Do you know what a masked Aadhaar card is? Everyone knows about Aadhar cards but masked Aadhaar is just a different version of an Aadhaar card. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology introduced masked Aadhaar to solve data privacy issues of Indians. Don’t share your full Aadhaar card number with anyone. Please read on to find out how to get your masked Aadhaar and then, use it as ID proof everywhere for your data safety. This blog will explain how to download masked aadhaar, its benefits and some frequently asked questions. 

What is masked aadhaar?

According to the UIDAI website, masked Aadhaar option allows you to conceal your downloaded e-Aadhaar card. Only the last 4 digits of the masked Aadhaar will be displayed on the e-aadhaar while the rest of the 8 digits will be shown as “x” cross symbol. Masked Aadhaar can be downloaded from UIDAI website. Masked Aadhaar was introduced in May 27, 2022 and still many people are unaware of this option. After downloading your masked e-aadhaar, the QR code, demographic, gender, name and address of the concerned person will be present. Masked aadhaar downloaded from the UIDAI website is legal ID proof. 

The Government of India issued an advisory on 27th of May 2022 to only share masked e-aadhaar cards rather than sharing the Xerox copies of the original aadhaar cards. Masked aadhaar was introduced to curb the risk of privacy-related issues pertaining to original aadhaar card. 

The only eligibility criterion to get a masked aadhaar card is that the person must be registered or enrolled in an aadhaar card and have a valid mobile number registered with the aadhaar.

Udyog Aadhar 

Virtual Id of Aadhaar

Aadhar 2 time DOB change

Benefits of masked Aadhaar

Aadhaar card is a unique identification number and is used as a legal ID proof for a majority of things: opening a bank account, booking flight tickets, hotel reservations, and college admission, applying for credit or debit cards, taking loans for a house or car and so on. 

1. Due to its unique identification features, it has been introduced in almost every platform. The Government wanted to add an extra layer of security for the aadhaar holders to prevent privacy-related issues. So, masked aadhaar was introduced. 
2. Masked aadhaar conceals the aadhaar digits and provides the much-needed security to prevent misuse of your aadhaar number. You can share your masked aadhaar at any institution without fear of misuse. 
3. You can also upload scanned copies of masked aadhaar to any site and be safe from exposing your aadhaar card. 
4. This technique of masking aadhaar has therefore improved users’ security and privacy. Now, fraudulent persons cannot steal your private information.
5. UIDAI advises individuals to use an aadhaar card with caution. It advises us not to use aadhaar for promotional activities. If a organisation without a UIDAI user licence asks for aadhaar card details, you can provide a copy of your masked aadhaar. 

How to download masked Aadhaar card?

Masked Aadhaar  download is a simple process. Anyone with an Aadhaar card can download a masked aadhaar card from the UIDAI website by following the steps given below:-

1. Visit myAadhaar – Unique Identification Authority of India | Government of India (uidai.gov.in)
2. Click on the “Download aadhaar” option.
3. Enter your registered mobile number with aadhaar and your aadhaar number. You can also download the masked aadhaar with your 28-digit enrolment number along with your full name and pin code or the 16-digit VIRTUAL ID.
4. Enter the Captcha also. Then, Click on “Send OTP”. 
5. After clicking on “Send OTP”, you will get an option of “Do you want masked aadhaar?” Just click on the checkbox. The checkbox will turn green after it is selected.
6. Enter the OTP you received on your mobile number. Then, click on “Verify and Download”.
7. Your masked e-aadhaar will be downloaded in pdf format.

FAQs

Q1. What is the password required for opening masked e-aadhaar?

The password required to open a masked e-aadhaar is the combination of the first 4 letters of the name in CAPITAL and the year of birth (YYYY).

For Example:
Name: RITA BANERJEE
Year of Birth: 1996
Password: RITA1996

Q2. What is masked e-aadhaar?

E-aadhaar is the short form for electronic aadhaar which is password protected and digitally signed by UIDAI. Masked e-aadhaar means that only the last 4 digits of the aadhaar will be shown. 

Q3. What software is required to open masked e-aadhaar?

Masked e-aadhaar comes in pdf format. So, you need Adobe Reader to view masked e-aadhaar.

Q4. What is TOTP?

You can download your masked e-aadhaar card by generating a TOTP from the m-aadhaar app. TOTP is the short-form for a time-based one-time password. It is used as an alternate to Aadhaar-based OTP in case there is a limitation of mobile signal to receive OTP for Aadhaar on the smartphone.

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