How to Completely Lock Your Aadhaar Number from the UIDAI Portal

In India, a citizen's 12-digit Aadhaar number is linked directly to bank accounts, mutual funds, mobile SIM cards, and income tax returns. Because so many financial services rely on this single identity number, unauthorized access to Aadhaar details has become a prime target for cybercriminals.

According to official government figures shared by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) in July 2026, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) recorded 1,01,928 cybercrime cases across India. Furthermore, an analysis by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) found that Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS) scams accounted for 11 percent of all financial cyber frauds originating in the country. While the Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System (CFCFRMS) under the 1930 national cyber helpline has saved over Rs. 11,158 crore across 32.80 lakh complaints up to June 30, 2026, stopping identity misuse before money leaves the bank remains the safest approach for citizens.

To give citizens direct control over their identity data, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) provides an online security feature to completely lock the 12-digit Aadhaar number.

---

Biometric Lock vs. Aadhaar Number Lock: What is the Difference?

When an Aadhaar holder logs into the official UIDAI website or the mAadhaar mobile application, they are given two distinct locking options. Understanding the technical difference between the two is important before changing account settings:

• Biometric Lock

  This feature disables fingerprint scans, iris scans, and face authentication. However, a person's 12-digit Aadhaar number remains active for One-Time Password (OTP) verification sent via SMS and for demographic verification.

• Aadhaar Number Lock (UID Lock)

  This is a complete freeze on the 12-digit identity number. When an Aadhaar number is locked, nobody can run any verification (whether biometric, SMS OTP, or demographic) using the 12-digit UID across any bank, telecom operator, or service provider.

Locking the main Aadhaar number does not stop a citizen from completing official Know Your Customer (KYC) checks. Once the 12-digit number is locked, the citizen can verify their identity anywhere using a 16-digit Virtual ID (VID). The VID is a temporary, replaceable 16-digit random number mapped to the user's Aadhaar record that keeps the real 12-digit number hidden from the service provider.

---

Step 1: Generate a 16-Digit Virtual ID (VID) First

UIDAI does not allow anyone to lock their 12-digit Aadhaar number without first generating a 16-digit Virtual ID. Because the UIDAI server blocks all requests made with the 12-digit number once it is locked, the system requires the 16-digit VID to unlock the Aadhaar number in the future.

An Aadhaar holder can generate a VID through the myAadhaar VID Generator page or by sending an SMS from their Aadhaar-registered mobile number:

1. Open the SMS app on the mobile phone linked to the Aadhaar record.
2. Send an SMS to the official UIDAI toll-free shortcode 1947.
3. Type GVID followed by a space and the last 4 or 8 digits of the 12-digit Aadhaar number.
4. UIDAI will send back an SMS containing the 16-digit Virtual ID. The user should save this number for future unlocking.

---

Step 2: How to Lock the Aadhaar Number Online

Once the 16-digit VID is generated, the user can lock their 12-digit Aadhaar number free of charge on the official portal:

1. Visit the official UIDAI myAadhaar portal.
2. Scroll down to the citizen services section and click on Lock/Unlock Aadhaar.
3. Read the guidelines and select the Lock UID radio button.
4. Enter the 16-digit Virtual ID (VID), full name (exactly as printed on the Aadhaar card), and the 6-digit area PIN code.
5. Type the security Captcha code shown on the screen and click Send OTP.
6. Enter the 6-digit OTP received on the registered mobile number and click Submit.
7. The 12-digit Aadhaar number is now locked against all authentication requests.

Citizens can also perform this exact action on their smartphones by downloading the official mAadhaar app, opening the My Aadhaar tab, and selecting the Aadhaar Lock/Unlock option.

---

Step 3: How to Unlock the Aadhaar Number

If an individual needs to use their original 12-digit Aadhaar number again, they can remove the lock in less than a minute using their 16-digit VID. If the user has misplaced their VID, they can recover it anytime by sending an SMS from their registered mobile number to 1947 with the text RVID followed by a space and the last 4 or 8 digits of their Aadhaar number:

1. Go to the Aadhaar Lock/Unlock page on the myAadhaar website.
2. Select the Unlock UID radio button.
3. Enter the 16-digit Virtual ID (VID) and the security Captcha code.
4. Click Send OTP.
5. Enter the OTP sent to the registered mobile phone and submit the request. The 12-digit Aadhaar number will immediately return to active status for all verifications.

---

Why Locking the UID is Essential Today

Looking at recent banking regulations and fraud patterns reveals why locking the 12-digit Aadhaar number has shifted from an optional setting to a practical necessity:

• Protection Against Cloned Biometrics and AePS Scams

  Rural and urban banking scams often exploit the Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS), where fraudsters use leaked Aadhaar numbers and silicone fingerprint copies to withdraw cash without a debit card or PIN. Although the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) implemented stricter AePS operator tracking rules on January 1, 2026, and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) mandated an additional Aadhaar OTP for AePS withdrawals above Rs. 5,000 in June 2026, transactions under Rs. 5,000 still rely solely on biometric scans. Locking the UID blocks these unauthorized withdrawal attempts completely.

• Defense Against Third-Party Data Leaks

  Citizens routinely hand over physical photocopies of their Aadhaar cards at hotels, hospitals, and real estate offices. If those physical copies or corporate databases are leaked, criminals cannot use the exposed 12-digit number to apply for unauthorized digital loans or new SIM cards if the UID lock is active.

• Zero Disruption to Daily Verification

  Because banks, telecom companies, and government agencies are legally required to accept the 16-digit Virtual ID in place of the 12-digit Aadhaar number, citizens lose zero functionality by keeping their main Aadhaar number locked year-round.

---

FAQs