UIDAI to Launch School-Based Biometric Aadhaar Updates for Children Within Two Months
UIDAI to Launch School-Based Biometric Aadhaar Updates for Children Within Two Months
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is set to roll out a new initiative enabling school-aged children to update their Aadhaar biometrics directly through educational institutions. Expected to launch within the next 45 to 60 days, this move aims to make the process more convenient for families while ensuring compliance with Aadhaar rules for minors.
UIDAI CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar confirmed that the plan is currently in the testing stage. Once finalized, biometric machines will be sent to districts across the country and systematically rotated across schools. With parental consent, children will be able to complete their biometric updates on school premises—eliminating the need to visit enrollment centers.
“There are over 7 crore children who haven’t updated their Aadhaar after turning five, even though it’s mandatory,” Kumar noted, underlining the importance of the new system.
Why These Updates Matter
According to UIDAI guidelines, children must undergo a Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU) after turning five years old. If this is not done by the age of seven, the Aadhaar number may be deactivated. The update is free if completed between ages five and seven; after that, a fee of ₹100 applies.
A second biometric update is also required around age 15 to reflect physical changes during adolescence. UIDAI plans to expand the school-based model to secondary schools and colleges to facilitate this second update phase as well.
Aadhaar for Children: More Than Just an ID
Currently, Aadhaar enrollment for children under five is done without biometric data. These updates become critical as the child grows, helping them access services such as school admissions, scholarships, exam registrations, and various government benefits linked to Aadhaar.
“Aadhaar plays a vital role in enabling access to government schemes,” Kumar said. “By bringing the process into schools, we’re ensuring more children can complete their updates easily and benefit from services without disruption.”
The initiative reflects UIDAI’s broader mission to make Aadhaar services more accessible, efficient, and child-friendly—ensuring every eligible child stays connected to essential services and entitlements.
