Aadhaar Virtual ID (VID) is the alternate way to share your Aadhaar number when actually you are suspicious about sharing your 12-digit main Aadhaar number. This Aadhaar VID will do the same authentication as real Aadhaar does.

It will allow you to authenticate transactions and e-know-your-customer (KYC) services instead of providing your Aadhaar number, to both private and government institutions.

The VID is a temporary, revocable (when you generate another VID, previous VID will become void) 16-digit random number mapped with the real Aadhaar number.

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) stated that one’s Aadhaar number cannot be derived from the VID that is generated so it is safe to share your VID wherever it is needed. The VID can be used for the purpose of authentication in the same way the Aadhaar number is used.

How to generate Aadhaar Virtual ID?

1. Go to UIDAI resident portal
2. Click on Virtual ID generator at the Aadhaar services column
3. Give your Aadhaar number in the text box and fill the captcha or security code
4. It will send OTP (one time password) in your registered mobile number
5. Enter OTP in the right hand side text/input box
6. Select Generate VID/ Retrieve VID radio button and submit

This way, Aadhaar Number holders can generate their 16 Digit Virtual ID (VID).

Since this is a digital ID, Aadhaar holders can regenerate it multiple times, which makes it safer than providing your actual Aadhaar number. At present, the VID is valid for a minimum of one day, which means an Aadhaar holder would be able to re-generate a new VID a day after he has generated the first one. Further, there is no expiry period defined yet for the VID and it will be valid till the time a new one is generated by you.

DigiLocker a Digital Locker service operated by the Government of India to store certain official documents on the cloud such as Digital Aadhaar, thus enables the citizen of India in reducing the need to carry physical documents and can be used anytime anywhere through the mobile devices. DigiLocker is part of the government’s Digital India initiative.

If you have already applied for the Aadhaar card then you can check Aadhaar card status online after the enrollment.

DigiLocker is a cloud-based platform for issuance, storage, sharing and verification of documents and certificates, according to GOI Digilocker Site. It helps in securing lot of documents online. Now, DigiLocker also allows citizens to access their digital Aadhaar card number. Digital Aadhaar in DigiLocker is the same as eAadhaar issued by UIDAI(Unique Identification Authority of India). UIDAI is as an issuer of digital Aadhaar in DigiLocker, said DigiLocker on it’s official website.

1 GB of storage space is offered to users to store identification card issued by government agencies, education certificates, PAN cards, driving license, vehicle ownership documents and some other documents.The service is aimed towards reducing the need to carry physical documents, and is part of the government’s Digital India initiative.

DigiLocker has partnered with UIDAI to make it available automatically to its users when they link their DigiLocker account with Aadhaar. The advantage of digital Aadhaar or eAadhaar is that it can now be used in the same way as any other DigiLocker document.

How to Access Digital Aadhaar From DigiLocker or eAadhaar in DigiLocker?

1. Signup to DigiLocker using your mobile number and email verification followed by creating user credentials, then login.
2. Upon login to DigiLocker, link your Aadhaar and then you will see a dialog box with a message to get your eAadhaar
3. Click on “Click here” link. OTP box will appear in the dialog
4. You will receive an OTP on your mobile number linked to Aadhaar. Enter this OTP in the OTP box and click “Verify OTP” button
5. On successful validation of the OTP you will be redirected to “Issued Document” page where URI for eAadhaar will be listed
6. Click on “Save” icon next to Aadhaar Card on “Issued Document” page
7. Your eAadhaar will be saved to “Uploaded Document” section.

DigiLocker Benefits

Since DigiLocker is a platform for issuance and verification of documents & certificates in a digital way, so the idea behind this to make paperless governance. The benefits are-

1. Citizens can access their digital documents anytime, anywhere and share it online in a convenient and time saving way.
2. It reduces the administrative overhead of Government departments by minimizing the use of paper.
3. Validation of authenticity of documents getting easier as they are issued directly by the registered issuers.
4. Self-uploaded documents can be digitally signed using the eSign facility (which is similar to the process of self-attestation).

There is also an associated facility for e-signing documents. The service is intended to minimize the use of physical documents, reduce administrative expenses, provide authenticity of the e-documents, provide secure access to government-issued documents and to make it easy for the residents to receive services.

The Aadhaar card has established itself as one of the main documents for proving one’s identity. However, ensuring that your Aadhaar information is safe is crucial. This system will enable Residents to lock and temporarily unlock their bio-metrics. This is to protect privacy and confidentiality of Resident’s Bio-metrics Data.

When obtaining an Aadhaar card, individuals must provide their retinal and fingerprint scan data to the government. This bio-metric data can be utilized for verification when availing other services. For instance, if you furnish your Aadhaar as an ID proof for availing a sim card, the telecom company can access your data by using your fingerprint as doing so authenticates the ID quickly and speeds up KYC verification.

Locked Biometrics ensures the Aadhaar holder will not be able to use their Bio-metrics (fingerprints/iris) for authentications thus preventing potential misuse that is stored in UIDAI servers.

The data can be unlocked whenever required and used for verification before you lock it again. Following is a simple guide to locking or unlocking your bio-metric data online.

Steps to Lock Unlock Aadhaar Biometric Data Online

• 1. Visit the UIDAI website link (https://resident[dot]uidai[dot]gov[dot]in/bio-lock) here.
  2. Enter the 12-digit Aadhaar number that appears on your card.
  3. Enter the security code which pops up on the image under the Aadhaar number.
  4. Generate a One Time Password.
  5. The OTP will be sent through an SMS to the registered mobile phone number, and the OTP must be entered on the same page. (Registered Mobile Number is essential to avail this service. In case your mobile number is not registered with Aadhaar visit the nearest Enrolment Centre/Mobile Update End Point.)
  6. Verify the OTP.
  7. Click on ‘Enable Bio-metric Locking’.
  8. Click on ‘Enable’ once you have checked Enable Bio-metric Locking.
  9. In case you wish to disable the lock, just uncheck Enable Bio-metric Locking after which you can click ‘Disable’.
  10. Your Aadhaar UIDAI biometric information will then be locked or unlocked based on what you have checked.

Once your bio-metric data has been locked, you can authenticate Aadhaar based requests or transactions for information only through the One Time Password sent to the registered mobile number, bit with an iris or thumb scan. Please note that you can only lock or unlock your Aadhaar information online only.

You can also check Aadhaar card status online once your Aadhaar gets enrolled.

Aadhaar card, a lifelong 12-digit unique identity number issued by the Unique Identity Authority of India (UIDAI), is the mandatory verification card for all Indian citizens. It is verifiable online anywhere anytime using the Aadhaar authentication platform. Aadhaar authentication responds only with “yes/no” answer.

It is also required to be linked with many essential services like the permanent account number (PAN), bank accounts, life insurance policies, mobile phone numbers, and social security schemes among others. After applying for the Aadhaar card, you can verify it online by following few simple steps as given below-

Check Aadhaar Card Status Online Via UIDAI’s website

1. Visit the official website of UIDAI, uidai[dot]gov[dot]in.
2. Click on ‘check Aadhaar status’ under Aadhaar enrolment.
3. Type the Enrolment ID number and the date and time stamp in the space provided.
4. Type the security code as shown and click on ‘check status’.
5. The status of your Aadhaar card will be on screen.

You can call 1947, the toll-free number provided by UIDAI, and check the status of your Aadhaar card.

However, if your Enrolment ID number is more than 90 days old and Aadhaar card has not been delivered, you must call 1947 or write to help@uidai[dot]gov[dot]in.

The current deadline for linking the 10-digit alphanumeric PAN, issued by the Income Tax Department, with Aadhaar is December 31.

With mobile SIMs, Aadhaar has to be linked by February 6 and with social security schemes and banks etc, December 31 is the last day for Aadhaar linking.

Currently where Aadhaar is used in?

• Food & Nutrition – Public Distribution System, Food Security, Mid Day Meals, Integrated Child Development Scheme.
• Employment – Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana, Indira Awaaz Yojana, Prime Minister’s Employment Guarantee Program
• Education – Sarva Shikhsha Abhiyaan, Right to Education
• Inclusion & Social Security – Janani Suraksha Yojana, Development of Primitive Tribe Groups, Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme
• Healthcare – Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana, Janashri Bima Yojana, Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana
• Other miscellaneous purposes including Property Transactions, VoterID, PAN Card, Bank Accounts and PF/EPF etc.