You can now access several
Aadhaar related services through SMS. The UIDAI (Unique Identification
Authority of India) recently has introduced a service called “Aadhaar Services
on SMS”. In this post, let us take a look at Aadhaar Services on SMS and how to
avail these Aadhaar Services via SMS.
Aadhaar Services on SMS is
expected to be especially useful for the users who don't have access to
internet, m-Aadhaar app, or UIDAI's website. Aadhaar number holders using
feature phones (without Internet connectivity) can also use these services. Aadhaar
card holders without access to the internet,
What is Aadhaar SMS Service?
UIDAI has launched a service
called “Aadhaar Services on SMS”.
These services enable
Aadhaar card holders, who do not have access to the internet, m-Aadhaar app, resident
portal, etc. to use several Aadhaar services.
The services you can get via
SMS are Virtual ID generation and retrieval, Aadhaar lock/unlock, etc. You can avail
these services by sending SMS from your registered mobile number to 1947.
Aadhaar Services offered by UIDAI through SMS
The following services are
offered by UIDAI via SMS:
1. Virtual ID Generation
2. Virtual ID Retrieval
3. Locking of Aadhaar
4. Unlocking of Aadhaar
5. Enable biometric lock
6. Disable biometric lock
Note that to avail these services
through SMS, you need to have your mobile number registered with Aadhaar. You
also need to get an OTP from the UIDAI, except for generation or retrieval of
virtual ID. To avail a service, you will have to send an SMS from your registered
mobile in a specified format to 1947.
How to avail Aadhaar Services via SMS
Given below is the detailed
explanation on SMS formats for availing these services:
1. Virtual ID (VID) Generation
To generate VID, you need to
send an SMS from your registered mobile to 1947 in the format:
GVID<SPACE>Aadhaar-Number-last-4-digits
For example, if your Aadhaar
card number is 1234-5678-9123 then SMS – GVID 9123 and send it to 1947. The UIDAI
will then send your 16-digit VID to you.
2. Virtual ID (VID) Retrieval
To retrieve your lost VID,
you need to send an SMS from your registered mobile to 1947 in the format:
RVID<SPACE>Aadhaar-Number-last-4-digits
For example, if your Aadhaar
number is 1234-5678-9123 then
SMS – RVID 9123 and send it
to 1947. You will then receive your 16-digit VID on your mobile.
3. Locking of Aadhaar
For locking Aadhaar Number, you
must have your Virtual ID pre-generated else your Aadhaar would not be locked.
To lock Aadhaar, two SMS are required to be sent.
First of all, you need to
send an SMS from registered mobile to 1947 in the below format to get OTP.
GETOTP<SPACE>Aadhaar
NUMBER-last-4-digits
You will then receive 6-digit
OTP on your mobile.
Next, you need to send an
SMS to 1947 in the below format:
LOCKUID<SPACE>Aadhaar
NUMBER-last 4-digits<SPACE>OTP-6-digits
Once your it is locked, you
will get a confirmation message from UIDAI. Note that you will not be able to
perform any Authentication using your Aadhaar Number when it is locked. However,
you can use your latest VID for any authentication.
4. Unlocking of Aadhaar
You can avail this service by
using Virtual ID only. To unlock it, two SMS are required to be sent.
First of all, you need to
send an SMS from your registered mobile to 1947 in the below format to get OTP.
GETOTP<SPACE>Virtual-ID-last-6-digits
The UIDAI will then send you
6-digit OTP on your registered mobile.
Next, you need to send the second
SMS to 1947 in the below format:
UNLOCKUID<SPACE>Virtual-ID-last-6-digits<SPACE>OTP-6-digits
Once it is sent by you, you
will get a confirmation message from UIDAI. Now you can use it for any
authentication.
5. Enable Biometric Lock
If Aadhaar is locked, then you
can not avail this service. To enable biometric lock, two SMS are required to
be sent. You can avail this service by using your Aadhaar number or VID.
Using your Aadhaar Number
To get OTP, send an SMS from
your registered mobile to 1947 in the format:
GETOTP<SPACE>Aadhaar-Number-last-4-digits
You will receive 6-digit OTP
from UIDAI.
Next, send the second SMS from
your registered mobile to 1947 in the below format to enable the biometric lock.
ENABLEBIOLOCK<SPACE>Aadhaar-Number-last-4-digits<SPACE>OTP-6-digits
Once it is sent by you, the
UIDAI will enable biometric lock. You will also get the confirmation from UIDAI.
Using your Virtual ID
You can also use your VID to
enable biometric lock. Just follow the above procedure and send the SMS in the
below formats:
Format 1:
GETOTP<SPACE>Virtual-ID-last-6-digits
Format 2:
ENABLEBIOLOCK<SPACE>VIrtual-ID-last-6-digits<SPACE>OTP-6-digits
6. Disable Biometric Lock
Note that if Aadhaar is
locked then you cannot use this service. To disable biometric lock, you need to
send two SMS. You can use this service either by using your Aadhaar number or VID.
Using your Aadhaar Number
To get OTP, you need to send
the SMS registered mobile to 1947 in the format:
GETOTP<SPACE>Aadhaar-Number-last-4-digits
You will receive 6-digit OTP
on your mobile number from UIDAI.
Next step, you are required
to send SMS from your mobile to 1947 in the below format to disable biometric
lock.
DISABLEBIOLOCK<SPACE>Aadhaar-Number-last-4-digits<SPACE>OTP-6-digits
Now, the UIDAI will disable biometric
lock. You will receive a confirmation from UIDAI for the same.
Using your Virtual ID
To disable biometric lock, you
can also use your VID. Just follow the above procedure of sending SMS in the
below formats:
Format 1: GETOTP<SPACE>Virtual-ID-last-6-digits
Format 2: DISABLEBIOLOCK<SPACE>VIrtual-ID-last-6-digits<SPACE>OTP-6-digits
Charges for using Aadhaar Services on SMS
Nothing is mentioned on the UIDAI official website about the charges. However, your telecom service provider may
charge you for sending messages.
Also read: Download Aadhaar Card / E-Aadhaar, Find Lost Aadhaar Number (UID) & Enrolment Number (EID)
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