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    Aadhaar services that you can avail via SMS

    Synopsis

    These services are useful for those individuals who do not have access to the Internet, UIDAI's website or m-Aadhaar app.

    sms-mobile-gettyGetty Images
    To avail these services though SMS, your mobile number must be registered against your Aadhaar.
    The UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India) has rolled out certain Aadhaar-related services that be accessed via SMS.

    This is especially useful for those Aadhaar card holders who do not have access to the Internet, UIDAI's website or m-Aadhaar app. Even those with feature phones, i.e., without Internet connectivity can use these services.

    The services which are offered by UIDAI via SMS are as follows:
    A) Generation of Virtual ID
    B) Retrieving Virtual ID
    C) Locking of Aadhaar biometric
    D) Unlocking of Aadhaar biometric
    E) Locking of Aadhaar number
    F) Unlocking of Aadhaar

    To avail these services via SMS, your mobile number must be registered against your Aadhaar in the UIDAI's records. Also, except for generation or retrieval of virtual ID, you will first need to get a one-time password (OTP) from the UIDAI.

    To avail a specific service via SMS, you will be required to send SMS in a specified format to 1947.

    Given below is the process of locking and unlocking Aadhaar number via SMS:

    A. For locking Aadhaar number
    Before locking your Aadhaar number, there is prerequisite condition that you must satisfy - you need to have a virtual ID. If you have not generated the virtual ID, then your Aadhaar number will not be locked.

    For locking your Aadhaar number, two SMSes are required to be sent. Here is what you need to do.

    1. Send SMS from registered mobile number to 1947 to get OTP. The SMS must be sent in the format: GETOTPLast four digits of Aadhaar number. For example, if your Aadhaar number is 1234 5678 4321, then SMS will be sent as GETOTP 4321.

    2. Once the SMS is sent by you, UIDAI will send you 6-digit OTP via SMS.

    3. You have to send a second SMS to lock the Aadhaar. The SMS to lock your Aadhaar number will be sent as follows: LOCKUIDLast four digits of Aadhaar number 6 digit OTP number.

    Once the SMS is sent, the UIDAI will lock your Aadhaar number. You will also get the confirmation message for your request. Once your Aadhaar number is locked, you will not be able to perform any authentication (demographic, biometric or OTP-based) using your Aadhaar number. You will have to use your virtual ID for any authentication.

    Remember if your mobile number is registered with more than one Aadhaar number, then instead of last four digits of your Aadhaar number, you will have to send the last eight digits of your Aadhaar number.

    B. For unlocking your Aadhaar number
    Here, too, you will have to send two SMSes. To unlock your Aadhaar number, you will be required to use your virtual ID.

    Given below is the process to unlock your Aadhaar number.
    1. Send SMS from registered mobile number to 1947 to get OTP. The SMS must be sent in the format: GETOTPLast six digits of your Virtual ID number.

    2. Once the SMS is sent by you, UIDAI will send you a 6-digit OTP via SMS.

    3. The second SMS will be sent to unlock your Aadhaar number. The second SMS to unlock your Aadhaar number will be sent as follows: UNLOCKUIDLast six digits of Virtual ID 6 digit OTP number.

    Once the SMS is sent to UIDAI, you will get a confirmation message for the same. Once your Aadhaar number is unlocked, you can use the same to perform the authentication functions.

    Similarly, if your mobile number is linked to more than one mobile number, then instead of last six digits of your virtual ID, you will be required to send last 10 digits of your mobile number.

    C. For generating virtual ID
    To general a virtual ID, you need to send an SMS to 1947.

    From your registered mobile number, send an SMS to 1947 in the format: GVIDLast four digits of your Aadhaar number

    Once the SMS is sent, UIDAI will send you an SMS containing your 16-digit virtual ID.

    D. For retrieving virtual ID
    In case you have lost your virtual ID, you can retrieve the same by sending an SMS.

    You will be required to send SMS in the format RVID Last four digits of your Aadhaar number from your registered mobile number to 1947.

    E. Locking/Unlocking of Biometric services
    Although UIDAI's website mentions that an individual can lock or unlock his/her biometrics using SMS services, they are yet to roll-out the format in which SMS is required to be sent for availing this service.

    Charges
    Though UIDAI's website does not mention anything about the charges, your telecom operator may charge you for sending the SMS.

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    Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News.

    ...more
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