Guide

Aadhaar Virtual ID (VID): what it is and how to generate it

Length: 16 digits
Cost: Free
Valid: Until you generate a new one

Hiding part of an Aadhaar number on a copy in DigiSafe

A VID is a 16-digit number linked to your Aadhaar that you can give instead of your Aadhaar number for authentication and e-KYC. Your Aadhaar number cannot be worked out from it, and generating one is free.

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Checked against the official sources on 28 October 2026. DigiSafe is a private app, not connected with these offices.

A real moment

“A KYC form asks for your Aadhaar number. You would rather not hand the full 12 digits to one more company that may keep it for years.”

Generate it free on myAadhaar's Generate / Retrieve Virtual ID page with an OTP to your registered mobile, or send GVID followed by the last 4 digits of your Aadhaar to 1947 by SMS from that mobile. Give the 16-digit VID wherever an agency accepts it in place of your Aadhaar number.

What you can do with a VID, from UIDAI's pages

What you can do with a VID, from UIDAI's pages
Task	Does a VID work?
Aadhaar authentication, by OTP or biometrics	Yes
e-KYC	Yes, where the agency supports VID
Download your e-Aadhaar	Yes
Check your authentication history	Yes
Lock your Aadhaar number	Yes, and you need one first
Order a PVC card	No: the order form takes Aadhaar number, enrolment ID or SID

UIDAI's own rules and steps

Free, online or by SMS

Where it works, and where it does not

Length

16 digits

Cost

Free

Valid

Until you generate a new one

Needs

A registered mobile number

What a VID is

UIDAI calls the VID a temporary, revocable 16-digit random number mapped to your Aadhaar number, which you can use in its place for authentication and e-KYC. Your Aadhaar number cannot be worked out from it. Only one VID is valid at a time, only you can generate it, and UIDAI's rules say agencies must not store it in their systems.

Generate it on myAadhaar

Open Generate / Retrieve Virtual ID on myAadhaar, choose Generate VID, enter your Aadhaar number and verify with the OTP sent to your registered mobile. The VID is sent to that mobile by SMS. myAadhaar's VID page says generating, retrieving or replacing a VID through UIDAI's channels is free, and that generating one is optional.

Or by SMS to 1947

From your registered mobile, send GVID, a space and the last 4 digits of your Aadhaar to 1947, for example GVID 1234. To get your current VID again, send RVID and the same digits. UIDAI says no OTP is needed for these SMS requests. A registered mobile is still required, online or by SMS.

How long it lasts

UIDAI defines no expiry: your VID stays valid until you generate a new one, which switches the old one off. UIDAI lets you replace it only after a minimum validity period, currently 1 calendar day (after midnight). myAadhaar's VID page says the current VID can be used multiple times until you generate a new one.

Where you can use it

Use it in place of your Aadhaar number for OTP or biometric authentication, e-KYC, downloading your e-Aadhaar and checking your authentication history. UIDAI's regulations, updated in December 2025, require agencies that use Aadhaar authentication to offer a VID option, In practice, you can use it only where the agency's form or app accepts a VID. The PVC card order form does not take a VID.

You need one to lock your Aadhaar

Before you can lock your Aadhaar number itself, UIDAI requires a valid 16-digit VID, and you unlock with your latest VID. UIDAI's regulations and myAadhaar's lock page say you can still authenticate with your VID while your Aadhaar is locked, though UIDAI's authentication FAQ says VID authentication also fails until you unlock, so check with the agency first. If you only want to stop fingerprint, iris and face use, the biometric lock is the lighter step.

Keep it where you can find it

Note your current VID in DigiSafe's notes, next to your Aadhaar copy, encrypted on your phone. If you lose it, retrieve it on myAadhaar or with RVID by SMS. DigiSafe is a private app, not connected with UIDAI, and free today, with no ads.

Step by step

1
Make sure your mobile number is registered with Aadhaar.
2
Open Generate / Retrieve Virtual ID on myAadhaar, or use SMS.
3
Choose Generate VID and verify with the OTP, or SMS GVID and the last 4 digits to 1947.
4
Read the 16-digit VID in the SMS you receive.
5
Give the VID instead of your Aadhaar number where it is accepted.
6
Lost it? Retrieve it, or generate a new one after a day.

Questions people ask

What is Aadhaar VID?+

A temporary, revocable 16-digit number linked to your Aadhaar that you can use instead of your Aadhaar number for authentication and e-KYC. Your Aadhaar number cannot be worked out from it.

How do I generate an Aadhaar VID?+

On myAadhaar's Generate / Retrieve Virtual ID page, choose Generate VID, enter your Aadhaar number and the OTP. Or send GVID and the last 4 digits of your Aadhaar to 1947 by SMS from your registered mobile.

Is the Aadhaar VID free?+

Yes. myAadhaar's VID page says generating, retrieving or replacing a VID through UIDAI's channels is completely free of cost.

Does a VID expire?+

No expiry is defined. It stays valid until you generate a new one, which you can do once it has been active for at least one day.

Can I use a VID instead of Aadhaar for KYC?+

Yes, for e-KYC and authentication where the agency supports VID. UIDAI's regulations require agencies using Aadhaar authentication to provide a VID option.

How do I retrieve a forgotten VID?+

Choose Retrieve on myAadhaar's Generate / Retrieve Virtual ID page, or send RVID and the last 4 digits of your Aadhaar to 1947 from your registered mobile.

Can I generate a VID without a registered mobile number?+

No. UIDAI says your mobile number must be registered with Aadhaar to generate or retrieve a VID, online or by SMS.

Is DigiSafe connected with UIDAI?+

No. DigiSafe is a private app. Generate your VID only on myAadhaar or by SMS to UIDAI's 1947.

Where this comes from

Official sources, dated.

Every official detail on this page comes from the pages listed here, last checked on 28 October 2026. Fees, rules and links can change after that date. DigiSafe is a private app, not connected with these offices, and cannot guarantee them, so check the official page before you pay or rely on them.