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

 The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has introduced a valuable offering known as the 16-digit Virtual Identity (VID) Number for all residents. With this development, individuals will no longer be required to divulge their 12-digit Biometric Identification Number or Aadhaar Number in various situations. Instead, they can easily generate or retrieve their VID through the UIDAI Portal and utilize it for any necessary purposes. The Virtual ID will serve as a replacement for the Aadhaar Number in processes involving authentication and Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements. This innovative UIDAI Aadhaar Service is designed to enhance the privacy and security of the Aadhaar Database, providing individuals with added confidence in their personal information.

The 16-digit Virtual ID serves as a protective barrier within the Aadhaar Database, addressing the privacy apprehensions of the populace. Individuals can employ this Aadhaar Service for activities such as acquiring a new SIM card, replacing an existing SIM, accessing banking services, and obtaining a passport, substituting the need for their Biometric ID. The 16-digit VID is both revocable and time-limited, expiring after a specified duration. By using the VID Virtual ID, the accumulation and retention of personal and demographic information for all Aadhaar holders are restricted, thereby enhancing data privacy.

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 / Database Privacy & Security

To address privacy concerns, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has introduced a novel concept known as the Virtual ID for Aadhaar users. Consequently, Aadhaar holders can now generate a 16-digit random number via the UIDAI website. This Virtual ID is set to replace the Aadhaar number for authentication and Know Your Customer (KYC) purposes, serving as an additional layer of security for the Aadhaar Database.

This development empowers individuals to use the 16-digit Virtual ID for a wide range of purposes, including SIM verification, providing them with an alternative to sharing their 12-digit Biometric ID (Aadhaar Number). As a result, people now have the option to safeguard their Aadhaar Number.

UIDAI has initiated this concept to ensure the privacy and security of the Aadhaar database. Furthermore, this step will restrict the gathering and retention of personal and demographic data pertaining to 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 Digit VID) Mandatory for KYC for Security Concerns

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has officially announced that the 16-digit Virtual ID is the exclusive means for conducting the Know Your Customer (KYC) process. Consequently, individuals are no longer required to disclose their Aadhaar Card details, including the 12-digit Aadhaar Number, for authentication purposes. Instead, they can effortlessly use the Aadhaar Virtual ID, which can be conveniently generated or retrieved on the uidai.gov.in website. This strategic move aims to address concerns regarding the security of Aadhaar Card data and mitigate the risk of data breaches.

The UIDAI Virtual ID (VID) concept was introduced in April 2018 and is now fully operational. All Authentication User Agencies (AUA) have successfully transitioned to VID and UID tokens. The utilization of Aadhaar VID enhances database privacy and customer security, considering that over 100 crore individuals are enrolled with UIDAI and possess an Aadhaar Card.

The notification unequivocally states that the 16-digit Aadhaar Virtual ID has entirely replaced the 12-digit Aadhaar Number. People can easily generate or retrieve their VID in just three simple steps and employ this number for KYC purposes.

What is 16 Digit Virtual ID Concept & Security Features

In March, concerns arose regarding the security and privacy of our personal information stored in Aadhaar Cards. This concern stemmed from the fact that various companies and banks were requesting the 12-digit Aadhaar Card Number for authentication purposes in order to offer their services to customers. Individuals were sharing vital personal information, including biometrics, age, and fingerprints, without realizing that a breach of such data could pose a significant threat to their privacy.

In response to these privacy and security challenges, the central government introduced a novel concept in April 2018: the Virtual ID (VID). This Virtual ID is a 16-digit temporary random number and can be thought of as an "Aadhaar Clone." Now, anyone can provide this 16-digit VID number to complete the verification process instead of divulging their 12-digit Aadhaar Number. This initiative aims to bolster data privacy and security, assuring individuals that their sensitive information remains safeguarded.

But various banks and companies did not possess the required system to accept such IDs. So, Reserve Bank of India has given 3 months time to all such banks and companies to make changes in their system and to make it compatible for accepting Aadhaar Virtual ID. This time duration is now ended and VID system will be applicable across the country. Aadhaar Virtual Number can be utilized to open a Bank account, to avail Government Subsidy, Tatkaal Passport, Purchase of New Insurance policy etc.

Benefits of Virtual ID in India

All the residents are allowed to generate any number of Virtual ID’s. Thee previous VID will be auto-cancelled on the generation of new VID. This is an alternative option for Authentication and KYC Services which remains valid for a specific amount of time or till the time the user changes it.

This Virtual ID is similar in usage to the Aadhaar Number and the agencies can not utilize the VID’s for de-duplication. This new VID Number System will ensure security and privacy of the Aadhaar Card Holders. Till date, UIDAI has issued 119 crore Aadhaar Card across the country whose security and privacy needs to be maintained.