Protecting your personal information in the digital era has become crucial, especially with the rising cases of data breaches and fraud. Aadhaar Card is one of the most important identity verification documents in India. Whether you want to open a bank account or acquire a new SIM card, you will need your Aadhaar Card for authentication. To ensure better data protection for your unique Aadhaar number, UIDAI has introduced Masked Aadhaar Cards. This article highlights how you can download your masked Aadhaar Card PDF online through various channels, while also focusing on the rationale for masked Aadhaar, where it is accepted, and more.
Understanding a Masked Aadhaar Card
A masked Aadhaar Card is a partly concealed variant of your regular Aadhaar Card wherein the first eight digits of your unique Aadhaar number are hidden with asterisks (*) signs. Only the last four digits of your unique Aadhaar number are visible. All other details on your Aadhaar Card, including your name, date of birth, address, gender, and the QR code remain the same.
Why Use a Masked Aadhaar Card?
Masked Aadhaar offers several advantages over regular Aadhaar Cards. We’ve listed some of these benefits below:
- Enhanced Privacy Protection: By concealing a part of your Aadhaar number, masked Aadhaar Cards help protect your privacy. Masked Aadhaar Cards keep sensitive information secured to ensure that it is not readily available for unauthorised use.
- Better Security: Aadhaar Cards verification is mandatory for various purposes like opening a bank account or obtaining an LPG connection. Submitting copies of your full Aadhaar can make you susceptible to identity theft and increase chances of fraud. Masked Aadhaar helps prevent this.
- Legal Validity: In legal terms, using a masked Aadhaar Card is just as valid as using a regular Aadhaar Card. Therefore, you can easily use the masked version of your Card as a valid identity proof document, whenever needed (except in cases where you need unmasked Aadhaar).
Is Masked Aadhaar Valid Everywhere?
While masked Aadhaar offers several benefits, you should note that it may not be accepted as a valid document everywhere. In certain specific instances, you may be required to submit your unmasked regular Aadhaar Card. One such instance is when you want to avail of benefits under a government welfare scheme. In this case, you will have to submit your e-Aadhaar or physical copies of your regular Aadhaar Card.
How to Download a Masked Aadhaar Card Online?
You can download a masked Aadhaar Card online by following this easy step-by-step guide:
- Visit the official UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India) website.
- Go to the ‘Get Aadhaar’ option and click on ‘Download Aadhaar’.
- Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number/16-digit Virtual ID/28-digit Enrolment ID.
- Input the captcha displayed and click on the ‘Send OTP’ option.
- Check the box against the ‘Do You Want A Masked Aadhaar?’ option.
- Input the OTP received on your registered mobile number and click on the ‘Download and Verify’ option.
Once you complete these steps, your masked Aadhaar Card will be instantly downloaded.
Steps to Download Masked Aadhaar using the mAadhaar App
You can also download your masked Aadhaar Card on your smartphone using the mAadhaar App. Here’s how to download your e-Aadhaar in a masked format online:
- Open the mAadhaar App and log in.
- Go to the ‘Get Aadhaar’ tab and click on ‘Download Aadhaar’.
- Choose ‘Masked Aadhaar’ as your preference.
- Choose a way to download your masked Aadhaar Card either by using your Aadhaar number, VID (Virtual ID), or EID (Enrolment ID).
- Enter your VID, EID, or Aadhaar number along with the captcha code displayed on the screen.
- Click the ‘Request OTP’ option.
- Enter the OTP sent to your registered mobile number and click ‘Verify’ to view and download your masked Aadhaar Card through the mAdhaar App.
Steps to Download Masked Aadhaar from the DigiLocker App
Alternatively, you can also learn how to get a masked Aadhaar Card through the DigiLocker App. Follow these steps to complete the download process:
- Open the DigitLocker app. If you don’t have the DigiLocker app, you can download it from the Play Store or App Store.
- Sign-in with your Aadhaar number, username, or mobile number, along with your 6-digit security PIN.
- Choose ‘Aadhaar’ from the list of options on the ‘Issued Documents’ page.
- Click on the ‘Save’ button to download your Aadhaar Card in the masked format.
Password of Masked Aadhaar
Remember the Aadhaar PDF is password protected to ensure safety and complete privacy protection. The 8-digit Aadhaar password format is as follows:
The first four letters of your name (in caps) and the year of your birth in the ‘YYYY’ format
So, if your name is Manoj Singh and year of birth is 1990, your masked Aadhaar PDF password will be: MANO1990.
Key Differences Between Masked and Regular Aadhaar Cards
The following table sums up the differences between masked Aadhaar and regular Aadhaar Cards.
| Parameters | Masked Aadhaar Card | Regular Aadhaar Card |
| Aadhaar Number Visibility | The last eight digits of your Aadhaar number are masked or hidden. | All 12 digits of your Aadhaar number are visible. |
| Available format | Only available in an e-Aadhaar format. | Available in both e-Aadhaar and physical formats. |
| Acceptance for government schemes | Masked Aadhaar Cards are not accepted for government schemes. | Regular Aadhaar Cards are accepted when applying for government schemes. |
When Should I Use a Masked Aadhaar Card?
Here’s a list of scenarios where using a masked Aadhaar Card makes sense:
- Online Authentication: You can use a masked version of your Aadhaar Card when using online platforms or digital services that require identity verification. This will ensure a quick and secure authentication.
- KYC Verifications: Various institutions like banks and telecom companies require KYC verification using Aadhaar. A masked Aadhaar Card can help you complete various KYC (know your customer) verifications, without revealing your complete Aadhaar details.
- Digital Platforms: Masked Aadhaar can also be used to verify your identity on digital platforms like mobile apps and e-commerce websites. Using masked Aadhaar protects the data stored on the Aadhaar platform against possible data breaches.
Conclusion
Masked Aadhaar was introduced to ensure better data safety in the digitalised world. This e-Aadhaar format hides a part of your Aadhaar number, making identity theft and fraud more challenging. Since masked Aadhaar holds the same legal validity as your regular Aadhaar Card in most cases, you can download the same and use it whenever you need to authenticate your identity on digital platforms.
