Masked Aadhaar Card Download: Step-by-Step UIDAI Guide (2026)

A masked Aadhaar is a PDF issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) where the first 8 digits of your Aadhaar number are replaced with 'X' and only the last 4 digits are visible. Everything else — name, photo, DOB, gender, address, QR code — stays the same.

UIDAI recommends the masked version whenever you have to share Aadhaar with a non-government entity (hotel, courier, coaching centre, private employer) so your full number cannot be misused.

The only official source is https://myaadhaar.uidai.in (run by UIDAI, Government of India). Do NOT download from any third-party site — they cannot issue a valid signed Aadhaar.

• Open https://myaadhaar.uidai.in in your browser
• Click Login and enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number + captcha
• Click Send OTP — a 6-digit OTP is sent to your Aadhaar-registered mobile number
• Enter the OTP and log in
• On the dashboard, click Download Aadhaar
• Select Masked Aadhaar (checkbox above the download button)
• Click Download — a password-protected PDF is saved to your device

The downloaded PDF is encrypted. The password is the first 4 letters of your name in CAPITAL LETTERS + your year of birth (YYYY).

Examples:

• Name: Ravi Kumar, DOB: 1992 → Password: RAVI1992
• Name: Priya Singh, DOB: 1988 → Password: PRIY1988
• Name: Om Prakash, DOB: 1975 → Password: OMPR1975 (name shorter than 4 letters: use full name + YYYY)

Use the name exactly as printed on the Aadhaar. If your PDF won't open, that's almost always the cause.

If you only have your 28-digit Enrolment ID from the acknowledgement slip:

• Go to https://myaadhaar.uidai.in/genricDownloadAadhaar
• Select Enrolment ID (EID)
• Enter the 14-digit EID + 14-digit date & time (as printed on the slip)
• Enter captcha, request OTP on the mobile number you gave at enrolment
• Tick Masked Aadhaar and download

Aadhaar download by OTP requires a registered mobile number. If yours is not registered or updated:

• Visit any Aadhaar Seva Kendra (find nearest at https://appointments.uidai.gov.in) with original Aadhaar
• Fill the mobile update form, pay ₹50, give biometric
• Once the mobile is updated (usually 24–72 hrs), you can download online

Alternatively you can order a PVC Aadhaar card to be delivered to your address for ₹50 via https://myaadhaar.uidai.in/genricPVC — no mobile OTP needed if you have an alternate mobile.

Yes. As per UIDAI circulars, a masked e-Aadhaar downloaded from the official portal is a valid proof of identity for all purposes where Aadhaar is accepted, because:

• It carries the same digital signature from UIDAI (verify in any PDF reader — signature panel must say 'Signed by NIC sub-CA for Digital Signature, National Informatics Centre')
• The QR code contains full demographic data that any authorised entity can scan
• Hotels, airlines, telecom operators and most private verifiers are advised to accept masked Aadhaar to reduce data-leak risk

Only certain government KYC processes may need the full number.

• Verify the digital signature is green in Adobe Reader before sharing
• Never share your OTP with anyone — UIDAI never asks for it over call
• Use masked version everywhere except direct government KYC
• Generate a Virtual ID (VID) at https://myaadhaar.uidai.in/genericGenerateOrRetrieveVID for even higher privacy
• Report fraud to UIDAI toll-free 1947 or help@uidai.gov.in

Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) Government of India, Ministry of Electronics & IT Bangla Sahib Road, Behind Kali Mandir Gole Market, New Delhi – 110001

• Toll-free helpline: 1947 (24×7)
• Email: help@uidai.gov.in
• Website: https://uidai.gov.in
• Self-service portal: https://myaadhaar.uidai.in
• mAadhaar app: Google Play / App Store (developer: UIDAI)