How To Avail Aadhaar services via SMS & Without Internet Connection

UIDAI has made it possible to avail of five vital Aadhaar services through SMS. This is a boon for Aadhaar cardholders who do not have access to an internet connection.

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has launched services related to Aadhaar the at can be accessed through SMS. This comes in handy for those Aadhaar cardholders who do not have access to an internet connection. The UIDAI’s website and m-Aadhaar app require internet.

The people who use feature phone, who do not have internet connectivity, can also use these services. In order to avail these services through SMS, your mobile number should be registered in UIDAI’s records. Except for the generation of virtual ID, you will first require to get a one-time password (OTP) from the UIDAI.
Given below are such services which can be accessed through SMS. For this, you need to send SMS in a prescribed format to 1947.

1. Virtual ID generation-

In case your virtual ID is lost, you can retrieve your this by sending an SMS. Send an SMS to 1947 in the format GVIDLast four digits of your Aadhaar number. Once the SMS is sent from your registered mobile number, UIDAI will send you an SMS with 16-digit virtual ID.

2. For retrieving virtual ID-

For this, send an SMS from your registered mobile number in the format RVID Last four digits of your Aadhaar number to 1947.

3. Lock/Unlock your biometric services-

According to UIDAI’s website, an individual can lock or unlock biometrics via SMS services. However, UIDAI is yet to roll out the format in which SMS can be sent to avail this service.

4. Unlocking Aadhaar number-

You need to send an SMS from your registered mobile number to 1947 to receive OTP. The format should be GETOTPLast six digits of your Virtual ID number. After sending the SMS, UIDAI will send you a 6-digit OTP through SMS. The second SMS will be sent to unlock your Aadhaar number. The format will be UNLOCKUIDLast six digits of Virtual ID 6 digit OTP. Once the SMS is sent to UIDAI, you will receive a confirmation message.

5. Locking Aadhaar number-

In order to lock your Aadhaar number, you need to have a virtual ID. Send an SMS in the format- GETOTPLast four digits of Aadhaar number to 1947 get OTP. You will receive a 6-digit OTP through SMS by UIDAI. Now send a second SMS to lock Aadhaar number. The format should be LOCKUIDLast four digits of Aadhaar number 6 digit OTP.

Once you lock your Aadhaar number, you will not be able to do any authentication using your Aadhaar number such as demographic, biometric or OTP-based. You will have to use the virtual ID for any authentication.