Aadhaar has become an important identity document for banking, government services and digital verification. But one common mistake people make is sharing a photocopy or the complete 12-digit Aadhaar number whenever someone asks for identification.

UIDAI provides two useful features that can help people limit unnecessary exposure of their Aadhaar number: Masked Aadhaar and Virtual ID (VID). Both are available through the official MyAadhaar services.

What is Masked Aadhaar?

Masked Aadhaar is an electronic version of Aadhaar in which the first eight digits of the 12-digit Aadhaar number are hidden.

Only the last four digits remain visible.

For example, instead of displaying:

1234 5678 9012

a masked version would show:

XXXX XXXX 9012

This can be useful when you need to provide Aadhaar as an identity document but do not necessarily need to disclose the complete Aadhaar number.

UIDAI currently provides the option to download Masked Aadhaar through the MyAadhaar portal. The service is free and requires mobile OTP authentication.

What is Virtual ID?

Virtual ID, commonly called VID, is a temporary 16-digit number that can be used in place of your Aadhaar number for certain authentication or e-KYC purposes.

The important point is that your actual Aadhaar number does not need to be disclosed when a service supports VID.

UIDAI lists generation of a 16-digit VID as one of its Aadhaar security services.

Why should you use these features?

Suppose a service provider asks you for Aadhaar verification.

Instead of automatically sending a photograph of your complete Aadhaar card over WhatsApp or email, first check whether the organisation accepts Masked Aadhaar or VID.

This can reduce unnecessary sharing of your full Aadhaar number.

However, whether a particular organisation accepts these alternatives depends on the service and its authentication requirements.

Another useful Aadhaar security feature: Lock biometrics

UIDAI also provides a facility to lock Aadhaar biometrics.

Once biometric locking is enabled, fingerprint and iris-based authentication can be restricted. This can provide an additional layer of protection against unauthorised biometric authentication.

UIDAI lists biometric lock/unlock as an Aadhaar security service on its official portal.

How to download Masked Aadhaar

The process is relatively simple:

1. Go to the official UIDAI/MyAadhaar website.
2. Select the option to download Aadhaar.
3. Enter your Aadhaar number or other required details.
4. Complete the OTP verification using your registered mobile number.
5. Select the option for Masked Aadhaar, where available.
6. Download the electronic copy.

Always make sure that you are using the official UIDAI website rather than a third-party website claiming to provide Aadhaar services.

How to generate a Virtual ID

You can use the Virtual ID service through UIDAI's Aadhaar services.

After authentication, UIDAI generates a 16-digit VID associated with your Aadhaar.

The VID can subsequently be used for supported authentication services instead of revealing the actual Aadhaar number.

If you generate a new VID, the previous VID becomes invalid according to the applicable UIDAI system rules.

Never share your Aadhaar OTP

Aadhaar OTP is used for authentication and several online services.

Never share an OTP with a person simply because they claim to be calling from a bank, government department, courier company or UIDAI.

If someone asks you to tell them your Aadhaar OTP over a phone call, treat it as a warning sign.

Enter OTPs only on the official website or application where you have personally initiated the transaction.

Check where your Aadhaar is being used

If you are concerned about Aadhaar authentication activity, UIDAI provides authentication-history functionality through its Aadhaar services.

Checking authentication records periodically can help you identify activity that you do not recognise.

If you notice something suspicious, use UIDAI's official grievance and security-related channels rather than responding to an unknown caller or message.

Aadhaar does not have to be your everyday photocopy

One of the simplest habits you can adopt is to avoid carrying and repeatedly distributing photocopies of your complete Aadhaar card.

Depending on the requirement, consider whether the organisation actually needs:

• Full Aadhaar number
• Masked Aadhaar
• VID
• Another officially accepted identity document

The correct option depends on the specific service.

Quick Aadhaar safety checklist

Before sharing Aadhaar, remember:

• Use Masked Aadhaar when a full Aadhaar number is not required.
• Use VID where the service supports it.
• Never share Aadhaar OTP with anyone.
• Consider locking biometrics when you do not need biometric authentication.
• Download Aadhaar only from official UIDAI services.
• Do not send Aadhaar documents to unknown WhatsApp numbers or email addresses.
• Check Aadhaar authentication history if you suspect unauthorised use.