What is a Masked Aadhaar Card?

Masked Aadhaar is an additional layer of security for cardholders to safeguard them from fraudulency. An Aadhaar cardholder can avail of the provision to download the Masked Aadhaar Card version, which only features the last four digits of their Aadhaar Card. Characters like ‘XXXX-XXXX’ replace the digits prior to the visible ones. This is done to shelter the cardholder’s personal information while they share their card for numerous purposes.

A masked Aadhaar Card has been granted admissibility as it would feature the holder’s Name, Photograph, and Address. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) even endorsed the usage of Masked Aadhaar cards. The Aadhaar card can conveniently download the official website of the UIDAI.

Acceptance of Masked Aadhaar

Masked aadhaar card displays only the last four digits of an aadhaar number; this raises questions on its acceptance. The UIDAI masked aadhaar card is a document supporting proof of identification in bank account opening, identity proof to purchase vehicles or property, loan applications, and more. However, individuals must know they cannot apply for government schemes or enjoy other benefits as they require the entire aadhaar number.

How to Download Masked Aadhaar Card

The masked Aadhaar Card can be easily downloaded from the official portal of UIDAI by following the below-mentioned steps:

STEP 1: Visit the official UIDAI portal and select the ‘My Aadhaar’ option from the main menu.

STEP 2: Click on the download Aadhaar Window.

STEP 3: Follow any of these following methods to download your masked Aadhaar. The first two methods are only for residents of India.

Method 1: Aadhaar Number

STEP 1: If you already have an Aadhaar card, enter the 12-digit Aadhaar number along with your full name and pin code on the portal.

STEP 2: Check the box with the label ‘I want a masked Aadhaar?’ to choose masked Aadhaar.

•  After filling in the above-mentioned details, the user is required to input an OTP
• After receiving and entering the OTP received, the user should select the option of downloading a Masked Aadhaar Card.
• The masked Aadhaar card of the user would be available for download post verification.

Method 2: Enrolment Number

STEP 1 :Use the 28-digit enrolment number along with your full name and pin code to download the card.

STEP 2: Check the box with the label ‘I want a masked Aadhaar?’ to choose masked Aadhaar.

•  After filling in the above details, you will need to input an OTP
• After receiving and entering the OTP received, the user should select the option of downloading a Masked Aadhaar.
• The masked Aadhaar card of the user would be available for download post verification.

Method 3: Virtual ID

STEP 1: You can enter the 16-digit Virtual ID on the portal to download the masked Aadhaar.

STEP 2: Check the box with the label ‘I want a masked Aadhaar?’ to choose masked Aadhaar.

•  After filling in the above details, you will need to submit an OTP
• After entering the OTP received, the user should select the option of downloading a Masked Aadhaar.
• The masked Aadhaar card of the user would be available for download post verification.

Download Masked Aadhaar Card Using mAadhaar App

mAadhaar app is the official app for aadhaar cards launched by UIDAI. Individuals can use this app to download their masked aadhaar card; they just need to follow the steps below.

• Install the mAadhaar app
• Sign up or log in using your credentials
• Enter your mobile number and select the ‘Download aadhaar card’ option. 
• Enter the OTP received at your registered mobile number.
• Your masked aadhaar card will be instantly downloaded.

Aadhaar Card Password for Masked e-Aadhaar

The downloaded e-Aadhaar will be password protected to ensure its safety. The masked Aadhaar card can be easily accessed from anywhere by just entering the 8-digit password. The password is a union of the first four letters of the name and the last four digits of the birth year of the cardholder. It is to be noted that the letters should be mentioned in Capital letters.

Find below the following examples of the 8-digit password format:

1. In case the name of the Cardholder is Ramesh Sharma and their birth year is 1940.
   
   The eight-digit password of their masked Aadhaar card will be: RAME1940
2. In case the name of the cardholder is Suresh Gupta and their birth year is 1986.
   
   The eight-digit password of their masked Aadhaar card will be: SURE1986
3. In case the name of the cardholder is Reema Singh and their birth year is 1992.
   
   The eight-digit password of their masked Aadhaar Card will be: REEM1992
4. In case the name of the cardholder is Ram Bhalla and their birth year is 2000The eight-digit password of their masked Aadhaar Card will be: RAM2000

Why should you Use a Masked Aadhaar instead of a Regular Aadhaar Card?

Masked aadhaar card conceals the first eight digits of the aadhaar number, revealing only the last four. Aadhaar card holders must use the UIDAI masked aadhaar card instead of the regular aadhaar card, as this safeguards all sensitive personal information associated with your aadhaar number. The news of data leaks on aadhaar numbers had increased exponentially, and that is when the Government of India introduced masked aadhaar cards as a safe option.

Benefits of Masked Aadhaar Card

• A Masked Aadhaar card caters to the privacy requirements of the usage of the Aadhar card. An Aadhaar cardholder can avail of the following benefits after downloading a Masked Aadhaar Card.
• A masked Aadhaar card safeguards the holder’s personal information that might be linked to the Aadhaar card number.
• An Aadhaar cardholder can choose to share their Masked Aadhaar card for eKYC, where sharing the full Aadhaar details is not mandatory.The concealed eight digits of the Aadhaar card prevent the data breach of any personal information of the cardholder.
• A Masked Aadhaar card can be conveniently downloaded from the official portal of UIDAI. The electronic copies of the e-Aadhaar are password protected.

Features of Masked Aadhaar Card

The masked Aadhaar Card can be used in place of the generic one to protect any personal information of the holder. Find below the following features of the card.

• A masked Aadhaar Card will show the 12-digit Aadhaar number as XXXX-XXXX-1232 (Incase the last four digits of the Aadhaar Number are 1232). The first eight digits of the Aadhaar number are concealed. Only the last four digits of the Aadhaar number are visible.
• A masked Aadhaar card would entail other necessary information like the name, photograph, date of birth, and address proof of the holder. This makes it possible for the masked card to be admissible as an identification or address proof in financial institutions.

Related Resource:

mAadhaar: App Key Features, Benefits, Services and Download

NSEIT UIDAI: Exam Registration, Fee Payment And Download Certificate

UIDAI: All-Inclusive Guidance of Unique Identification Authority of India

Aadhaar PVC Card: How to Order, Check Status and Track Online

A Comprehensive Guide to UIDAI eAadhaar

How to Use Aadhaar Card Password, Format and Examples?

My Aadhaar: A Complete Guide on Myaadhaar

Jan Aadhar Card: Everything You Need to Know

Difference Between Masked Aadhaar Card and Regular Aadhaar Card

The masked Aadhaar card is a censored form of the regular Aadhaar card. Find the below-mentioned comparisons of the two.

• A regular Aadhaar card features the complete 12-digit Aadhaar number of the holder. However, the first eight digits are concealed in a masked Aadhaar Card.
• A regular Aadhaar card is required while applying for, and availing of various government schemes as the authorities may require to link the card to their holder’s beneficiary account. The masked Aadhaar card, on the other hand, is more suitable when the holder wants to safeguard the personal information linked to the Aadhaar card.
• A regular Aadhaar card is issued and available both online and offline. However, a masked Aadhaar card is an E-Aadhaar that can be accessed digitally through an 8-digit password. However, it is to be noted that E-Aadhaar is admissible everywhere as identity proof.