Is Masked Aadhaar Card more secure? Here’s how to download it

A masked Aadhaar, as the name implies, is essentially a 12-digit ID number that can be transmitted without revealing any sensitive personal information.

New Delhi: Aadhaar, a 12-digit unique identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), has become one of the most important documents an Indian can own. It is necessary for a variety of work, such as opening a bank account or investing in a government scheme. This means that one must maintain their Aadhaar card with them at all times, which might be problematic given the frequency of frauds committed using this number.

To mitigate this danger, the UIDAI has made a masked Aadhaar ID' or Virtual ID (VID) available. A masked Aadhaar, as the name implies, is essentially a 12-digit ID number that can be transmitted without revealing any sensitive personal information.

"Mask Aadhaar" allows you to conceal your Aadhaar number in your downloaded e-Aadhaar. According to the UIDAI website, "masked Aadhaar number entails substituting the first eight digits of the Aadhaar number with certain characters like "xxxx-xxxx" while just the last four digits of the Aadhaar number are visible." As a result, it is a legal option to obtain e-copies of your Aadhaar without revealing your Aadhaar number.

"Masked Aadhaar can be utilised for eKYC in cases where sharing Aadhaar Number is not required." It simply displays the last four digits of your Aadhaar number. "When downloading your Aadhaar from: https://eaadhaar.uidai.gov.in, select the 'Masked Aadhaar' option," the UIDAI wrote on Twitter.

How to Download the Masked Aadhaar