrated organisation’s original data source and can support DigiLocker’s verification features.
Use meaningful file names, maintain readable copies, protect your account and avoid sharing sensitive documents unnecessarily.
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