What is VID in Aadhaar. How Do I Generate One?

If you’ve had to complete an e-KYC for bank account opening or insurance policy purchases, it’s possible that you may have been asked to provide a VID, or a Virtual ID. In this article, we explore what it is, why it’s needed, and how to get yours.

What is the VID number in Aadhaar? 

The VID is a security feature. It is a temporary and random 16-digit number that is mapped with an Aadhaar number. If you generate a VID linked to your Aadhaar number, you can use it instead of your actual 12-digit Aadhaar whenever any kind of authentication or KYC is required.

That said, you cannot trace back the original Aadhaar by simply knowing the virtual ID. This makes the VID a very safe and secure option in case you do not want to reveal your Aadhaar number to a third party but still need to avail of certain services or facilities from them.

The VID generated and mapped to an Aadhaar number is revocable and has a minimum validity period of 1 calendar day. After this period, you can generate a new VID, and the old VID will be deactivated.

What is the purpose of the VID in Aadhaar? 

The virtual ID protects your privacy by allowing you to share your VID instead of your actual Aadhaar number. This comes in handy when you need to verify your identity or access certain services that require Aadhaar authentication. The VID is linked to your Aadhaar number and can be used in the same way as the actual 12-digit number.

However, it cannot be used to track your financial activities or transactions. So, it effectively provides an additional layer of security and privacy when you use your Aadhaar to avail different services and benefits.

You can use your virtual ID for different purposes, some of which are listed below:

• To avail of government subsidies
• To open a bank account
• To apply for a tatkal passport
• To buy an insurance policy
• To get an LPG gas connection

How to generate your virtual ID? 

You can generate a VID mapped to your Aadhaar number on the official website of the UIDAI itself. Here is a step-by-step guide to how you can go about this.

Step 1 

Visit the official UIDAI website at the following link: UIDAI 

Step 2 

Head to the ‘My Aadhaar’ tab, and from the list of Aadhaar services available there, select ‘Virtual ID (VID) Generator.’

Step 3 

In the ‘Generate or Retrieve VID’ window that pops up, choose the ‘Generate VID’ option.

Step 4 

Then, enter the details of your Aadhaar number and the captcha code as shown on the web page.

Step 5 

Click on the ‘Send OTP’ option.

Step 6 

Enter the OTP received on your registered mobile number.

Step 7 

On submission of the OTP, you will receive the VID mapped to your Aadhaar on your registered mobile number.

With this, your VID should be generated and ready for use.

Some important things to keep in mind about the virtual ID in Aadhaar 

• The Virtual ID (VID) is a revocable number that you can cancel at any time.
• It is valid for one day before it expires automatically, and it can be re-generated as many times as needed.
• It can be generated free of cost and without payment of any online charges.
• Your Aadhaar number cannot be tracked using the VID.
• You can generate the VID online from the UIDAI government's website using an OTP that will be sent to your registered mobile number.
• You can use the VID to download a digital copy of your Aadhaar.
• No private or government institution is allowed to save your VID.
• Institutions and service providers should not refuse to use a VID for authentication or KYC in the place of your original Aadhaar number.

Conclusion 

This sums up the key details about what the VID in your Aadhaar is and how you can generate it online. Make sure that you do not disclose your Aadhaar number to a third party in case you are using the VID for extra security. This will ensure that the purpose of using the VID is upheld. Also, remember that in case you regenerate a new VID, the old one will be deactivated. So, it’s best to remain aware about the latest VID you have generated, and use the same in place of your Aadhaar.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

Is Aadhaar VID permanent? 

No, the Virtual ID (VID) is a temporary number that is valid for a limited period of time. It is intended to be used as a substitute for your 12-digit Aadhaar number when you need to verify your identity or access any services that require Aadhaar authentication or verification.

Are Aadhaar UID and VID the same? 

No, the Aadhaar UID (Unique Identification Number) and VID (Virtual ID) are not the same. The UID is a 12-digit number that is assigned to an individual as part of the Aadhaar enrollment process. It is a unique identification number that the Indian government issues to every individual resident of India through the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). The VID, on the other hand, is a temporary, 16-digit, randomly generated number that can be used in place of the Aadhaar number for various purposes, such as authentication and e-KYC (Know Your Customer). In short, the Aadhaar number is permanent, while the VID is temporary and is only valid for a day.