In brief: a virtual ID is a temporary 16-digit number that stands in for an Aadhaar number during authentication, so the Aadhaar number itself does not have to be shared.
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What a Virtual ID is
A Virtual ID (VID) is a temporary, revocable 16-digit number that UIDAI lets an Aadhaar holder generate and use in place of their actual Aadhaar number for authentication and eKYC purposes.
Why it exists
The VID lets a person complete an Aadhaar-based verification without disclosing their permanent Aadhaar number to the requesting entity. It can be regenerated at any time via the UIDAI portal, and the previous VID stops working once a new one is generated.
How a virtual ID works in verification
An Aadhaar holder can generate a virtual ID through UIDAI’s services. The virtual ID maps to their Aadhaar number, but the Aadhaar number cannot be worked out from it. The holder can use the virtual ID wherever authentication or e-KYC accepts it, and can regenerate it, which replaces the previous one.
Why businesses should support the virtual ID
- Customers who prefer not to share their Aadhaar number can still complete authentication.
- Your systems handle less sensitive data, which reduces your data-protection exposure.
- A leaked virtual ID is less damaging than a leaked Aadhaar number, because the holder can simply regenerate it.
Designing for the virtual ID
Where your flow accepts an Aadhaar number for authentication, offer the virtual ID as an equal option, with a one-line explanation of what it is and how to generate one. Validate that the input is 16 digits, and never store the virtual ID as if it were a permanent identifier, because the holder can change it at any time.
What the virtual ID does not change
The virtual ID changes what is shared, not who is verified. Authentication still confirms the same Aadhaar holder, and the rest of your KYC process stays the same. Details are published on the UIDAI website, including how holders generate and retrieve a virtual ID.
Related terms
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More about Virtual ID VID Aadhaar
To learn more about Virtual ID VID Aadhaar, explore our Aadhaar Verification API and Digilocker Verification API, or talk to our team. For the official source, see the UIDAI website.
