Have You Updated Your Aadhaar? Don’t Ignore This Important Rule

Have You Updated Your Aadhaar? Don’t Ignore This Important Rule

Aadhaar is essential for accessing government schemes, certificates, scholarships, and many other services. Even if you obtained your Aadhaar at a young age, it must be updated at specific stages. Many people are facing difficulties simply because these updates were skipped. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has clearly advised that children’s Aadhaar must be updated after 5 years of age and again before turning 15.

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Aadhaar for Newborns and Young Children

Aadhaar issued to children from birth up to the age of five is known as Bal Aadhaar. It includes only the child’s photograph, name, and date of birth. At this stage, fingerprints and iris scans are not collected. The Aadhaar is issued based on the details of one of the parents.

UIDAI has stated that biometric details—fingerprints and iris—must be added once the child completes five years of age.

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Mandatory Update After Five Years

If Aadhaar was issued before the child turned five, a Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU) is required after five years. This is the child’s first biometric update. During this process, complete biometric data is collected for the first time.
Importantly, the Aadhaar number remains the same. According to the Aadhaar Regulations, 2016, this update is compulsory for all children.

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What Happens If You Don’t Update?

If the Aadhaar is not updated after the child turns five, the Aadhaar number may be deactivated. UIDAI has specified that the biometric update must be completed within two years—ideally before the child turns seven.

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Documents Required

• First-time Aadhaar (Bal Aadhaar): Birth certificate and Aadhaar of one parent

• Children below five years do not need to visit Aadhaar centers

• Biometric updates (after 5 and 15 years): Child’s presence is mandatory

Currently, Aadhaar updates for children below 17 years are provided free of cost.

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Bottom line: If your child has an Aadhaar, make sure the biometric updates are completed on time. A small delay today can lead to big problems later.