Lock your Aadhaar card! Nobody will be able to steal details, this is the way to do it right

Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has rolled out a special feature to keep your Aadhaar carrd safe and secured. With this feature you can lock or unlock your Aadhaar and increase privacy and security of this important identity number. Once the Aadhaar number is locked it cannot be used for verification purposes. However, instead you can use your 16-digit virtual ID for every other purpose. 

For verification purposes, you will only be able to use your Aadhaar only when its unlocked. Also it is important to create a virtual ID before locking your Aadhaar number. You will not be able to lock your Aadhaar number, Until the virtual ID is ready. 

How to create a virtual ID 

You can create a virtual ID from UIDAI website or via SMS. Keep in mind that your mobile number must be registered in the database of UIDAI, in order to generate virtual ID through SMS.

There are two ways to lock or unlock your Aadhaar

1. Through the website of UIDAI
2. Through SMS

How to lock/unlock From UIDAI Website

Here are the steps to lock your Aadhaar

Step 1: Go to www.uidai.gov.in.
Step 2: Click on the 'My Aadhaar' tab. Click 'Aadhaar Lock/Unlock' in 'Aadhaar Services'.
Step 3: Choose the option of 'Lock UID' and fill the details like Aadhaar numbers, Aadhaar records, name, PIN codes and security codes.
Step 4: After entering these details click on 'Send OTP'. OTP will come on your mobile number. 
Step 5: Enter the OTP and click on the submit option.
Step 6: After completing this process, your Aadhaar number will be locked.

Here are the steps to unlock the Aadhaar

Step 1: Go to www.uidai.gov.in.
Step 2: Click on the 'My Aadhaar' tab. Then click on 'Aadhaar Lock/Unlock' in 'Aadhaar Services'.
Step 3: Select the 'Unlock UID' option. Then enter the previously created Virtual ID and security Code.
Step 4: Click on 'Send OTP'. OTP will be sent to your mobile number.
Step 5: Enter OTP and click on submit option.
Step 6: After completing this process, your Aadhaar number will be unlocked.

How to lock Aadhaar via SMS

Step 1: To get an OTP on your registered mobile number, send an SMS containing, GETOTP <SPACE> last four digits of Aadhaar number to 1947
Step 2: After sending an SMS, you will get a 6 digit OTP from UIDAI.
Step 3: Now send another SMS with- LOCKUID <SPACE> last four digits of the Aadhaar <SPACE> 6 digit OTP number.

Once the SMS is sent, UIDAI will lock your Aadhaar number. While in oder to unlock your Aadhaar number via sms, you can follow the same process.