How to generate Aadhaar Virtual ID

Aadhar Card is a 16-digit temporary code which can be used for Aadhar authentication and is an alternative to Aadhaar number. One can provide the UIDAI virtual ID in place of Aadhaar number to agencies and can protect Aadhar details from being accessed by someone else. Virtual ID also use in getting E-KYC done at both private and government organizations.

The facility of Virtual ID started on 1st June 2018. It has been launched to address the issue of Aadhar data breach as it would become impossible to track the Aadhaar number from virtual ID. One can also download Aadhaar card using this ID from UIDAI’ online portal.

Steps to generate Aadhaar Virtual ID

The virtual ID is generated by stepping to the UIDAI’S  official website. It is also proposed that VID generation feature may be provided in the madhab app in future. It is a must to have a mobile number registered with UIDAI to get the benefit of this service. In case your number is not registered with UIDAI , then first link the mobile number with Aadhaar. The process of retrieving virtual ID is same as that of VID generation. 

Steps to follow are :

Step 1

Visit UIDAI’s website at http://uidai.gov.in/

Step 2

Click on the “Virtual ID (VID) Generator” from Aadhaar Services section.

Step 3

You will be taken to a new VID Generation page https://goo.gl/vFQgic

Step 4

Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number and security code.

Step 5

Now click on the “ Send OTP” button

Step 6

An OTP will be sent to your mobile number registered with UIDAI

Step 7

Enter the OTP and select the option to either “Generate VID” or “Retrieve VID”

Step 8

Now click on the submit button

Step 9

You will get a message like “Congratulations! Your VID Number Successfully Generated and sent to your registered mobile.”

Step 10

You will get the message on your registered mobile number mentioning the 16-digit virtual ID for Aadhaar number and the last 4 digits of Aadhaar, generated at 04-04-2018:11:31:02.

Step 11

You can generate virtual IDs for other Aadhaar numbers as well for your family.

Why Do We Need Aadhar Virtual ID?

Many cases appear of Aadhaar card data leakage. After that, people become highly concerned about the safety of Aadhar and its details. UIDAI has addressed the concerns of people and has come up with the virtual ID as it is the best way to save the data from being hacked. When users are giving Virtual ID instead of Aadhar, agencies cannot retrieve any details related to Aadhaar number. The Aadhaar details are not accessed by agencies in any manner.

Aadhaar holders can generate the virtual ID and use it to authenticate for a service. Once the authentication is complete, the applicant can regenerate his virtual ID so that the details with the agency, if saved, are rendered useless.

Features of Virtual ID

• Virtual ID is a temporary 16-digit code and a perfect replacement of Aadhaar number to do authentication.
• Only one virtual ID issued at a time.  When new VID is issued , old one is vanished.
• There is no cap on the generation of Virtual IDs.
• It is not compulsory to generate VIDs. A person can furnish his or Aadhar instead of the VID.
• Agencies cannot force applicants to provide Aadhar number for e-KYC or verification.
• Agencies need to take consent from the user for the authentication using VID.
• No agency is authorized to store the virtual ID or any other Aadhar details taken from the authentication.
• Virtual ID is valid till the user generates a new one.
• When you retrieve your Aadhaar, the last generated VID is sent to the registered mobile number.