Masked Aadhaar Card : A Detailed Guide to Improved Personal Security

A masked Aadhaar card is an alternative version of your regular Aadhaar card, which provides better security and privacy. Since an Aadhaar card is an important document linked to your identity verification, keeping it secure is crucial. 

Whether verifying your identity or for the KYC process, several institutions will ask for your Aadhaar card. Since all your crucial information is printed on it, the risks of misuse are high. If it reaches the wrong hands, the breach of data can lead to financial loss and more.

Read on to know how to get a masked Aadhaar card and keep your details secure.

What is Masked Aadhaar?

This document ensures that your entire UIDAI number is not disclosed to anyone. While a regular Aadhaar has all the 12 digits printed on it, the masked option only has the last 4 digits.

For example, if your Aadhaar number is 5796-8436-9421, then the masked Aadhaar card sample will show xxxx-xxxx-9421. This makes it easy to verify your identity without giving away the complete information. 

Also Read: How to apply for a new Aadhaar card

Difference Between Regular and Masked Aadhaar

Here are some of the key features of a masked vs a regular Aadhaar card. 

Regular Aadhaar Card	Masked Aadhaar Card
All 12 digits are visible	‘xxxx-xxxx’ replaces the first 8 digits and only 4 digits are visible
All your details are accessible to anyone with a copy of your Aadhaar card, making it easy for unauthorised usage	People with a copy of your Aadhaar card can’t use your details
Higher risk of security breach and identity theft	Lower risk of information misuse
Easy access via the UIDAI	Can generate it without any charges on the UIDAI website
Acceptable everywhere for identity verification	Acceptable at non-governmental establishments that ask for verification, such as hotels, clubs, public libraries, etc.

Also Read: Benefits of an Aadhaar card

Steps to Download a Masked Aadhaar Card

Here is a step-by-step guide to download this document online:

• Step 1: Visit the official UIDAI website
• Step 2: Select a preferred language
• Step 3: Click the ‘Download Aadhaar’ under the ‘Get Aadhaar’ section 
• Step 4: Click on the ‘Aadhaar Number’ button 
• Step 5: Enter the 12-digit Aadhaar number and captcha code visible on the screen 
• Step 6: Click on the ‘Send OTP’ option 
• Step 7: Enter the OTP received on the mobile number registered with your Aadhaar
• Step 8: Check the dialogue box ‘Do you want to download masked Aadhaar?’
• Step 9: Click on ‘Download’ 

After that, a password-protected PDF file will be available on your device. The password for masked Aadhaar is the first four letters of your name in uppercase, followed by your birth year. For example, if your name is Rahul and you were born in 1980, your password will be RAHU1980.

Why Opt for a Masked Aadhaar Card?

If unauthorised individuals get hold of your Aadhaar number and other information, they can use it to impersonate you. It’s connected to your PAN card, allowing them to finalise the KYC procedure. In this manner, they could utilise it for unauthorised financial transactions.

This includes asking for a loan or credit card or opening a bank account. Since linking your Aadhaar card to your bank account is mandatory, fraudsters could potentially gain unauthorised entry to your bank accounts too. Therefore, it is recommended to use a masked Aadhaar card, wherever possible, and reduce the risk of being exposed.

Knowing all these benefits, you can easily use a UIDAI masked Aadhaar card when applying for any credit card or loan or any other purpose. Another way you can protect your identity and personal information from being misused is to apply for such financial products online. 

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FAQs on Masked Aadhaar Card

What is the use of a masked Aadhaar card?

Its main purpose is to prevent misuse of your Aadhaar number to fake your identity. 

Where can I get a masked Aadhaar?

You can download your UIDAI masked Aadhaar from the Unique Identification Authority of India’s official website. 

Is Masked Aadhaar valid in hotels?

Yes! In fact, it is designed to protect you in unlicensed locations that ask for identity verification. This includes hotels, motels, pubs, bars, cinema halls,  etc.

Is masked Aadhaar valid?

Since you can generate it only from the official UIDAI website, it is valid for use in place of your regular card.