New Delhi: Worried about your Aadhaar details getting leaked? Well, you no more need to be as the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has recently introduced a new feature called ‘Mask Aadhaar Card’ in order to safeguard your 12-digital unique identification number. The move by UIDAI comes on the backdrop of several Aadhaar data leak reports as the matter has already reached to the Supreme Court of India. Masked Aadhaar Card is a form of e-Aadhaar Card which can be downloaded from the official website of UIDAI and is safe due to the following reasons:


The Masked Aadhaar Card is safe of data leaks as the 12-digital number mentioned on it is partially covered. This has been done with an intention of not letting citizens' Aadhaar number revealed to others.

The Masked Aadhaar Card is the best possible way for citizens to mask their 12 digit Aadhaar number in your downloaded e-Aadhaar. The Masked Aadhaar Card only shows the last 4 digits of the Aadhaar number instead of all 12 digits in the regular Aadhaar Card. It conceals the rest 8 digits of Aadhaar number.

However, citizens must note that Masked Aadhaar Card shows other details mentioned in the Aadhaar Card including name, date of birth, address, photograph and smart QR code. All those who have their regular Aadhaar Card can download the safer version of it – Masked Aadhaar Card – from the official website of UIDAI i.e. uidai.gov.in.

One can also hide her/his date of birth in the Masked Aadhaar Card. The Masked Aadhar Card is legal proof of identity and can be used everywhere as it is privacy-proof and digitally signed. Citizens use this in place of any other ID.

One can use the Masked Aadhaar Card as regular identification document at airports, on trains for tickets, for linking mobile and all other places. In case, some agencies or businesses refuse to accept the Masked Aadhaar Card, you can raise a complaint as it is issued by UIDAI.

However, one must note that the Masked Aadhaar Card cannot be used for government welfare schemes including LPG subsidy, pension, or Ayushman Bharat as it requires beneficiaries to provide their full Aadhar details and undergo authentication.

How to download masked Aadhar card:

1. Visit the official website of UIDAI i.e. uidai.gov.in

2. Click on the ‘Download Aadhar’ link after landing on the home page

3. A new page will open, enter your Aadhar number, name and pin code

4. Select between ‘regular’ and ‘masked’ Aadhar options

5. After selecting the option, you will receive a one-time password (OTP) on your registered mobile number

6. Post the OTP verification, users can download their Masked Aadhar Card