How to Download Masked Aadhaar Card?

Aadhaar is a unique identification number issued to residents of India. It contains personal details such as name, address, date of birth, and a unique 12-digit number. To maintain privacy, the masked Aadhaar was introduced. A masked Aadhaar shows only the last four digits of your Aadhaar number, keeping the rest hidden. This makes it safe to share in situations where full details are not required.

Masked Aadhaar is especially useful for digital transactions, online verification, and other services where you want to protect your personal information. It is legally valid and can be used just like a regular Aadhaar card for most purposes.

Understanding Masked Aadhaar

A masked Aadhaar is essentially a partially hidden version of your regular Aadhaar. The first eight digits of your 12-digit Aadhaar number are masked with the letter “XXXX,” and only the last four digits are visible. For example, if your Aadhaar number is 1234 5678 9012, the masked version will appear as XXXX XXXX 9012.

This format ensures that sensitive information is not exposed, reducing the risk of identity theft or misuse. The document still contains all your personal details like name, photo, date of birth, and address, making it fully functional for verification purposes where full Aadhaar number disclosure is not necessary.

Why Should You Use a Masked Aadhaar?

Using a masked Aadhaar helps protect your personal information while fulfilling identification requirements. Some key reasons include:

1. Privacy Protection: Masking the first eight digits ensures your full Aadhaar number is not visible to anyone, reducing the risk of misuse.

2. Safe Digital Transactions: When sharing Aadhaar online for services like mobile registration, banking, or eKYC, a masked version keeps your number secure.

3. Legal Validity: Masked Aadhaar is legally accepted for verification by government agencies, banks, and financial institutions.

4. Ease of Sharing: For online forms, KYC processes, or document submission, you can safely use masked Aadhaar without exposing your complete number.

For example, when submitting Aadhaar for a bank account opening, using the masked version ensures that your full Aadhaar number is not visible to bank staff or external parties, minimizing the risk of identity theft.

How to Get Masked Aadhaar Card

Here’s a simple way to get your masked Aadhaar card:

1. Visit the UIDAI official portal.

2. Click on “Download Aadhaar”.

3. Enter your Aadhaar number, enrollment ID, or virtual ID.

4. Enter your full name, pin code, and other required details.

5. Select “Masked Aadhaar”.

6. Verify using the OTP sent to your registered mobile.

7. Download the PDF and open it using the password (first four letters of your name in CAPITAL letters + year of birth).

This step-by-step process ensures you can safely download a masked Aadhaar without revealing the full 12-digit number.

How to Download Masked Aadhaar

Downloading a masked Aadhaar is simple and can be done online through UIDAI’s official website. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Visit UIDAI Website: Go to the official UIDAI site at https://resident.uidai.gov.in.

2. Select ‘Download Aadhaar’: Click on the “Download Aadhaar” option available on the homepage.

3. Enter Details: Provide your 12-digit Aadhaar number, enrollment ID, or virtual ID along with your full name, pin code, and other required details.

4. Verify with OTP: Enter the OTP sent to your registered mobile number linked with Aadhaar.

5. Choose Masked Aadhaar Option: Select the option for “Masked Aadhaar” before downloading.

6. Download PDF: After verification, your masked Aadhaar will be available as a PDF.

7. Open Using Password: The PDF is password-protected. Use the format of the password to open the document.

This process ensures that your Aadhaar is masked, safe, and ready for use wherever partial disclosure is sufficient.

Format of Masked Aadhaar Password

The downloaded masked Aadhaar PDF is password-protected to ensure security. The password is created using the first four letters of your name in CAPITAL letters as mentioned on your Aadhaar, followed by your year of birth.

For example:

• Name on Aadhaar: Rahul Purswani

• Year of Birth: 1990

• Password: RAHU1990

This simple password format makes it easy to access the PDF while maintaining security.

Features of Masked Aadhaar Card

1. Partial Disclosure: First eight digits are masked with Xs, last four digits are visible.

2. Complete Personal Details: Name, photo, date of birth, gender, and address are fully displayed.

3. Legally Valid: Can be used for eKYC, verification, and government services.

4. Digital PDF: Downloadable as a secure PDF, suitable for online submission.

5. Password Protection: Access is protected via a password derived from your name and birth year.

6. Printable: Can be printed for offline verification without revealing full Aadhaar number.

Masked Aadhaar ensures privacy while allowing users to complete important verification processes safely.

Difference Between Masked Aadhaar and Regular Aadhaar

Feature

Regular Aadhaar

Masked Aadhaar

Aadhaar Number Display

Full 12 digits visible

First 8 digits masked, last 4 visible

Purpose

Complete identity verification

Limited disclosure for privacy

Acceptability

Accepted everywhere

Accepted for most verifications where full number not required

Security

Less privacy if shared publicly

More secure for online and digital use

PDF Protection

Optional

Password-protected

Usage

Offline and online verification

Online submissions, banking, eKYC, digital documents

Where Should You Use a Masked Aadhaar Card

1. Banking Transactions: For KYC while opening accounts or applying for loans.

2. Insurance Applications: Safe submission without revealing full Aadhaar.

3. Online Services: eSign, digital verification, government portals.

4. Employment KYC: Companies may accept masked Aadhaar for HR and payroll processes.

5. Financial Services: Mutual funds, investments, and tax-related submissions.

Masked Aadhaar is useful wherever identity verification is required but full disclosure is not necessary.

Benefits of Masked Aadhaar

Masked Aadhaar offers multiple benefits by combining convenience, security, and legal validity. One of the primary advantages is privacy protection, as it hides the first eight digits of the Aadhaar number, reducing the risk of identity theft or misuse while still allowing you to complete verifications. It is legally valid, meaning it can be used for KYC, banking, government services, and other official processes just like a regular Aadhaar. Downloading masked Aadhaar is quick and easy, providing a digital PDF format that can be used for online submissions without printing, scanning, or mailing physical documents. The PDF is password-protected, ensuring an additional layer of security, while also being printable for offline verification purposes. By using masked Aadhaar, individuals can safely share their Aadhaar information in situations where full disclosure is unnecessary, making it ideal for banking transactions, eSign services, insurance, mutual funds, and other official documentation, all while maintaining control over sensitive personal data.

Conclusion

Masked Aadhaar is a secure and convenient way to share your Aadhaar information without revealing the full 12-digit number. It provides privacy, legal validity, and ease of use for both online and offline services. By using masked Aadhaar, individuals can complete KYC, banking, and other digital verification processes safely, reducing the risk of identity theft. With features like password protection, partial number display, and easy PDF downloads, masked Aadhaar ensures that your personal information remains protected while still being fully functional for verification purposes.