UIDAI Aadhaar Services – How To Generate Virtual ID Number at uidai.gov.in

 The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has made available a unique 16-digit Virtual Identification Number (VID) to all residents. Now, people won't have to reveal their 12-digit biometric ID/Aadhaar number anywhere. They can simply generate/get a VID from the UIDAI portal and can use it anywhere. The virtual ID will replace the Aadhaar number for authentication and KYC purposes. This UIDAI Aadhaar service will ensure the confidentiality and security of the Aadhaar database.

16 Digit Virtual ID acts as a security layer in Aadhaar Database and will fulfill the privacy concerns of the people. People can use this Aadhar Service in New SIM Purchase, SIM Replacement, Banking Facilities, Passport etc. as a replacement to Biometric ID. 16 digit VID is revocable and expires after a limited time period. VID Virtual ID limits the storage and collection of personal and demographic data of all the Aadhaar Holders.

How to Generate 16 Digit Virtual ID Number

The complete procedure to generate / retrieve Virtual ID has been specified below:-

STEP 1: Firstly visit the official website of Unique Identification Authority of India at https://uidai.gov.in/

STEP 2: On the homepage, scroll over the “My Aadhaar” section and then click at the “Virtual ID (VID) Generator” link under “Aadhaar Services” sub section.

STEP 3: Direct Link – All the candidates can directly click the link to generate / retrieve Virtual ID (VID) – https://resident.uidai.gov.in/vid-generation

STEP 4: The UIDAI Generate / Retrieve Virtual ID (VID) Page will appear as follows:-

STEP 5: Here candidates have to enter the “Aadhaar Number” and “Security Code” and then click at the “Send OTP” button to get an OTP on the Registered Mobile Number.

STEP 6: Then candidates can enter their One time Password (OTP) and then click at the “Generate VID” or “Retrieve VID” and click at “Submit” button.

STEP 7: Finally, Generated 16 digit VID will be sent on the Registered Mobile Number of the Resident.

Virtual ID is a temporary 16 Digit Random Number which gives limited information like Name, Photograph and Address to other authorized agencies.

UIDAI Virtual ID (VID) - Aadhaar Card / Privacy and Database Security

To address privacy concerns, UIDAI has introduced a whole new concept of virtual ID for Aadhaar users. Then, Aadhaar owners can now generate this 16-digit random number from the UIDAI website. Therefore, Virtual ID will replace Aadhar number for authentication and KYC purposes. This virtual ID will act as a layer of security for the Aadhaar database.

Users can now use this 16-digit virtual ID for various purposes including SIM card verification. Now, people can use it to replace sharing their 12-digit biometric ID (Aadhaar number). Therefore, it will give people another option to not share their Aadhaar number.

UIDAI initiated this concept to ensure the privacy and security of the Aadhaar database. In addition, this decision will also limit the collection and storage of personal and demographic data of Aadhaar cardholders.

UIDAI Virtual ID Details

The important features and highlights of this new system are as follows:-

1. Virtual ID is a temporary 16 digit Random Number. This Virtual ID will give limited information like name, address and photograph only to other authorized agencies like mobile companies.
2. There is no limit on generation of Virtual ID’s. Any Person can generate any number of such ID’s.
3. Moreover after generation of a fresh ID, the previous ID gets auto-cancelled.
4. Central govt. is going to make the acceptance of Virtual ID compulsory from 1 June 2018 for all agencies, which makes use of Aadhaar Card for authentication.
5. This revocable 16 digit number will get mapped on the Aadhaar Number of person. Accordingly, Aadhaar issuing body will start accepting these numbers from 1 March 2018.
6. People can use this number as an alternative option for aunthentication and KYC services.
7. Subsequently, this number will remain valid for specified amount of time or till the time user changes it.
8. Candidates can generate this ID themselves. However, no other agency is permitted to generate this ID on behalf of the Aadhaar holder.
9. UIDAI has also started “Limited KYC” process. In this, UIDAI will provide limited amount of information about the users to any unauthorized agency (providing a specific service).
10. Furthermore, all the agencies which are unable to migrate to this newly introduced concept within specific deadlines will have to face financial disincentives.

UIDAI has now started giving instructions to all the concerned agencies about the implementation of this Virtual ID.

UIDAI Virtual ID Working

The working of this Id is explained as follows:-

• The last digit of 16 digits in VID is a checksum which uses Verhoeff algorithm similar as used in Aadhaar number.
• At a particular time, only 1 active and valid VID will exist for any Aadhaar number.
• Verhoeff algorithm is checksum formula for error detection which was developed by Dutch Mathematician Jacobus Verhoeff in 1969.
• People can use this VID instead of Aadhaar Number for authentication or KYC Services. Its usage is similar as Aadhaar Number.
• Agencies are not permitted to use VID for de-duplication.
• VID is revocable and after a specific validity period it get replaced with a new one.

Till date, UIDAI has issued around 119 crore Aadhaar Cards. Central govt. has taken this step after the security concerns arising for the use of Aadhar Cards. As per the reports in newspaper, Aadhaar data of around billion users was available just for Rs. 500. So, central govt. has decided to remove flaws in Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) system.

UIDAI Aadhaar Virtual ID (16 digits VID) Required for KYC for security

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) announced that only a 16-digit virtual ID can be used for Know Your Customer (KYC) processes. Now, people will no longer have to provide their Aadhaar card details including a 12-digit Aadhaar number for authentication purposes. Instead, they can just use the Aadhaar virtual ID which can be easily generated/retrievable from uidai.gov.in. This decision will address security issues of Aadhaar tokens such as data breaches.

The UIDAI Virtual ID (VID) concept was introduced in April 2018 and the concept is live now. All Authentication User Authorities (AUA) have now been migrated to VID and UID tokens. This usage of Aadhar VID will ensure privacy and security of customer database as more than 100 million people have registered UIDAI and have Aadhaar card.

It is clear from the announcement that the virtual Aadhaar ID (16 digits) has completely replaced the Aadhaar number (12 digits). People can generate/retrieve VID in 3 simple steps and use that number for KYC.

What is the concept of 16-digit virtual ID and security features

In March, there was a privacy-related security incident with our personal data in the Aadhaar Card. Since many companies and banks require a 12-digit Aadhaar card number for authentication, it is necessary to provide services to its customers. People give out their important personal data like biometrics, age, fingerprints without knowing that if these data gets leaked it can become a big problem for their privacy .

So, to ensure data privacy and security, the central government introduced a new concept of virtual ID in April 2018. It is a temporary random number consisting of 16 digits and can called "Aadhaar Clone". Anyone can now provide this 16-digit VID number to complete the verification process instead of the 12-digit Aadhaar number.

But many banks and companies do not have the necessary systems in place to accept these credentials. So Reserve Bank of India has given all these banks and companies 3 months time to make changes to their system and make it compatible to accept Aadhaar Virtual ID. Currently, this period has ended and the VID system will be applied nationwide. The Aadhaar virtual number can be used to open a bank account, get government benefits, a Tatkaal passport, buy a new insurance policy, and more.

Benefits of Virtual ID in India

All Residents are allowed to create any number of Virtual IDs. The previous VID will be automatically destroyed when creating a new VID. This is an alternative to authentication and KYC services that remain valid for a specific period of time or until the user changes it.

This virtual ID is used similar to the Aadhaar number and agencies cannot use the VID for deduplication. This new VID numbering system will ensure the security and privacy of Aadhaar cardholders. So far, UIDAI has issued 119 Aadhaar tokens nationwide with confidentiality and security to be maintained.