Prevent misuse of Aadhaar by locking it. Here's how

Aadhaar is one of the most important identity proof documents and quoting of Aadhaar card is mandatory for a host of services like filing income tax return. In order to avail Aadhaar Online services, it is also important to have a registered Mobile Number linked to the 12-digit unique identification number.

In order to further strengthen your privacy and security, UIDAI introduced a feature to lock and unlock your Aadhaar Number. After locking your Aadhaar card number, authentication cannot be performed using Aadhaar number. Once your UID is locked, you may use your Virtual ID to perform authentication. This will prevent the misuse of your Aadhaar Number by anyone else.

Unlocking your Aadhaar Number will resume the use of Aadhaar Number for Authentication. In order to prevent the misuse of Aadhaar card you can lock and unlock it as per your need within seconds. For Locking UID, you should have 16 digit VID number and it's a pre-requisite for locking. If you don't have VID, you can generate via SMS Service or Resident Portal. SMS Service. GVID space last 4 or 8 digit of UID. SMS to 1947. Ex- GVID 1234.

Here is how to Lock your Aadhaar UID:

Go to UIDAI website and open Resident portal Under Aadhaar Service

Click on Lock & Unlock

Select UID Lock Radio Button 

Enter UID Number, Full Name, and Pin Code as in latest details and enter Security code

Click on Send OTP or select TOTP and click on submit 

Your UID will be locked successfully

For Unlocking UID again you should have latest VID number and if you forgot 16 digit VID you can retrieve latest VID from SMS services. RVID Space last 4 or 8 digit of UID. SMS to 1947. Ex- RVID 1234

Here's how to Unlock UID:

Go to UIDAI website and open Resident portal Under Aadhaar Service 

Click on Lock & Unlock

Select Unlock radio button

Enter Latest VID and security Code and click on send OTP or select TOTP and 

Click on Submit. 

Your UID will be unlocked successfully

Locking Biometrics in Aadhaar:

Another option with an Aadhaar holder is to lock biometrics. 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. Locked biometrics ensures the Aadhaar holder will not be able to use their biometrics (fingerprints/iris) for authentication.

How to lock/unlock Aadhaar biometrics?

Open Resident 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.