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An Aadhaar Virtual ID (VID) is a temporary, revocable 16-digit number you can use instead of your Aadhaar number for authentication and e-KYC services that support it. UIDAI says your Aadhaar number cannot be derived from your VID. There is no fixed expiry date: the current VID stays active until you generate a replacement, which deactivates the old one.
What is an Aadhaar Virtual ID?
A Virtual ID, or VID, is a random 16-digit number mapped to your Aadhaar number. It is an alternate identifier for supported Aadhaar authentication and e-KYC flows—not a second Aadhaar number, identity card or guarantee of anonymity. It lets you avoid disclosing your Aadhaar number directly when the service accepts VID. UIDAI says the Aadhaar number cannot be worked out from the VID. UIDAI’s VID explanation has the official definition.
The privacy benefit is limited but useful: a service receiving your VID does not thereby learn your Aadhaar number. However, authentication still involves a service provider, a stated purpose and your consent; the information returned through an authentication or e-KYC flow depends on that flow. A VID does not make the transaction anonymous or remove the need to assess who is requesting verification.
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VID features at a glance
| Feature | What it means |
|---|---|
| 16 digits | A random alternate identifier linked to your Aadhaar number. |
| One active VID | Only the latest VID is valid for an Aadhaar number. |
| No set expiry date | UIDAI says it remains valid until replaced. |
| Replaceable | You can generate a new VID; the old one is deactivated. |
| Supported flows only | It can substitute for Aadhaar in services that have enabled VID authentication or e-KYC. |
| Holder initiated | An agency cannot generate a VID on your behalf. |
| Consent required | Using VID does not remove the requirement for explicit consent to authentication. |
| Storage restricted | UIDAI regulations state that an entity must not store a VID in its system. |
How to generate a VID online
Use UIDAI’s Aadhaar services page or the official MyAadhaar portal. You will generally need access to the mobile number registered with Aadhaar to receive an OTP.
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- Open the UIDAI Aadhaar services page and choose Generate VID or the similarly named VID service.
- Follow the official page to enter the requested Aadhaar details and security code, then request an OTP.
- Enter the OTP sent to your registered mobile number and submit.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to receive or view the active VID.
UIDAI menu names and screen layouts can change. Use the current official labels and do not enter Aadhaar details on a third-party “VID generator” site. The generation process must be initiated by you; a bank, agent or KYC provider cannot generate the number for you.
Generate a VID by SMS
From the mobile number registered with Aadhaar, send this message to 1947:
GVID 1234Replace 1234 with the last four digits of your Aadhaar number. UIDAI’s documented format is GVID followed by those four digits. The current VID is sent to the registered mobile number. If the SMS is rejected, check the syntax and follow any current instructions in UIDAI’s response.
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How to retrieve a forgotten VID
If you have forgotten the active VID, request the last active one rather than generating a replacement. From the registered mobile number, send this to 1947:
RVID 1234Replace 1234 with the last four digits of your Aadhaar number. Retrieval returns the last active VID; it does not necessarily create a new one. UIDAI also lists the MyAadhaar website, mAadhaar app, e-Aadhaar flow and other UIDAI-provided channels as ways to obtain a VID. The exact controls may differ across services and app versions.
Replacing a VID: what happens to the old one?
Generating a new VID creates a different number and deactivates the previous one. Only the latest VID remains valid. UIDAI currently says a new VID can be generated after the applicable minimum interval—one calendar day or after midnight. Its guidance does not describe the VID as a number that automatically expires after a fixed number of days.
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Consider replacing it if you suspect it has been exposed, shared more widely than intended or retained by a service, or if you want to invalidate a VID you previously supplied. Replacement only prevents future use of the old VID; it does not erase past authentication records or undo information already disclosed.
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Keep the latest VID accessible in a secure place. An old saved VID may fail after you replace it. UIDAI’s Aadhaar online-services guidance says the latest VID is needed for the Aadhaar unlock flow.
What can you use a VID for?
According to UIDAI, VID can be used in place of the Aadhaar number for supported Aadhaar authentication, including OTP-based, biometric and demographic authentication, and e-KYC. Support depends on the particular service’s integration. Before starting, look for a VID option or ask the provider specifically whether it accepts VID-based authentication; a service accepting Aadhaar authentication in general does not necessarily accept VID in every workflow.
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VID is not a document you can present as a universal proof of identity. A provider may still need an identity document or a separate verification method. It also does not replace every Aadhaar-related service, nor is it automatically interchangeable with a downloadable Aadhaar copy.
Consent, privacy and handling
UIDAI says an agency using VID for authentication must explain the purpose and obtain your explicit consent. Giving a VID to a service, approving an authentication, sharing a document or e-KYC result, and allowing a provider to retain data are distinct actions. Read the purpose and screen or form before approving.
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- Use UIDAI’s official website, app or SMS channel, and verify the service before entering a VID.
- Do not send a VID to an unknown intermediary or share it casually by email or message.
- Never disclose an OTP to a caller claiming to be from UIDAI or a service provider.
- If a VID has been unnecessarily exposed, generate a replacement when the UIDAI interval allows it. Remember that this does not reverse earlier disclosures.
VID, masked Aadhaar and offline e-KYC compared
| Option | What it is | When it may fit |
|---|---|---|
| VID | A replaceable number used instead of Aadhaar in supported authentication and e-KYC flows. | When a service explicitly accepts VID-based authentication. |
| Masked Aadhaar | An Aadhaar document that hides the first eight digits and shows the last four. | When a provider needs an Aadhaar document and accepts the masked version. Acceptance depends on the service and its requirements. UIDAI describes masked Aadhaar here. |
| Offline e-KYC | A separate shareable identity-verification mechanism. | When a verifier supports an offline e-KYC package rather than live VID-based authentication. |
These options have different data flows. VID does not mean “offline paperless e-KYC”; ask the provider which method it supports and what information it requires.
Common VID problems and fixes
| Problem | What to check or do |
|---|---|
| SMS request fails | Send from the mobile number registered with Aadhaar; check GVID or RVID, the last four digits and the destination 1947. Check network and SMS availability, then try the official MyAadhaar route. |
| Your mobile number is not registered or is outdated | SMS and OTP routes cannot bypass the registered-mobile requirement. Update the number through an authorised Aadhaar enrolment/update centre, then use UIDAI’s services. |
| You forgot the VID | Send RVID plus the last four Aadhaar digits to 1947 from the registered mobile, or use another UIDAI-provided channel. |
| A service rejects the VID | Check for a mistyped or replaced VID. Ask whether that specific service flow supports VID; its integration may not. Retry only through the service’s official channel. |
| You need to unlock Aadhaar | Use the latest active VID, not one deactivated by a later replacement. Follow UIDAI’s current unlock instructions. |
| An agent offers to generate a VID for you | Generate or retrieve it yourself through UIDAI. UIDAI says another person or agency cannot do this on your behalf. |
| A provider wants to keep the VID | Ask for the reason and contact its official support channel; UIDAI regulations state that an entity must not store VID. |
VID is different from Aadhaar biometric locking. A VID substitutes for the Aadhaar number in supported authentication flows; biometric locking controls whether biometric authentication can be used. If a service does not accept your VID, do not give your full Aadhaar number to an unverified intermediary as a workaround.
Quick Recap
Official UIDAI references
- Virtual ID FAQ: validity, use and retrieval
- How to obtain a VID
- Can someone else generate a VID for you?
- Aadhaar services
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