Aadhaar Virtual ID: Its Need and Importance

Every individual is required to submit proof of their identity, and among all the options, Aadhaar is considered to be among the most important. People make sure that they carry their aadhaar cards in all situations.

All we need is an aadhaar number to obtain details of an individual. There is the possibility that the information may be misused at times, so how can we protect it? UIDAI offers a solution for this, called Aadhaar Virtual ID. This article explains what a VID is, its benefits and uses towards cyber security and safety

What is Aadhaar virtual ID?

VID is an alternative to protect information in order to reduce cyber-related fraud. Aadhaar Virtual ID is a temporary 16 digit number, that is mapped along with the aadhaar number.

This aadhaar VID, can be used in places where aadhaar authentication is required. This acts as a temporary aadhaar number and can be generated by an individual as many times as needed.

The generated VID number is valid for 24 hours, and it deactivates once a new number is generated. In order to limit access to KYC-related information, this VID is the most appropriate option.

You may wonder if this VID consists of ideal information like the Aadhaar number. VID also consists of valid information such as the,

• Name of the individual
• Residential address
• Photograph
• Biometric scan - retina and fingerprints

Through the Aadhaar VID, limited access to KYC information can be granted to third parties.

What is the need of VID?

The details that are contained in aadhaar is huge. In recent days, the government has made it mandatory to link all documents to aadhaar. Though this makes it easier for the government to track details, it is not safe to share your aadhaar number at all times.

One of the main purposes of the VID number is to mask the information stored in the aadhaar number. Using this VID number, you can verify your identity at places like banks, finance, and mobile numbers, for example.

VID number can be used in various other places such as,

• It can be used to get government subsidies in some places.
• One can apply for a Tatkaal passport by providing a VID number.
• Banking operations such as opening a bank account, obtaining a loan can be done using this number.
• Health insurance policies, life insurance policies and other schemes can be opened with the help of Aadhaar VID number.

How does VID work?

The generated VID is masked along with the aadhaar number. This is usually a random 16 digit number like the unique ID, which keeps changing every time a new number is generated.

Since the number is mapped with aadhaar number, it masks the information that is present in the aadhaar number. So when someone who has the VID, tries to verify your identity the aadhaar number is not exposed.

The authentication and verification can be done by the agencies by just looking at the basic information of the individual and not the aadhaar number. This also prevents from not storing the information of VID or aadhaar.

Features of Aadhaar VID

Generating this virtual ID comes with some unique features that make it convenient to be used in various places.

1. Aadhaar VID is a temporary number, and so it can be generated many times. Each time a new unique number is generated.
2. This gives very limited access to the people who try to access your information linked with the aadhaar number.
3. As this VID number is a masked aadhaar number, cyber frauds can be reduced to a substantial extent.
4. There is no limit to generate VID, and usually a VID is valid until a new one is generated.
5. This number can be used in places where authentication and verification of aadhaar number is required.
6. Using VID it is not possible to identify or trace the aadhaar number of an individual.
7. Since VID is not a permanent number, it can be easily canceled when no longer needed.
8. The number can only be generated on the UIDAI website, and requires OTP verification before generation.
9. The government or private agency that obtained your VID has no rights to use it in the future.
10. When an individual provides a VID in place of aadhaar number for KYC authentication, the agencies cannot deny it.
11. When agencies obtain VID for authentication, they must obtain the users' consent.

Benefits of Aadhaar VID

It is not mandatory to generate or furnish a VID number for authentication purposes. But using a VID has a lot of benefits in terms of convenience and safety.

Limited access to KYC: KYC verification is an important step in various processes. The authenticity of the client's identity is ensured this way. When you provide your Aadhaar number, you expose your identity and so you can use the VID.

Protecting data: Misusing and stealing data has become very easy in the digital world. Since aadhaar contains all major information, it is better to provide a VID number.

Reduces burden: The government announced that people can furnish VID instead of their aadhaar number for verification. This reduces the burden on people, when agencies demand for aadhaar number.

Improves security: Since VID is a temporary 16 digit number, you can generate and deactivate whenever needed. This provides high security to your aadhaar number.

Steps to generate Aadhaar Virtual ID

Generation of Aadhaar VID is an easy and simple process which can be done online.

1. Visit the official UIDAI website.
2. Click on my Aadhaar and under aadhaar services you will find VID generator.
3. When the myAadhaar page appears, click on login.
4. Enter your 12 digit aadhaar number and the image captcha code to generate a OTP to your registered mobile number.
5. Enter the OTP and click Login.
6. Two options will appear.
    a) Generate VID - To obtain a new VID number.
    b) Retrieve VID - To cancel an existing VID number.
7. Choose the option, and the VID number will be sent to your registered mobile number.

Steps to generate VID via SMS

In places with no internet connection, you can generate VID via SMS. All you have to do is type “GVID last four digits of your aadhaar number”. For example, GVID 2134.

Send this message to 1947 from your registered mobile number. You will receive an SMS back with the VID.

Validity of VID:

There is no specific time period or date that marks the expiration of VID. The generated VID remains valid once a new VID is generated by the user. At the same time, one can even retrieve the VID if it is no longer required.

The time period to apply for new VID is one day. You can’t generate multiple VID on a single day. The generated VID can be retrieved within 24 hours if necessary. Once a new number is generated, the old ID expires automatically.

One does not have to worry if they forget their VID. When you cancel your existing VID, the last VID will be sent to your registered phone number. Similarly you can also generate a new number if you forgot or lost the previous one.

Conclusion

UIDAI provides us with a wide range of convenient services that can be used in many situations. Booking an aadhaar enrollment centre, updating aadhaar, checking status and much more operations can be done online at UIDAI website.

At times, when we forget our aadhaar we can also easily generate an e-copy with the help of E-Aadhaar. Among these, we now have Aadhaar Virtual ID.

When we have an alternative option for saving information, it is better to pick that. Here aadhaar VID is an excellent alternative that can be provided in places where aadhaar has to be provided.

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