These are Aadhaar services you can get on SMS: Know how to use

Now even the users who don't have access to internet, UIDAI's website or m-Aadhaar app, can avail various Aadhaar Services on SMS. As the UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India) has launched various Aadhaar-related services that can be accessed via SMS. This is especially 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 (without Internet connectivity) can use these Aadhaar services via SMS. 

UIDAI recently had introduced a service called 'Aadhaar Services on SMS' which enables Aadhaar Number holders, who do not have access to internet/resident portal/m-Aadhaar etc. to use various Aadhaar services like Virtual ID generation/retrieval, Aadhaar lock/unlock, getting OTP, Biometric lock/unlock etc. through SMS.

Resident can avail these Aadhaar Services by sending an SMS from Registered Mobile to 1947 in the format mentioned below:

1. To get OTP

2. To generate – Virtual ID

3. To retrieve – Virtual ID

4. To lock Aadhaar

5. To unlock Aadhaar

Here are the detailed explanation on sms format for each Aadhaar service:

1. To Get OTP

Via Aadhaar Number: GETOTP<SPACE>Aadhaar-NUMBER-last-4-digits

Via Virtual ID: GETOTP<SPACE>Virtual ID-NUMBER-last-6-digits

For example if the Aadhaar number is 1234-5678-9123 then SMS – GETOTP 9123, and if the Virtual ID is 12345-67891-23456 then SMS – GETOTP 23456

2. To Generate – Virtual ID

To generate a virtual ID, you need to send an SMS to 1947:

GVID<SPACE>Aadhaar-Number-last-4-digits

For example if the Aadhaar number is 1234-5678-9123 then SMS – GVID 9123 and send it to 1947

3. To Retrieve – Virtual ID

If you have lost your virtual ID, you can retrieve it via sms service:

Just send the sms in the format- RVID<SPACE>Aadhaar-Number-last-4-digits

For example if the Aadhaar number is 1234-5678-9123 then SMS – RVID 9123 and send it to 1947

4. To Lock Aadhaar

For locking Aadhaar Number, Virtual ID is required to be pre-generated else would not allow to Lock. In case of multiple dependent Aadhaar linked to same mobile number, and when last 4 digits of Aadhaar same for at least 2 dependents, then second SMS to be sent as: LOCKUID <Aadhaar NUMBER-last 8-digits> <6-digits-OTP>

One needs to send 2 SMS for this facility:

SMS 1 : GETOTP <Aadhaar NUMBER-last-4-digits>

SMS 2 : LOCKUID <Aadhaar NUMBER-last 4-digits> <6-digits-OTP>

For example if the Aadhaar number is 1234-5678-9123 then SMS – GETOTP 9123

5. To Unlock Aadhaar

This service can be availed by Virtual ID only. In case of multiple dependent Aadhaar linked to same mobile number, and when last 4 digits of aadhaar same for atleast 2 dependents, then second SMS to be sent as: UNLOCKUID <Virtual ID NUMBER-last 10-digits> <6-digits-OTP>

One needs to send 2 SMS for this facility:

SMS 1: GETOTP <Virtual ID NUMBER-last-6-digits>

SMS 2: UNLOCKUID <Virtual ID NUMBER-last 6-digits> <6-digits-OTP>

For example if the Aadhaar number is 1234-5678-9123 then SMS – GETOTP 9123

UIDAI has mentioned on its website, that one can also lock or unlock his/her biometrics using SMS services but there is no information as of now, as to when this service is going to be started.