Aadhaar, the 12-digit unique ID issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), is currently used across India to do a variety of tasks, such as establishing a bank account or investing in a government scheme. Regardless of how useful the unique code is, there is always the risk of fraud and misuse.
Individuals' data privacy has been taken into account by the UIDAI, which has created a new version of Aadhaar dubbed disguised Aadhaar. The UIDAI has provided a masked Aadhaar ID to add an extra degree of protection.
A masked Aadhaar is a 12-digit identification number that may be transmitted without revealing any personal information, reducing the amount of frauds conducted against individuals.
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What is Masked Aadhaar?
"The Mask Aadhaar option allows you to mask your Aadhaar number in your downloaded e-Aadhaar," according to the UIDAI website. Masked Aadhaar numbers are created by substituting the first eight digits of the Aadhaar number with characters such as "xxxx-xxxx," leaving only the last four digits visible." It's a legal technique to get e-copies of your Aadhaar ID without revealing your number.
How to download Masked Aadhaar
1. Go to https://eaadhaar.uidai.gov.in/
2. Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar card number
3. Choose the option ‘I want a masked Aadhaar’
4. Enter the Captcha verification code that will be provided for verification
5. Click on ‘Send OTP’
6. Download the e-Aadhaar copy
7. Enter received OTP and click on “Download Aadhaar”
The Aadhaar letter PDF Password will be in 8 characters.
Combination of the first four letters of your name (as in Aadhaar) in CAPITAL letters and Year of Birth in YYYY format.
Example: Your name is RANJAN KUMAR MISHRA Your Year of Birth is 1985.
Then your e-Aadhaar password is RANJ1985
If the name is Tanmay and the year of birth is 1980, the password will be TANM1980
If the name is Salvi and the year of birth is 2001, the password will be SALV2001
When Masked Aadhaar can be used?
In cases where providing the Aadhaar number is not necessary, masked Aadhaar can be utilised for eKYC. It just shows the last four digits of your Aadhaar number. It is suggested that you download and maintain your masked Aadhaar on hand. You can use it whenever you have a need for it.
Physical copies of the Aadhaar card, as well as e-Aadhaar, masked Aadhaar, and offline electronic xml provided by UIDAI (if voluntarily offered by the client) can be accepted as officially valid documents for KYC purposes, according to a circular issued by UIDAI on October 23, 2018, based on the opinion of the learned Attorney General of India.