Many people are confused about different Aadhaar formats available online. UIDAI provides multiple Aadhaar versions to improve privacy and convenience.
What Is e-Aadhaar?
e-Aadhaar is a digitally signed PDF version of Aadhaar, available for download from UIDAI. It is legally valid and equally acceptable as the physical Aadhaar letter.
What Is Masked Aadhaar?
Masked Aadhaar hides the first 8 digits of the Aadhaar number, showing only the last 4 digits. It enhances privacy and reduces misuse risk.
Differences at a Glance
| Feature | e-Aadhaar | Masked Aadhaar |
|---|---|---|
| Full Aadhaar Number | Yes | No |
| Privacy Level | Medium | High |
| Legal Validity | Yes | Yes |
Which One Should You Use?
For KYC and official purposes, e-Aadhaar is useful. For sharing identity casually, masked Aadhaar is safer.
Aadhaar card is one of the most important documents. Aadhaar card is mandatory everywhere from birth to death. Aadhaar card is mandatory for everything from school work to marriage certificate. Not only this, Aadhaar card is also asked for at the railway station for tickets as well as while buying a SIM card. It is necessary to have Aadhaar card with you at all times for many such things.
What is a mask Aadhaar card?
Masked Aadhaar card is different from the regular Aadhaar card that we use. That is, on a regular Aadhaar card, the Aadhaar number of the Aadhaar card holder is in 12 digits. However, keeping in mind the privacy of the Aadhaar card holder on a masked Aadhaar card, the first 8 digits are hidden like xxxx-xxxx. So, only the remaining 4 digits are shown.
Mask Aadhaar card is secure. This Aadhaar card contains the name, address, gender, DOB and QR code of the Aadhaar card holder just like the regular Aadhaar card. The mask Aadhaar card is signed by UIDAI. Therefore, there is no problem in accepting this Aadhaar card.
How to download mask Aadhar card?
Download the mask Aadhaar card from Uidai’s website https://uidai.gov.in/.
After opening the website, click on the ‘My Aadhar’ tab.
Fill in the information asked. After entering the captcha, an OTP will be sent to the mobile number linked with Aadhaar.
You will have to enter the OTP for further verification.
After verification, the ‘Download’ option will appear, click on it.
After that, click on the option Do you need mask Aadhaar? And the mask Aadhaar card will be downloaded. Which will be saved in your phone permanently.
This is how you can download a masked Aadhaar card. This masked Aadhaar card can be used in many places.