The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has introduced 16-digit Virtual ID (VID), which is a random number mapped with the Aadhaar number. This can be used instead of Aadhaar number wherever eKYC compliance is needed. You can generate 16-digit VID on UIDAI website here or mobile app by entering your 12-digit Aadhaar number (UID), security code and OTP that you receive on your mobile number attached. You can generate a VID once a day, and there is no expiry period.
This will be operational with its Authentication User Agencies (AUAs) which have migrated to VID and UID Token. UIDAI said that telecom companies and e-sign provider AUAs not using API version 2.5 and e-KYC API 2.5 starting July 1 shall be charged Rs. 0.20 for every transaction performed. This charge will be waived AUA has fully migrated to APIs 2.5 by July 31. All the other AUAs including banks should migrate to VID and UID Token using Auth API 2.5 and e-KYC API 2.5 by August 31.
UIDAI CEO Ajay Bhushan Pandey said that VID is a critical security measure for protecting residents’ privacy and their Aadhaar numbers. With the introduction of Virtual ID, an Aadhaar holder will have an option of not sharing his/her Aadhaar number and can generate a Virtual ID to share with AUAs to perform Aadhaar based authentication.
He also said that UIDAI is further in the process of review of the classification of Global and Local AUAs based on the security and risk assessment of the authentication process of the AUAs. UIDAI plans to introduce other forms of Aadhaar data verification and the same may be provided to AUAs for identity verification in lieu of global or local, as per review and assessment.
Earlier this year UIDAI said that it will introduce face authentication for Aadhaar verification from July 1st that will available alongside iris or fingerprint scan as an option for verification. Few weeks back it confirmed that it has been delayed by one month to August 1st. It also said that implementation of Face Authentication is crucial for inclusive authentication and enhanced security of authentication ecosystem.