Aadhaar vs e-Aadhaar vs Masked Aadhaar

What each Aadhaar format is, what it shows, and which one suits a printed copy you will carry.

The formats

The Aadhaar letter is the paper document UIDAI sends after enrolment. The e-Aadhaar is the digital copy of that record, a password-protected PDF. A masked Aadhaar is a version of the e-Aadhaar that hides all but the last four digits of the number.

Which to print

Print the version that matches your purpose. A masked copy limits how much of your number a card in your wallet reveals. If an organisation asks for the full number, it will tell you which format it accepts.

Whichever you print, we reproduce the file exactly. We cannot mask or edit it, so choose the right file before you upload.

Common questions

Can I print the Aadhaar letter I received by post? Yes, if you scan or photograph it clearly. The letter, the e-Aadhaar and the masked version all print the same way: we reproduce the file you upload.

Does masking change my Aadhaar? No. A masked copy only hides part of the number in that copy. Your Aadhaar and its record are unchanged.

Which one should I carry? Carry what you actually need. If a form only needs your identity and not the full number, a masked copy reveals less if the card is lost.

Before you print

Open the file and read the number, name and photograph at full size. Make sure it is the version you intend: full or masked. Remember that we cannot change it for you once it is uploaded.

Keep the original file on your own device, and share a printed copy only with organisations that need it.

About this guide

Prepared by GiftKida and last updated on 27 October 2026. We print files you supply and do not issue or change Aadhaar documents. This is general information, not legal advice. If something here is unclear or out of date, tell us through the contact page and we will correct it.