Aadhaar card is considered to be highly safe. Yet, the times we live in, extra measures at the individual level, must be taken. If misplaced or lost, your Aadhaar card can be misused by someone. However, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has a feature, which allows you to lock and unlock your Aadhaar number. 

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Once you have locked your Aadhaar number, then authentication services using any method, i.e. demographic, biometric, or OTP (one-time password) based, cannot be done using Aadhaar number. After this, your Aadhaar number can be used for authentication services only after you have unlocked it. 

Before you lock your Aadhaar number, remember you must first generate your virtual ID. If the virtual ID is not generated by you then you will not be able to lock your Aadhaar number. 

How to lock or unlock Aadhaar using UIDAI website? 

You can lock or Unlock your Aadhaar number from the UIDAI website. Open Resident portal Under Aadhaar Service Click on Lock & Unlock. Select UID Lock Radio Button and enter UID Number, Full Name, and Pin Code as in the latest details and enter the security code. Click on Send OTP or select TOTP and click on submit. Your UID will be locked successfully. 

Locking Biometrics in Aadhaar 

You can also lock the biometrics of the Aadhaar number. Biometric 'Locking/Unlocking' is a service that allows an Aadhaar holder to lock and temporarily unlock their biometrics. This facility aims to strengthen the privacy and confidentiality of resident's biometrics data. 

For this, you need to go to the portal, go to 'My Adhaar' then go to Aadhaar service, click on lock/unlock biometrics. Next, enter your Aadhaar or VID number, and captcha code and get OTP on your registered mobile number. Enter the OTP and submit. Your biometrics will be locked. And, similarly, you can unlock your biometrics.