How to Download Masked Aadhaar Card Online?

How to Download Masked Aadhaar Card Online? Masked Aadhaar Card Plays an Important Role in the Prevention of Misuse of Your Aadhaar Card. Check the Complete Detail Related to the Masked Aadhaar Card Below.

The Masked Aadhaar card, introduced by UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India), is a more secure version of the regular Aadhaar card that displays only the last four digits of your Aadhaar number while hiding the first eight digits. This feature helps protect your privacy and reduces the risk of identity theft when sharing Aadhaar details for various services.

Downloading a masked Aadhaar card is a simple process that can be completed within minutes through the official UIDAI website, and it serves as a valid proof of identity just like the regular Aadhaar card. The best part? You can easily download this masked Aadhaar card online without leaving your home.

What is Masked Aadhaar Card?

The Masked Aadhaar card is a modified version of the standard Aadhaar card that conceals the first eight digits of your 12-digit Aadhaar number, revealing only the last four digits (XXXX XXXX 4789).

This alteration significantly reduces the risk of identity theft and unauthorized use of your Aadhaar information while still allowing you to use it as a valid form of identification.

Key Benefits of a Masked Aadhaar Card

There are several advantages of masked Aadhaar Card, a few prominent among them are:

• Enhanced Privacy: By obscuring most of your Aadhaar number, the masked version substantially decreases the risk of identity theft and unauthorized access to your personal information.
• Secure Identification: You can confidently use your Masked Aadhaar as a form of ID without exposing your complete Aadhaar number.
• Reduced Misuse: The partial concealment of your Aadhaar number minimizes the chances of malicious actors misusing your Aadhaar details for fraudulent activities.
• Virtual ID Functionality: The Masked Aadhaar provides a Virtual ID (VID) that can be used for authentication purposes instead of your actual Aadhaar number, adding an extra layer of security.

How to Download Your Masked Aadhaar Card Online?

The masked Aadhaar Card can be downloaded online through UIDAI’s official website. To download it online, follow the steps provided below:

Step 1: Access the UIDAI Website

• Open your preferred web browser and navigate to the official UIDAI website: https://uidai.gov.in/. 

Step 2: Locate the Download Section

• Scroll down the homepage until you find the “Get Aadhaar” section.
• Within this section, click on the “Download Aadhaar” option to proceed to the next stage.

Step 3: Choose the Aadhaar Number Option

• On the following page, you’ll be presented with three options for downloading your Aadhaar: a. Aadhaar Number b. Enrollment ID c. Virtual ID (VID)
• For this process, select the “Aadhaar Number” option.

Step 4: Enter Your Aadhaar Details

• In the designated field, carefully input your 12-digit Aadhaar number.
• Below this field, you’ll notice a captcha code – enter this code in the provided space.

Step 5: Request One-Time Password (OTP)

• After entering your Aadhaar number and captcha, click on the “Send OTP” button.
• The system will send a One-Time Password to the mobile number registered with your Aadhaar.

Step 6: Enable the Masked Aadhaar Option

• Before entering the OTP, look for the option that says “Do you want to download masked Aadhaar?” This is a crucial step – make sure to click on this option to enable it. The button should turn blue when successfully selected.

Step 7: Enter OTP and Initiate Download

• Input the OTP you received on your registered mobile number.
• Once entered, click on the “Verify and Download” button to proceed.

Step 8: Save Your Masked Aadhaar Card

• Upon successful verification, you’ll see a success message, and your Masked Aadhaar card will begin downloading automatically.
• Choose a secure location on your device to save the downloaded file.

Step 9: Open Your Masked Aadhaar Card

• Locate the downloaded file on your device – it will be in PDF format. When you attempt to open the file, you’ll be prompted for a password. The password to open the Aadhaar Card PDF is a combination of:
• The first four letters of your name (as written on your Aadhaar card) in capital letters
• Followed by your year of birth

For example, if your name is Rahul Kumar and you were born in 1990, your password would be RAHU1990.

Enter the correct password and click “Open” to view your Masked Aadhaar card.

Understanding Your Masked Aadhaar Card

Once you’ve successfully opened your Masked Aadhaar card, you’ll notice several key features:

• Masked Aadhaar Number: The first 8 digits of your Aadhaar number will be replaced with Xs, displaying only the last 4 digits.
• Virtual ID (VID): A 16-digit Virtual ID will be visible on your Masked Aadhaar card. This VID can be used for authentication purposes instead of your actual Aadhaar number, providing an additional layer of security.
• QR Code: The Masked Aadhaar card includes a QR code containing your Aadhaar details in encrypted form. This can be scanned for quick verification when needed.
• Personal Details: Your name, address, date of birth, gender, and photograph will remain visible, just as they appear on a regular Aadhaar card.

Utilizing Your Masked Aadhaar Card

Your Masked Aadhaar card holds the same validity as your regular Aadhaar card. You can use it for various purposes, including:

• Proof of identity
• Address verification
• Any service requiring Aadhaar authentication

When using your Masked Aadhaar card, you have the option to provide the Virtual ID instead of your actual Aadhaar number for enhanced security.

Generate or Renew Your Virtual ID

For added security, you can change or renew the Virtual ID on your Masked Aadhaar card at any time. You can also use this VID to download your Aadhaar Card or Masked Aadhaar Card online. To generate or renew of Virtual ID number, follow the steps provided below:

• Visit the official website of Aadhaar https://myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in/
• On the main page, locate and click on the “VID Generator” option.

• Now, enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number.
• Enter the captcha code displayed on the screen.
• Then, click on the ‘Send OTP‘ button.

• An OTP will be sent to your Aadhaar-registered mobile number.
• Enter the received OTP and click on the “Generate” button.

• Your newly generated Virtual ID will be sent directly to your Aadhaar registered mobile number.

• Make sure to note down this VID and store it securely.
• You can now use this VID instead of your Aadhaar number for various authentication purposes.
• Remember, generating a new VID will invalidate the previous one.

Additional Security Measures

While the Masked Aadhaar card significantly enhances your privacy, it’s crucial to implement additional security measures:

1. Never share your Aadhaar number, VID, or any Aadhaar-related details with unknown individuals or on unsecured platforms.
2. Regularly review your Aadhaar authentication history to detect any unauthorized use.
3. Enable biometric or OTP-based locking for your Aadhaar to prevent misuse.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

You may encounter some issues while downloading or using your Masked Aadhaar card. Here are solutions to common problems:

• OTP not received: Ensure your mobile number is correctly registered with UIDAI. If the issue persists, visit your nearest Aadhaar Seva Kendra for assistance.
• Incorrect password: Double-check that you’re entering the first four letters of your name exactly as it appears on your Aadhaar card, followed by your birth year.
• Download failure: Check your internet connection and try again. If the problem continues, clear your browser cache and cookies before retrying.
• Masked Aadhaar not accepted: While most organizations accept Masked Aadhaar, some might require the full Aadhaar number. In such cases, you may need to provide additional identification or use the regular Aadhaar card.

Conclusion

Downloading a Masked Aadhaar card is a simple yet effective way to enhance the security of your Aadhaar information. By following the steps outlined in this comprehensive guide, you can easily obtain your Masked Aadhaar card and enjoy its added privacy benefits.

As we navigate an increasingly digital world, tools like the Masked Aadhaar card play a crucial role in safeguarding our identities. Remember to use your Masked Aadhaar responsibly and continue to protect your personal information in all your digital interactions. Stay vigilant, stay secure, and take control of your digital identity with the Masked Aadhaar card.