Aadhaar Biometric Updates Now Free For 6 Crore Children Across India

In a pro-people initiative, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has waived all charges for the Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU-1), benefiting an estimated 6 crore children across the country.

The waiver came into effect on 1 October 2025 and will remain valid for a period of one year.

Aadhaar Enrollment and Biometric Updates for Children

Children below the age of five can enroll for Aadhaar by providing their photograph, name, date of birth, gender, address, and birth certificate. Fingerprints and iris scans are not captured at this stage as these biometrics are not fully developed in young children.

According to existing rules, when a child reaches the age of five, their fingerprints, iris, and photograph must be updated in Aadhaar. This process is referred to as the first Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU-1). The second MBU occurs when a child turns 15 years old, requiring another biometric update.

Typically, the first and second MBUs are free if done within the age brackets of 5-7 years and 15-17 years, respectively. Beyond these age ranges, a fee of Rs. 125 per MBU is normally charged. With this new decision, all MBUs for children aged 5-17 years are now free of cost.

Importance of Biometric Updates

Updating Aadhaar biometrics ensures ease of access to services such as school admissions, entrance exam registrations, scholarships, and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes. Parents and guardians are encouraged to prioritize updating the Aadhaar biometrics of their children to facilitate seamless service access.