Aadhaar has become a cornerstone of identity verification in India, serving as a vital KYC (Know Your Customer) document for various financial transactions, including personal loans. When applying for a personal loan, an Aadhaar card is instrumental in verifying an individual's identity and residential address, streamlining the lending process. This brings us to the concept of a "Masked Aadhaar," an alternative to the regular Aadhaar card, which enhances privacy by masking the first 8 digits of your Aadhaar number. This article will delve into what Masked Aadhaar is, how it works, and why it might be a preferable option for safeguarding your personal information while maintaining the functionality of Aadhaar as a KYC document.
What is the masked Aadhaar card?
A masked Aadhaar card is a version of the Aadhaar card where the first 8 digits of the 12-digit Aadhaar number are masked or hidden, revealing only the last 4 digits. This partial masking enhances privacy and security when sharing Aadhaar details for authentication or verification purposes. The masked Aadhaar card can be used in situations where disclosing the full Aadhaar number is not required, providing individuals with a more secure way to share their Aadhaar information while protecting sensitive personal data. The concept of a masked Aadhaar card was introduced by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to safeguard individuals' privacy and prevent potential misuse of Aadhaar numbers.
What makes a masked Aadhaar card different from a regular Aadhaar card?
The Masked Aadhaar Card differs from a regular Aadhaar Card primarily in terms of the visibility of the Aadhaar number. Here are the key differences:
- Partial masking of Aadhaar number: In a masked Aadhaar card, the first 8 digits of the 12-digit Aadhaar number are replaced with 'x' or '*' characters, revealing only the last 4 digits. This masking enhances privacy by concealing a significant portion of the Aadhaar number.
- Enhanced security: Masking the Aadhaar number reduces the risk of identity theft or misuse of Aadhaar information. It ensures that individuals can share their Aadhaar details for authentication or verification purposes without revealing their complete Aadhaar number.
- Suitability for certain use cases: The Masked Aadhaar Card is particularly useful in situations where sharing the full Aadhaar number is unnecessary or poses a privacy risk. For instance, it can be used for eKYC (electronic know your customer) processes, where only limited identification information is required.
- Validity and acceptance: Despite the masking, a masked Aadhaar card remains a valid form of identification accepted by various government and private agencies. It retains essential details such as the individual's name, photograph, and demographic information, ensuring usability for most purposes.
How do I download the masked Aadhaar card?
To download a masked Aadhaar card from the UIDAI website, follow these simplified steps:
- Visit the official UIDAI website and go to the "Download Aadhaar" section.
- Input your Aadhaar number, name, and the displayed security code, and then choose the "Masked Aadhaar" option.
- Confirm that your request by entering the OTP sent to your registered mobile number.
- Download the masked Aadhaar card, which will be saved as a PDF file.
- To access the PDF, enter the password, which consists of the first four uppercase letters of your name followed by your birth year.
How to download masked Aadhaar using EID?
To download your UIDAI masked Aadhaar using your Enrollment ID (EID), follow these steps:
- Visit the UIDAI Portal: Go to the official UIDAI website.
- Navigate to the Aadhaar Download Section: Look for the 'Download Aadhaar' option on the homepage.
- Enter Your Details: Choose the option to download using EID. Enter your Enrollment ID (EID) along with the date and time of enrollment as provided during your Aadhaar registration.
- Verify Your Identity: You will need to input a captcha code to verify that you are not a robot.
- Receive OTP: An OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number. Enter this OTP to authenticate your request.
- Download the PDF: Once authenticated, you can download the UIDAI masked Aadhaar as a password-protected PDF. Use the prescribed password format to access your Aadhaar card.
This process ensures a secure and accessible way to retrieve your Aadhaar details while maintaining privacy.
How to download masked Aadhaar using VID?
To download your UIDAI masked Aadhaar card using your Virtual ID (VID), follow these steps:
- Visit the UIDAI Website: Go to the official UIDAI website.
- Select ‘Download Aadhaar’: Click on the 'Download Aadhaar' option available on the homepage.
- Choose VID Option: Select the option to download your UIDAI masked Aadhaar card using your VID.
- Enter Your VID: Input your Virtual ID along with the security code displayed on the screen.
- Authenticate via OTP: An OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number. Enter this OTP to proceed.
- Download the Masked Aadhaar PDF: After successful verification, you can download your UIDAI masked Aadhaar card as a password-protected PDF. Use the specified password format to access the document.
This method ensures your Aadhaar details remain protected while allowing easy access through your VID.
What is the password for the masked Aadhaar card?
When you download a masked Aadhaar card, it arrives as a password-protected PDF file. To unlock this file, you'll need a password for the masked Aadhaar, which is created by combining the first four letters of your name in uppercase (as shown on your Aadhaar card) with your birth year in YYYY format. For example, if your name is Rohan and your birth year is 1984, the password to access your Aadhaar PDF will be ROHA1984. This format helps keep your Aadhaar data secure while allowing you to access it.
Why should you use a masked Aadhaar card instead of a regular Aadhaar card?
Utilising a masked Aadhaar card provides additional security and privacy advantages, particularly when you need to submit your Aadhaar information for various transactions, such as applying for personal loan. By concealing part of your Aadhaar number, a masked Aadhaar card helps minimise the potential for identity theft and prevents the misuse of your Aadhaar details.
Acceptance of masked Aadhaar card
Acceptance of a masked Aadhaar card has become increasingly common due to its enhanced security features. Here’s how a masked Aadhaar card, including an Aadhaar card digital copy, is recognized and used:
- Widespread Recognition: Many institutions, including banks and government agencies, accept a masked Aadhaar card as a valid proof of identity. This is because it still contains essential details necessary for verification, while obscuring sensitive information.
- Digital Convenience: An Aadhaar card digital copy is often accepted for online processes. It provides a secure way to verify your identity without needing to present a physical document.
- Security Measures: The masked Aadhaar card protects your Aadhaar number by concealing it, reducing the risk of misuse while still serving as a legitimate form of identification.
- Compliance: Ensure that the masked Aadhaar card meets the specific requirements set by the entity requesting it.
Overall, the acceptance of a masked Aadhaar card facilitates secure and convenient identity verification in various scenarios.
How KYC documents such as an Aadhaar card are useful while applying for a personal loan
KYC documents like the Aadhaar card are essential requirements when applying for a personal loan. Lenders use these documents to verify your identity, address, and other necessary details. The Aadhaar card simplifies the KYC process due to its government-backed authenticity and digital availability.
When applying for a personal loan, having a valid and verified Aadhaar card can expedite the loan approval process. It helps lenders establish your identity and eligibility criteria swiftly, facilitating a smoother loan application experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding the concept of masked Aadhaar and its relevance in financial transactions like personal loan applications is crucial in today's data-driven world. By opting for a masked Aadhaar card, individuals can safeguard their privacy and minimise the risks associated with identity theft or the unauthorised use of Aadhaar information. When applying for personal loans, ensuring that your KYC documents, including your Aadhaar card, are in order can significantly streamline the loan approval process. Therefore, embracing security measures like masked Aadhaar can enhance both convenience and protection in your financial interactions.
