Lost or Stolen Aadhaar? Here's How to Lock Your Card Online to Prevent Misuse

Aadhaar has become one of the most important identity proofs for every Indian citizen. From government schemes to banking services, SIM cards, and financial transactions, this 12-digit unique ID is essential for almost every major service. But what happens if your Aadhaar card is lost or stolen? The risk of fraud and misuse increases significantly. To protect citizens, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) offers a lock and unlock feature that allows you to secure your Aadhaar number instantly from the comfort of your home.

What Does Locking Aadhaar Mean?

When you lock your Aadhaar, no one can use your Aadhaar number for verification. This means all forms of authentication—biometric (fingerprint or iris scan), demographic (name, address), and OTP-based verification—are disabled. Even if someone has your Aadhaar details, they won’t be able to misuse them for fraudulent activities.

If you later recover your Aadhaar card or need to use it again, you can easily unlock it online to restore access for authentication.

How to Lock Aadhaar Card Online

UIDAI provides multiple methods to lock your Aadhaar, including its official website, mAadhaar mobile app, and SMS services. Here’s a step-by-step guide for the online method:

Visit UIDAI Website: Go to the official UIDAI portal.

Select Aadhaar Services: Click on My Aadhaar and then choose Lock/Unlock Aadhaar under the services section.

Lock Your UID: Click on Lock UID, then enter your Aadhaar number, full name, and PIN code.

Verify with OTP: Fill in the captcha code and click on Send OTP. Enter the OTP sent to your registered mobile number to complete the locking process.

Once locked, your Aadhaar number cannot be used for authentication until it is unlocked.

How to Unlock Aadhaar Card

To unlock your Aadhaar, you will need a 16-digit Virtual ID (VID), which can be generated through the UIDAI website or mAadhaar app.

Visit the UIDAI website and select Lock/Unlock Aadhaar.

Click on Unlock UID.

Enter your 16-digit Virtual ID (VID) and click Send OTP.

Use the OTP sent to your registered mobile number to complete the unlocking process.

Why Locking Aadhaar is Important

Locking your Aadhaar is a proactive way to protect your identity from fraudsters. If your Aadhaar card is misplaced, stolen, or you suspect unauthorized use, locking it ensures that no one can access or misuse your personal details. This feature is particularly helpful during emergencies, such as losing your wallet or when your Aadhaar details are exposed.

Quick Safety Tips

• Always keep your Aadhaar card in a safe place and avoid sharing photocopies unnecessarily.

• Use the Virtual ID (VID) for authentication instead of the actual Aadhaar number whenever possible.

• Update your registered mobile number to receive OTPs promptly for locking or unlocking.

By using UIDAI’s lock and unlock feature, you can safeguard your personal data and prevent any potential misuse of your Aadhaar—even if the physical card is lost or stolen.