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Virtual ID (VID): protecting Aadhaar with a temporary number

11 Jul 2026 5 min read

Not everyone is comfortable sharing their Aadhaar number — and they don't have to. A Virtual ID (VID) lets a resident verify their identity without revealing the number at all.

What a VID is

A VID is a temporary, revocable 16-digit number that a resident generates and maps to their Aadhaar via the UIDAI portal. It can be used in place of the Aadhaar number for authentication and e-KYC, and the resident can regenerate it any time — so the actual Aadhaar number stays private.

Why it matters

  • Privacy — the resident shares a VID, not their Aadhaar number.
  • Revocable — a new VID can be generated, invalidating the old one.
  • Same result — verification works just as it does with the Aadhaar number.

VID and offline verification

Alongside VID, offline routes like OVSE and Paperless Offline e-KYC also avoid exposing the Aadhaar number. The theme is the same: verify identity, minimise data.

In Certopact Entry

Certopact Entry supports privacy-preserving Aadhaar verification and never stores the full Aadhaar number. General information, not legal advice.

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