A Detailed Guide on Virtual ID (VID)

aadhar virtual id — (source: indiatvnews)

Aadhaar is considered one of the leading Government ID proofs for the citizens of India. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) recently introduced a feature called Virtual ID (VID) for enhancing the security of Indian citizens. This is a significant step towards helping the citizens during the authentication of e-KYC verification.

Are you willing to learn all about what virtual id is? Then, keep reading this article for a detailed guide.

What Is Aadhaar Virtual ID (VID)?

According to the official information from UIDAI, VID is a temporary unique 16-digit code. Individuals can generate this revocable code to provide their Aadhaar details for e-KYC. The government will assign this ID randomly to the user after mapping their Aadhaar number. UIDAI has mandated all Aadhaar-authentication agencies to accept VID as a replacement from the application after 1st June 2018.

How to Generate Virtual ID?

Now that you know what the Aadhaar virtual ID is, you must be curious about the ways to download it. Only the Aadhaar cardholder can generate the respective VID. Furthermore, UIDAI has set validity to a VID, one calendar day. Thus, the Aadhaar holder can replace the previous VID with a new one after its validity is over.

Now, the question is how to generate the Aadhaar virtual ID? You can follow the steps mentioned below to generate it.

Step 1

Visit the official website of UIDAI. Click on the “My Aadhaar” tab.

Step 2

Click on "Virtual ID Generator" from the drop-down list. It will open a new page.

Step 3

Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number and security code on the VID Generation page. Next. Select "Send OTP".

Step 4

You will receive an OTP on your registered mobile number linked to your Aadhaar. Enter the OTP and click on “Generate VID”.

Step 5

Once you click on the “Submit” button, you will receive an SMS on your registered number. It will give you the 16-digit VID.

What Are the Unique Features of VID?

Thus, as you saw how to generate virtual ID from the Aadhaar website, it is essential to analyse the purpose of VID. For most logins and e-KYC requirements, you must enter your Aadhaar details. As your Aadhaar is connected with all your data, the Government of India advises you to avoid using it for every online authentication.

Instead, one can use VID authentication in this regard. This process of authentication will remain the same. However, it is impossible to generate an Aadhaar number from your VID. Let us find out some of the unique features of VID.

Aadhaar VID is basically a random 16-digit ID used to replace your Aadhaar number.
The Aadhaar cardholder can only generate it.
One VID is valid for about a day, and one can generate a new ID after its validity expires.
VID provides limited KYC access to various agencies.
It is not a mandate to generate VID.
Agencies are not authorised to store either VID or Aadhaar card.

A significant benefit of VID is its attempt to avoid misuse of Aadhaar details. For instance, if you enter your Aadhaar number in an online portal while submitting e-KYC, it can check all your personal data linked to this number. However, when you use VID instead of Aadhaar number, your purpose of authentication is served, and the agency cannot find any personal data linked to your Aadhaar.

Hopefully, now you know what virtual id is. It is a temporary 16-digit ID to replace Aadhaar details while presenting e-KYC. The purpose is to avoid sharing personal information every time agencies authenticate your ID proofs. The cardholder can only generate this ID, and its validity expires within a day.

Frequently asked questions

✓ Do I need to provide consent for authentication in case of VID?

The Aadhaar cardholder needs to provide consent for VID-based authentication. The agencies are responsible for informing the holders and collecting their explicit consent before using these IDs for authentication.

✓ Can I obtain my VID again if I forget?

UIDAI website has multiple ways of retrieving VID. The resident portals such as eAadhaar, mAadhaar, Aadhaar Enrolment centre, etc., will contain these options. Citizens can also retrieve their VID by sending a message (SMS) to 1947, the Aadhaar helpline number, with the last four digits of their Aadhaar card.