Virtual ID Generator – Complete Guide 2025

Aadhaar has become India’s most important identity document, used in banking, telecom, government subsidies, and digital KYC. But with growing concerns about privacy and misuse of Aadhaar numbers, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) introduced a secure feature called the Virtual ID (VID).

The Virtual ID Generator is an online tool provided by UIDAI that allows Aadhaar holders to create a temporary, revocable 16-digit ID that can be used in place of their Aadhaar number for authentication.

This guide covers everything about Virtual ID Generator — what it is, how it works, how to generate and use it, its benefits, security features, and FAQs.

🔑 What is Virtual ID (VID)?

The Virtual ID (VID) is a 16-digit temporary code generated by UIDAI. It can be used for authentication instead of sharing your 12-digit Aadhaar number.

It is revocable and can be regenerated anytime.
Only one VID is valid at a time.
Service providers (banks, telecom, etc.) cannot store Aadhaar number — they must use VID.
VID provides the same authentication result as Aadhaar number.

👉 In short: VID = Masked Aadhaar for privacy.

📌 Why Was Virtual ID Introduced?

UIDAI launched VID to address:

Privacy Concerns – Prevent misuse of Aadhaar number.
Data Protection – Reduce risk of identity theft.
Limited Disclosure – Service providers only get necessary details.
User Control – Aadhaar holders can revoke/regenerate VID anytime.
Regulatory Compliance – Ensure KYC processes are Aadhaar-safe.

🛠️ Features of Aadhaar Virtual ID

16-digit random number (not sequential).
Temporary – Can be regenerated as many times as needed.
Linked with Aadhaar – Only UIDAI can map VID to Aadhaar.
No limit – Can be generated anytime, free of cost.
Accepted everywhere – Banks, telecom, eKYC, etc.
Privacy protection – Service providers cannot store VID.

📱 How to Generate Virtual ID (VID) Online

UIDAI provides multiple methods.

Method 1: UIDAI Portal

Visit UIDAI official portal.
Go to My Aadhaar → Virtual ID (VID) Generator.
Enter your Aadhaar number and captcha.
Click Send OTP.
Enter OTP received on registered mobile.
Select Generate VID or Retrieve VID.
A 16-digit VID will be displayed and also sent via SMS.

Method 2: mAadhaar App

Install mAadhaar app from Google Play Store / iOS.
Login with Aadhaar profile.
Select VID Generator option.
Generate or retrieve VID instantly.

Method 3: SMS Service

Send SMS in the format:
“GVID <last 4 digits of Aadhaar>” to 1947.
You’ll receive your VID via SMS.

👉 To retrieve existing VID:
“RVID <last 4 digits of Aadhaar>” to 1947.

📋 How to Use Virtual ID

VID can be used in all Aadhaar-based authentication and eKYC services.

Examples:

Bank Account KYC – Provide VID instead of Aadhaar.
SIM Card Verification – Telecom operators accept VID.
PAN Linking – Use VID on IT portal.
Subsidy Schemes – Submit VID to avail benefits.

🔐 Security Benefits of VID

Mask Aadhaar Number – Service providers cannot see Aadhaar number.
Limited Access – Only required details are shared (name, photo, address).
Revocable Anytime – Generate a new VID and old one becomes invalid.
Reduces Data Breach Risk – VID is temporary, unlike Aadhaar number.
User Control – Aadhaar holder decides when to change VID.

📊 Virtual ID vs Aadhaar Number

Feature	Aadhaar Number (UID)	Virtual ID (VID)
Digits	12	16
Permanent	Yes	No (revocable)
Privacy Level	Low	High
Use Case	Identity proof everywhere	Authentication & eKYC
Can be changed	No	Yes (multiple times)

📝 Limitations of Virtual ID

Cannot be memorized easily (16 digits).
Mobile number must be registered for OTP.
Offline services may still require Aadhaar number.

📌 Step-by-Step Example – Using VID for Bank KYC

Visit your bank branch or KYC portal.
Enter VID instead of Aadhaar number.
Authenticate with OTP or biometrics.
Bank gets only limited details – name, photo, age, last 4 digits of Aadhaar.
Aadhaar number remains hidden.

🛡️ How to Revoke/Regenerate VID

Log in to UIDAI portal or mAadhaar app.
Select Generate VID again.
New VID is generated instantly.
The old VID automatically expires.

📌 Documents Required

No physical documents required.
Only Aadhaar number and registered mobile are needed.

💰 Cost of Generating VID

Free of cost – UIDAI does not charge anything.

⏳ Validity of Virtual ID

Valid until you generate a new one.
No expiry by default, but can be regenerated anytime.

❌ Common Issues in VID Generation

OTP not received – Ensure mobile is linked with Aadhaar.
Wrong Aadhaar entered – Check digits carefully.
Server errors – Try later on UIDAI portal.
SMS not working – Use portal or app as alternative.

📌 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is Virtual ID (VID)?
A 16-digit temporary code used instead of Aadhaar number for authentication.

Q2. Is VID mandatory?
Yes, for most eKYC services since 2018.

Q3. How many times can I generate VID?
Unlimited times, free of cost.

Q4. Can service providers store VID?
No, storing VID is prohibited by UIDAI.

Q5. Does VID expire?
No fixed expiry, but you can regenerate anytime.

Q6. Can I use VID for income tax Aadhaar linking?
Yes, IT portal accepts VID.

Q7. What happens if I lose VID?
You can regenerate or retrieve it via UIDAI or SMS.

Q8. Is Virtual ID more secure than Aadhaar?
Yes, because Aadhaar number is masked and not shared.

✅ Final Thoughts

The Virtual ID Generator is one of UIDAI’s strongest privacy features, ensuring Aadhaar-based services remain secure. By generating and using a 16-digit VID, you can authenticate yourself without exposing your Aadhaar number.

It is free, easy to generate, and revocable anytime.
Works for banking, telecom, subsidies, and online KYC.
Provides greater privacy than directly sharing Aadhaar.

👉 In 2025, when digital identity is the backbone of India’s governance and financial system, using VID instead of Aadhaar is the smart way to stay safe online.