You can use VID or masked Aadhaar if you don’t want to reveal your Aadhaar number. Here’s how to get VID or Masked Aadhaar.
For almost all your official jobs or places where you need to show proof of identity, you need to show your Aadhaar and provide your Aadhaar number. However, not everyone is comfortable revealing their unique 12-digit Aadhaar number. In such a situation, you can use VID or Masked Aadhaar. Reporting the same, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) tweeted: “If you don’t want to reveal your #Aadhaar number, you can use VID or Masked Aadhaar. To get VID/Masked Aadhaar, please download Aadhaar from here: https:// myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in/genricDownloadAadhaar”.
Before I tell you more details, for the uninitiated, the Aadhaar card is one of the most important documents used to prove your identity and carry out official work. In addition, it is very important that all the details and information mentioned in it, such as your name, address, date of birth, among others, are correct. An Aadhaar card comprises the Aadhaar number which is issued by UIDAI to residents of India after complying with the verification process established by the Authority.
Do you know what is Masked Aadhaar or Virtual ID (VID)? According to UIDAI, the Mask Aadhaar option allows you to mask your Aadhaar number on your downloaded Aadhaar. Replace the first eight digits of the Aadhaar number with characters like ‘XXXX-XXXX’ and only the last 4 digits of the Aadhaar number can be seen.
Whereas VID is a temporary 16-digit revocable random number assigned to the Aadhaar number. The VID can be used instead of the Aadhaar number whenever e-KYC or authentication services are performed. Authentication can be done using VID in a similar way to using Aadhaar number. It is not possible to derive the Aadhaar number from VID.
How can you get VID?
VID can only be generated by the holder of the Aadhaar number. They can also replace (generate a new VID) their VID from time to time after the minimum validity period set by UIDAI (currently set as 1 calendar day, i.e. a new VID will be generated after 00:00 on the following day). ). At any given time, only one VID will be valid for an Aadhaar number.
UIDAI will provide various options to Aadhaar number holders to generate their VID, retrieve their VID in case they forget it, and replace their VID with a new number. These options will be available through the UIDAI resident portal, eAadhaar download, Aadhaar enrollment center, mAadhaar mobile app, etc.
Currently, the VID generation facility is available on the UIDAI resident portal. Whenever necessary, VID will be sent to residents via SMS on the registered mobile number.
VID can also be generated by sending an SMS to the Aadhaar helpline number 1947. The resident will need to type “GVIDLast 4 digits of Aadhaar number” and send it to 1947 via the registered mobile number, according to UIDAI.
