In a bid to make the Aadhaar safer, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has introduced a new feature. The UIDAI has introduced ‘Masked Aadhaar’ which is an option that allows one to cover the 12-digit unique identity in the downloaded Aadhaar or e-Aadhaar. This option may prove especially helpful in cases where one feels uneasy sharing their Aadhaar number wherever it is required.

What is a masked Aadhaar?
E-Aadhaar is a password protected electronic copy of Aadhaar, which is digitally signed by UIDAI. As per the Aadhaar Act, e-Aadhaar is equally valid like a physical copy of Aadhaar for all purposes.

In the ‘Masked Aadhaar’ option, the 12 digit identity number will get masked and only the last 4 digits will be shown. However, the
demographic information, photograph, and the QR code will still be there.
The move will help one to use Aadhaar card more as an identity proof. To download the Masked Aadhaar, one will have to use the facility of e-Aadhaar from the UIDAI website (https://eaadhaar.uidai.gov.in/#/). Now, on the page to download an e-Aadhaar, you get to select between ‘Regular’ and ‘Masked’ Aadhaar.

Resident can download e-Aadhaar by:
* Using Enrollment Number: Resident can download e-Aadhaar using a 28 digit enrolment number along with full name and pin code. In this download process, an OTP is sent to your registered mobile number. A resident can also use the TOTP (time-bound OTP) to download e-Aadhaar instead of OTP. TOTP can be generated using the mAadhaar mobile application.

* Using Aadhaar number: Resident can download e-Aadhaar by using the 12 digit Aadhaar number along with full name and pin code. In this download process, an OTP is sent on the registered mobile number. The resident can also use a TOTP to download e-Aadhaar instead of OTP. TOTP can generated using the mAadhaar mobile Application.

* Using the Virtual ID (VID): One can also use the 16 digit VID number to download the ‘masked Aadhaar’.

Source : Click Here