The Aadhaar card has become an essential and important document today. Whether it’s opening a bank account or checking in at a hotel, Aadhaar is widely used as ID proof. Many tasks cannot be completed without an Aadhaar card now.
Because of its importance, Aadhaar is often misused. To protect users from fraud, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) regularly advises people to stay safe. To make Aadhaar more secure, UIDAI has also introduced a masked Aadhaar card.
The masked Aadhaar card is issued by UIDAI and is slightly different from the normal Aadhaar card. It is more secure as it only displays the last 4 digits of the Aadhaar number, while the first 8 digits are hidden as “XXXX-XXXX.” This way, the cardholder’s Aadhaar number remains invisible to strangers, adding an extra layer of security.
Where Can You Use the Masked Aadhaar Card?
The masked Aadhaar card is completely valid and issued by UIDAI. It can be used everywhere the regular Aadhaar card is accepted. UIDAI has also advised people to use the masked Aadhaar instead of giving photocopies of the normal Aadhaar card to prevent misuse.
How to Download a Masked Aadhaar Card
1. Visit the UIDAI Portal
Go to myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in and select the “Login” option.
2. Enter Aadhaar Details
- Enter your Aadhaar number and captcha code, then click on “Send OTP.”
- An OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number. Enter the OTP and click on “Log in.”
3. Select the Masked Aadhaar Option
- From the Services section, select “Download Aadhaar.”
- In the “Review Your Demographic Data” section, choose “Do you want a masked Aadhaar?”
4. Download the Masked Aadhaar
Click on “Download” to save the masked Aadhaar as a PDF.
How to Open the Masked Aadhaar Card PDF
To open the downloaded Aadhaar card (Aadhar Card Update), you will need a password. The password consists of the first four letters of your name in Aadhaar (in capital letters) followed by your birth year.
Example:
Name: Dipanshu
Year of Birth: 1990
Password: DIPA1990