What Is a Masked Aadhaar Card, and How to Get One?

In today's digital age, an Aadhaar card is required to get government subsidies and benefits from numerous government-run social programmes. It is also required when opening a bank account.

However, it has been seen that under the name of online KYC, an Aadhaar card holder becomes a victim of online fraud. As a result, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has created "Masked Aadhaar" to protect Aadhaar card holders against online fraud.

Users who are worried about revealing their Aadhaar number or who want to hide the information of their Aadhaar number can utilise a Masked Aadhaar. You can disguise your Aadhaar number in your downloaded e-Aadhaar utilising the Mask Aadhaar option, according to UIDAI standards.

What is Masked Aadhaar?

The first eight digits of an Aadhaar number are replaced with characters like "xxxx-xxxx," leaving only the last four digits accessible.

Only the last four digits of the 12-digit Aadhaar number are visible in the masked Aadhaar card since the first eight digits are hidden to safeguard the subscriber's identity. Even if the card is lost or misplaced, it can no longer be used.

Where is Masked Aadhaar useful?

For eKYC update and verification, the masked Aadhaar card can be utilised. The Masked Aadhaar card only shows the last four digits of your Aadhaar number.

Here's how to get a masked Aadhaar card

• Log in to the official UIDAI website and select "Download Aadhaar."

• Tick the masked Aadhaar option and choose Aadhar / VID / Enrollment ID.

• Enter the requested information and select the 'Request OTP' option.

• Your Aadhaar-registered cell-phone number will get an OTP.

• Click 'Download Aadhaar' after entering the OTP; and

• Your Aadhaar masked card will now be accessible for download.

Masked Aadhaar password

The masked Aadhaar will be password-protected and available in PDF format. Following the download, you will receive an email with the masked Aadhaar card password.

Where can you obtain a masked Aadhaar card?

If you have an Aadhar card, you may get a masked version from UIDAI's official website, uidai.gov.in.