Official UIDAI privacy-compliant Aadhaar format masking the first 8 digits (xxxx-xxxx-1234) with verifiable dynamic QR code, approved by RBI, IRDAI, and TRAI for hotels, SIM cards, and KYC
Under UIDAI advisories, sharing full 12-digit physical photocopies with hotels, cinema halls, or unverified agents risks identity spoofing. Under law, private entities cannot force you to share an unmasked Aadhaar.
đĄ A Masked Aadhaar Card is an official, legally recognized variant of the Aadhaar card issued by UIDAI where the first 8 digits of your 12-digit number are blacked out or masked with 'XXXX-XXXX', leaving only the last 4 digits visible. It includes a cryptographically signed dynamic QR code, photograph, and demographic details. By law, regulatory bodies (RBI, IRDAI, TRAI, and SEBI) mandate that private entities, hotels, and verification agents must accept Masked Aadhaar instead of demanding full unmasked copies.
Compare the privacy levels and legal validity of different Aadhaar formats.
| Feature | Masked Aadhaar Card | Regular Aadhaar Card | Virtual ID (VID) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number Displayed | XXXX-XXXX-1234 (Only last 4 digits visible) | 1234-5678-9012 (All 12 digits visible) | 16-digit temporary algorithmic number |
| Privacy & Security | Highest physical security; immune to identity theft | Low physical security; risk of unauthorized harvesting | Highest digital security; revocable at will |
| Hotel Check-In & Travel | 100% Legally Valid under Ministry of Tourism & UIDAI circulars | Accepted, but carries privacy risk | Not applicable for physical printout |
| Government Subsidy / DBT Schemes | Not accepted for initial bank-Aadhaar seeding | Mandatory for DBT scheme enrollment | Accepted for digital authentication |
Instant online generation and PDF download within 60 seconds on the official myAadhaar portal or mAadhaar mobile app.
100% Free of cost for electronic download via myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in.
Any individual residing in India who possesses a valid 12-digit Aadhaar number with a registered mobile number to receive the UIDAI authentication OTP.
Any Indian resident checking into hotels, renting apartments, visiting commercial office buildings, purchasing event tickets, or completing offline KYC at telecom and financial outlets who wants to protect their 12-digit biometric Aadhaar number from unauthorized harvesting and identity theft.
Go to myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in and click on the 'Download Aadhaar' tile.
Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number (or 16-digit VID), type the security captcha code, and click 'Send OTP'.
CRITICAL STEP: Before entering the OTP, look for the checkbox question: 'Do you want a masked Aadhaar?'. Check this box to enable masking.
Enter the 6-digit OTP received on your UIDAI-registered mobile number and click 'Verify & Download'.
The downloaded PDF is secured with an 8-character password consisting of the first 4 letters of your name in CAPITAL letters followed by your birth year in YYYY format.
If an online portal or offline form requires a unique identifier instead of your real Aadhaar number:
Navigate to myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in â 'VID Generator'.
Enter your Aadhaar number, verify the mobile OTP, and select 'Generate VID'. A 16-digit temporary, revocable Virtual ID is sent to your mobile via SMS.
Quote the 16-digit VID instead of your 12-digit Aadhaar number for SIM activation, banking KYC, and e-Sign. The receiving entity cannot see or store your real Aadhaar number.
Verifying authorities can authenticate a Masked Aadhaar without seeing the first 8 digits:
Download the official 'Aadhaar QR Scanner' application developed by UIDAI from Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
Point the device camera at the large dynamic QR code on the Masked Aadhaar card.
The scanner instantly displays the holder's photo, verified name, date of birth, address, and the UIDAI cryptographic digital signature confirming authenticity.
What to do when private vendors or hotels refuse to accept Masked Aadhaar.
| Situation | Legal Position | Recommended Immediate Action |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel desk insists on taking full unmasked Aadhaar photocopy | UIDAI Circular No. 10 of 2022 and Ministry of Tourism Advisory | Inform the manager that under Section 29 of the Aadhaar Act, private entities cannot store unmasked Aadhaar numbers. Offer the Masked Aadhaar with QR code or provide your Driving Licence/Voter ID. |
| Cannot receive OTP to download Masked Aadhaar | Mobile number linked to Aadhaar | If your mobile number changed or is unlinked, visit your nearest Aadhaar Seva Kendra (ASK) or post office to update your biometric mobile record for âš50. |
| Password fails when opening the downloaded PDF | Exact spelling in UIDAI records | If your name has initials (e.g., 'K S Suresh'), enter the first 4 characters including spaces or initials (e.g., 'K S ' + YYYY). Check the exact name format on your original enrollment slip. |
| QR code scanner shows 'Signature Invalid' | Scanner application authenticity | Do not use generic barcode scanner apps. Use strictly the official 'Aadhaar QR Scanner' published by UIDAI to validate the cryptographic signature. |
Yes. A Masked Aadhaar is an officially generated document by UIDAI and carries the same legal weight as a regular Aadhaar card for identification and proof of address. Regulatory bodies including the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), IRDAI, TRAI, and SEBI have issued circulars directing all banks, insurers, and telecom providers to accept Masked Aadhaar for offline KYC.
The password is an 8-character combination: the first 4 letters of your legal name in CAPITAL letters followed by your Year of Birth in YYYY format. For example, if your name is ANITA SHARMA and you were born in 1994, the password is ANIT1994. If your name is RIA born in 1990, the password is RIA1990.
Yes. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) recognizes Masked Aadhaar as a valid government-issued photo identity proof for entry into Indian civil airports and domestic flight boarding.
No. Under circulars issued by UIDAI and State Police citizen guidelines, hotels need only verify the guest's identity and record the last 4 digits of the ID. Hotels are prohibited from storing or retaining physical photocopies of full unmasked 12-digit Aadhaar cards.
Currently, UIDAI's âš50 PVC card ordering service prints the full 12-digit Aadhaar number with security hologram. Masked Aadhaar is available primarily in digital electronic PDF format, which can be printed on paper or plastic cards for personal carry.
Amended Section 4 of the Aadhaar Act to permit voluntary use of Aadhaar in physical or electronic form with masking features.
Checked on November 4, 2026
View Reference Document âMandates that regulated financial institutions must redact or mask the first 8 digits of Aadhaar when receiving offline physical copies.
Checked on November 4, 2026
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Download Masked Aadhaar on myAadhaar Portal â