How to Download & Print Masked Aadhaar Card

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The government made a plan to give Indian residents a unique identity a decade ago. UIDAI, the body authorized to carry out this task, has generated Aadhaar card for more than 123 crore residents of India as per the data published on its website. The government asked people to link their Aadhaar cards with a number of services and instruments to expedite and improve the service delivery mechanism which was challenged in the apex court on account of privacy infringement. In an answer to these calls, UIDAI has come up with masked Aadhaar card. Read on to know everything about UIDAI’s masked Aadhar card, how to download, password, validity and its uses.

What is Masked Aadhar Card

Masked Aadhaar is similar to a regular Aadhaar with a difference that the Aadhaar number is partially hidden. Only last four digits of the Aadhaar number are visible and the rest are crossed. Other details in the Aadhaar card remains the same such as the name, date of birth, gender, address and the QR code. You can download Aadhaar card quite easily online.

How to Download Masked Aadhaar Card

You can download the masked Aadhaar online from UIDAI’s official website. It is, however, worth noting that you can avail this facility only when your mobile number is registered in UIDAI’s database. Follow the steps mentioned below to download masked Aadhaar:

1. Visit UIDAI’s website and click on “Download Aadhaar”
2. Select the option of Aadhaar Number/VID/Enrolment ID and enter details depending on the option that you select (Aadhaar Number, Enrollment ID or Virtual ID)
3. Enter the Security Code and click on “Send OTP”
4. Choose the ‘Masked Aadhaar’ option
5. Enter the OTP received on your registered mobile number and click on “Verify And Download” to download the masked Aadhaar card

Password of Masked Aadhaar

The downloaded copy of Aadhaar card is password protected. You have to enter the password to open the masked Aadhaar copy which can then be printed and shared wherever required.

The 8-digit masked Aadhaar password is in the following format:

First four letters of your name and year of your birth.

• If the name is Jaidev Singh and the year of birth is 1990, the password will be JAID1990
• If the name is Jai Singh and the year of birth is 1990, the password will be JAIS1990
• If the name is J. Singh and the year of birth is 1990, the password will be J.SI1990
• If the name is Jai and the year of birth is 1990, the password will be JAI1990

Acceptance of Masked Aadhar

Masked Aadhaar can be used for identity proof when travelling in trains, at airports and for hotel bookings. It can also be used to prove your identity wherever required. However, it cannot be used for availing benefits provided under government welfare schemes through DBT. You have to submit regular eAadhaar or a copy of your Aadhaar card for all government welfare schemes.

Why you should Use Masked Aadhaar instead of Regular Aadhaar Card?

Masked Aadhaar has a number of benefits over regular Aadhaar cards. Some of these are mentioned below:

• Your original Aadhaar number is hidden and nobody can get hold of it in masked Aadhar. But, in case of regular Aadhaar cards, your complete Aadhaar number is visible which can be used by others.
• Masked Aadhaar can be downloaded whenever required whereas the regular Aadhaar card can be requested by visiting an Aadhaar Enrolment Centre.