Child Aadhaar Update: The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has taken a groundbreaking step to simplify the Aadhaar card update process for children. From now on, parents will no longer have to stand in long queues at Aadhaar centers. The government has planned to update children’s biometric information by going directly to schools. It is reported that this new system will be implemented in phases within the next two months.
The main objective of this initiative is to reach all those children who have not had their Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU) done after completing the age of five. According to government data, there are more than seven crore such children in the country. Failure to get this update puts many children’s Aadhaar numbers at risk of deactivation. Through this new method, this important work will be completed on the school premises with parental consent, which will save time and make the process much more convenient.
Key aspects of this new system:
- School-based Updates: UIDAI will provide biometric machines to each district, which will be rotated through various schools. This will make it possible to update children’s biometric information (fingerprints and iris scans) on the school premises.
- Cost: This mandatory biometric update will be completely free for children between the ages of 5 and 7. However, if the child is over 7 years old, a fee of ₹100 has been set for this update.
- Mandatory Update: According to the rules, it is mandatory for children to have their biometrics updated for the first time at the age of five and a second time at the age of fifteen. If this update is not done on time, the Aadhaar number may be deactivated, which risks exclusion from various government scheme benefits.
- Why this update is crucial: An updated Aadhaar card is extremely important for children. A valid and updated Aadhaar number is essential for accessing services such as school admissions, participating in various entrance exams, government scholarships, and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes.
The CEO of UIDAI has stated that the technical aspects of this project are currently being tested and it will be fully ready in the next 45-60 days. Furthermore, the authorities are also planning to conduct the second mandatory biometric update, required at the age of 15, through schools and colleges. This initiative will play a significant role in securing children’s futures and making government services more accessible. Therefore, it is crucial for all parents to be aware of this and get their child’s Aadhaar biometrics updated in a timely manner.
