Update your child’s Aadhaar biometrics before 7 or risk deactivation; check fee, how to do it

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) on Tuesday urged parents and guardians to complete the mandatory biometric update for children who have attained the age of seven but have not yet updated their biometrics in Aadhaar.

UIDAI said in a statement that the timely completion of the mandatory biometric update is necessary for maintaining the accuracy and reliability of biometric data.

“If the MBU is not completed even after 7 years of age, the Aadhaar number may be deactivated, as per the existing rules,” it added.

Under Aadhaar enrolment norms, children below the age of five are issued Aadhaar on the basis of their photograph and demographic details, without capturing fingerprints or iris biometrics.

However, once the child reaches five years of age, fingerprints, iris scan, and an updated photograph are mandatorily required to be captured in what is called the first mandatory biometric update.

The agency has started sending SMS messages to the mobile numbers registered in the Aadhaar of such children for completing the exercise.

The authority emphasised that an Aadhaar with updated biometrics enables seamless access to school admissions, registration for entrance examinations, scholarships, and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes, among other services.

“Parents/ guardians are advised to update biometrics of their children/wards in Aadhaar, on priority,” UIDAI added.

Parents or guardians can update the details of their child at any Aadhaar Seva Kendra or designated Aadhaar centre.

UIDAI said that this biometric update is free of cost if carried out between the age of five and seven years. However, after the age of seven, an update fee of ₹100 is charged.