The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has been running a nationwide drive to help schoolchildren complete their mandatory biometric updates. As of August 18, more than 2 crore such updates had been completed across around 1.56 lakh schools.
Who needs a biometric update?
Aadhaar biometric information needs to be updated when a child turns 5 and again when the child turns 15.
At the time of Aadhaar enrolment for children below five years, demographic details and a photograph are captured, while fingerprints and iris biometrics are not collected as these biometrics are still developing.
The mandatory biometric update helps replace the child’s earlier biometric information with updated fingerprints, iris and photograph as the child grows.
When is the biometric update free?
UIDAI has made the mandatory biometric update free for children aged 5-17 years until September 30, 2026.
The charge for children aged 7-15 years was waived for one year from October 1, 2025. Biometric updates for children aged 5-7 years and 15-17 years continue to be free of charge.
Therefore, the current fee waiver effectively makes the mandatory biometric update free for children between 5 and 17 years of age until September 30.How can parents complete the process?
Parents or guardians can take the child to an Aadhaar enrolment or update centre to complete the mandatory biometric update.
UIDAI has also been coordinating with state and Union Territory education departments and schools, with school-level camps being organised as part of the special drive. The initiative has been supported by integration with the Unified District Information System for Education Plus, which helps identify children’s biometric update status at schools.
Parents should check whether their child’s mandatory biometric update is due and complete the process before the September 30 deadline to avail the current fee waiver.
Why is the biometric update important?
UIDAI has said that timely biometric updates help ensure smoother Aadhaar authentication as children move through school and higher education.
An incomplete mandatory biometric update may create difficulties with Aadhaar authentication for certain government schemes and benefits and for registration for examinations such as NEET, JEE and CUET, where Aadhaar authentication may be required.