Aadhar card is the most important document, any Indian has to have. Over the years, it has become a necessary document for identification. Whether you are opening a bank account, doing any financial transaction, bookings, or just traveling, you have to have an Aadhaar card with you. Being a crucial document for Identification and address proof, It requires to be kept safe all the time. Having said that, there might be a chance of it getting lost so how do you think it can be kept safe? Previously, there had been concerns over the safety of the Aadhar card. Keeping all these safety concerns of Aadhar card UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India) has come up with a new feature in Aadhar card ‘Masked Aadhar’ card.

In the Masked Aadhar card, the first eight digits will be masked and only the last four digits will be visible. The first eight digits, being masked, will not be visible to anyone, thus your Aadhar card will be safe from getting misused by any other person. The first eight digits will be shown as XXXX-XXXX, which are considered as the base digits.

How to download Masked Aadhar card:

• The process of downloading a Masked Aadhar card is very simple and convenient, follow these steps:
• first, go to the UIDAI website, and click on the ‘Download Aadhar’ option.
• There will three options- Aadhar Number/ Enrollment ID (EID)/ Virtual ID (VID). Choose the option.
• Then fill in your Aadhar Number and tick the box ‘I want a masked Aadhar?’.
• Click on ‘Send OTP’, An OTP will be sent to your linked mobile phone.
• Enter the OTP, other details as well, and then click on the ‘Download Aadhar’.
• Your ‘Masked Aadhar’ card is ready to be downloaded.
• Your Masked Aadhar card will be password protected and will be available in PDF format. The password will be sent to your email.

The new format of the Masked Aadhar card will surely help maintain the security of the users. Aadhar card now comes in two versions-Regular Aadhar card and a Masked Aadhar card. Here are the benefits of the Masked Aadhar card:

• A masked Aadhar card is safer than a physical copy or the photocopy of your Aadhar card as a form of an e-Aadhar card so it has no chance of getting misplaced.
• It is password-protected, so there is no chance of it getting accessed by anyone else.
• The first eight digits are hidden so no one will be able to see them or misuse them.
• Any transaction can be done by using a QR code it does not show any other information except QR code and demographic information.
• It is an authorized proof of identity from UIDAI and equally valid as the physical copy of the Aadhar card.

Masked Aadhar option has been initiated against the multiple cases of privacy breach of an individual’s identity, address, photographs, and financial data. A valid Aadhar card of an individual contains a lot of sensitive information about the individual that could be crucial to him. Masked Aadhar card option will certainly help maintain confidentiality.