What is Masked Aadhaar Card, its Meaning & How to Download it?

UIDAI’s Aadhaar card is a 12-digit unique identification number. It is generated using the user’s biometric data and demographic information. Every individual in the country is required to have it and quote it for a variety of purposes. Apart from an Aadhaar card, UIDAI has given users the option of obtaining an eAadhaar card, masked Aadhaar card, mAadhaar, Aadhaar PVC card, and Aadhaar letter. All of these Aadhaar cards can be downloaded or ordered online and function in the same way as a regular Aadhaar card (partially in some cases).

In this blog, we will go over everything there is to know about a masked Aadhaar card, including its meaning and how to download it online.

What is a Masked Aadhaar Card?

A masked Aadhaar card is similar to a regular Aadhaar card in appearance; however, in a masked Aadhaar card, the Aadhaar number remains partially hidden. In a masked Aadhaar card, the first 8 characters are replaced with some characters like ‘XXXX-XXXX’ while the last 4 characters of the Aadhaar number remain visible. Other than the Aadhaar number, all the information in a masked Aadhaar card remains intact like name, gender, address, date of birth, QR code.

It is to be noted that a masked Aadhaar card works as proof of identity and is acceptable while travelling, booking tickets, etc. It is important to note that a masked Aadhaar card cannot be quoted to avail government schemes and services. To avail of government schemes and related services, a user is required to submit his/her regular Aadhaar card.

#BewareOfFraudsters
If you don’t want to disclose your #Aadhaar number, then you can use VID or Masked Aadhaar, it is valid and accepted widely.
To get VID/masked Aadhaar, download e-Aadhaar from here: https://t.co/C190bWfd0U #AadhaarAwareness #aadhar pic.twitter.com/vOe0XiyO2L
— Aadhaar (@UIDAI) July 15, 2021

How to Download Masked Aadhaar Card online?

To obtain a masked Aadhaar card, the user’s mobile number must be registered with the UIDAI. The steps to obtain a masked Aadhaar card are as follows:

Visit the official website of UIDAI
Click on ‘My Aadhaar’ and navigate to ‘Download Aadhaar’

How to Download a Masked Aadhaar Card online

Enter your Aadhaar number/Enrolment ID or Virtual ID
Tick ‘I want a masked Aadhaar’
Click on ‘Send OTP’

How to Download a Masked Aadhaar Card online

Submit the OTP and fill the required details on the next screen, request an OTP and confirm UIDAI consent
Next, enter the OTP, complete the survey to download masked Aadhaar card

How to Open a Masked Aadhaar Card?

A masked Aadhaar card is protected with a password. It can only be shared, opened, or used after the password is entered. A masked Aadhaar card password is the first four letters of a user’s name as well as their birth year.

For example, if the user’s name is Sidiksha and her birth year is 1996, her password will be SIDI1996.

Why Should I use a Masked Aadhaar Card?

Some of the reasons to use a masked Aadhaar card instead of a regular Aadhaar card are as follows:

A masked Aadhaar card allows a user to partially mask his or her Aadhaar number
It can be used in situations where the user does not want to reveal the Aadhaar card details
A masked Aadhaar card can only be used by the Aadhaar cardholder
A masked Aadhaar card can be downloaded at any time, whereas a regular Aadhaar card must be obtained by visiting an Aadhaar enrolment centre
It serves as proof of identity and can be used to complete a wide range of tasks

Read: How to prevent the misuse of an Aadhaar card

FAQs

Is masked Aadhaar card valid?

Yes, a masked Aadhaar card is a valid form of identification. The masked Aadhaar card is a version of the original Aadhaar card that has certain identifying information, such as the person’s name and photograph, covered or masked to protect their privacy. The masked Aadhaar card can be used for most purposes where an original Aadhaar card can be used, except for certain cases where the person’s full identification is required, such as opening a bank account or applying for a passport. In those cases, the person will need to provide their original, unmasked Aadhaar card.

How much do I need to pay to obtain a masked Aadhaar card?

There is no fee charged by UIDAI for a masked Aadhaar card.

Can I download a masked Aadhaar card by virtual ID?

Yes, you can download a masked Aadhaar card either by entering the Aadhaar number, enrolment ID or virtual ID.

Can I submit a masked Aadhaar card to avail government schemes?

In most cases, you should be able to use a masked Aadhaar card to avail government schemes. The masked Aadhaar card is a valid form of identification, and it contains the same information as an original, unmasked Aadhaar card. However, in some cases, the government may require you to provide your original, unmasked Aadhaar card for verification purposes. If you are unsure whether you can use a masked Aadhaar card to avail a particular government scheme, you can contact the relevant government agency or department for more information.

What is the password to open a downloaded masked Aadhaar card?

The password to open a downloaded Aadhaar card is the first four letters of your name and the year of birth.

Can I download masked aadhar without OTP?

It is not possible to download a masked Aadhaar card without an OTP. The OTP is a security measure that ensures only the rightful owner of the Aadhaar number can access their masked Aadhaar card. Without the OTP, it would not be possible to download a masked Aadhaar card, even if you have the correct Aadhaar number and security code.