Aadhar virtual id

Aadhar virtual ID is also known as Aadhar VID. Agencies and organizations in India were advised to update their technology and accept the Aadhar VID for all authentication purposes by 31st May 2019. Please link your mobile number with your Aadhar number if you want to generate an Aadhar virtual ID. Some features of Aadhar Virtual ID are as follows:-

1. It is a 16-digit number.
2. It is used as an alternative of aadhar card.
3. It is temporary and revocable. Hence, a VID can be regenerated as many times as the aadhar holder wants. The validity of aadhar VID is until the new aadhar VID is generated. Currently, you can generate one aadhar virtual ID in 24 hours. At a given time, only one aadhar virtual ID will be valid for one aadhar card holder. 
4. You can’t retrieve your aadhar card number with your aadhar VID.
5. Once a new VID is generated, the old VID is deactivated. Nobody except the aadhar card holder can generate aadhar VID against his/her aadhar card number. 
6. Aadhar Virtual ID can be generated by the mAadhar app, UIDAI website or SMS.
7. You can only generate VID by using your aadhar card number. You can’t use your Enrolment number. 
8. Your permission will be asked every time any authentication or transaction happens with your aadhar virtual ID. 

Why do we need an Aadhar virtual ID?

You might be thinking why one needs an Aadhar Virtual ID when one has his/her Aadhar card number.

All Aaadhar authentication and KYC services accept Aaadhar Virtual ID. You can also use it to generate an OTP; update biometric and demographic authentication, and so on. Aadhar card details are always the target of various frauds and criminal activities. If you live in fear of providing your Aadhar card number to an agency/organization, just generate an aadhar virtual ID and give it to them. The agency can’t retrieve any kind of information related to your Aadhar .

The Aadhar card’s alternative number, the Aadhar virtual ID will perform authentication, and the agency can’t retrieve your Aadhar number details. When you have given your VID to one agency, just generate a new one the next day. Once a new VID is generated, the old Aadhar virtual ID is rendered useless. Even if the agency/organization saves your Aadhar virtual ID in their database, it will just be useless for them. The agency cannot access or hack your aadhar card information using your aadhar VID. Hence, the safety of Aadhar holders and their details is ensured in every way. 

How to generate an Aadhar virtual ID?

You can generate an aadhar virtual ID using the following three methods: -

UIDAI website

1. Visit  (uidai.gov.in)
2. Click on “VID Generator”.
3. Type in your aadhar card number and the Captcha code.
4. Click on “Send OTP”. You will receive an OTP on the number you linked with your aadhar card.
5. Type the OTP you received. Click “Verify and Proceed”. A pop-up will come showing a message that “Your VID is sent to your aadhar registered mobile number”.
6. Your latest VID number will be sent to your registered mobile number. 

mAadhar app

• Download the mAadhar app (mAadhaar – Apps on Google Play/ mAadhaar on the App Store (apple.com))
• Click on “Generate Virtual ID”
• Type in your aadhar card number/VID and the security code.
•  Click on “Request OTP” and type in the OTP you received on your aadhar registered number.
• Click on “Generate VID” to get an aadhar virtual ID on your app. 
• SMS
• SMS format: “GVID Last 4 digits of Aadhaar Number”. 
• SMS number: 1947. Message this number from your aadhar registered number and get your aadhar virtual ID. 

How to retrieve aadhar Virtual ID?

Retrieving aadhar VID means the last active VID is sent to your aadhar registered mobile number. Retrieving is done when you want to know VID after you have used it somewhere, lost it or forgotten it. You can also generate a new one for all such cases as easily as you can retrieve it.  

You can retrieve your previous VID by sending a message 1947 by your registered mobile number. The SMS format is “RVIDLast 4 digits of Aadhaar Number”.

You can retrieve your aadhar virtual ID from the UIDAI website also. The steps are as follows: -

1. Visit  (uidai.gov.in)
2. Click on “VID Generator”.
3. Click on the “Retrieve VID” checkbox.
4. Click on “Send OTP”. You will receive an OTP on the number you linked with your aadhar card.
5. Type the OTP you received. Click “Verify and Proceed”. 
6. Your previous VID number will be sent to your registered mobile number.