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Oct 28, 2025By Aishwarya Rao
If your child has an Aadhaar card, there’s important news you shouldn’t miss. From October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is offering free biometric updates for children aged 5 to 17 years.
Understanding Baal Aadhaar
Every child in India can get an Aadhaar card from birth. This first version is called Baal Aadhaar, and it’s blue in color. For children below five, only basic details such as name, date of birth, gender, address, and a photo are recorded; no fingerprints or iris scans are taken.
Why? Because a child’s physical features are still developing, and their biometric data (like fingerprints) will change as they grow. That’s why Aadhaar needs to be updated twice later: first at age 5–7, and again at age 15–17.
The Two Mandatory Biometric Updates (MBUs)
- First Update (Age 5–7 years): If the biometric update is done once between these ages, it is free of cost. This is when the child’s fingerprints, iris scan, and photograph are captured for the first time.
- Second Update (Age 15–17 years): If the update is done once between these ages, it is also free of cost. By this stage, biometric features are mature and stable.
After these age windows, a prescribed fee of ₹125 per mandatory biometric update (MBU) applies. Now, the UIDAI has waived all charges for one full year, making biometric updates completely free for all children in the 5–17 years age group.
Why This Update Matters
Many parents assume that once their child has an Aadhaar, nothing more is needed. But without biometric data, their Aadhaar remains incomplete. This can lead to problems when they try to use it for:
- School admissions and board registrations
- Scholarship applications and entrance exams
- Government welfare schemes or DBT transfers
- Opening a bank account or getting a passport later
With incomplete or outdated biometrics, Aadhaar verification can fail, causing unnecessary hassle or delay. A properly updated Aadhaar ensures smooth access to all rights, services, and opportunities linked to a child’s identity.
Aadhaar and Children’s Rights
Aadhaar has become more than an ID—it’s a gateway to inclusion. For children, it protects their right to be recognized officially and to access benefits meant for them.
- Identity Accuracy: Biometrics make Aadhaar unique to your child, preventing duplication or misuse of identity.
- Equal Access: Aadhaar ensures fair benefit distribution under government schemes like mid-day meals, healthcare, and scholarships.
- Future Readiness: With updated records, your child’s Aadhaar remains valid and useful as they grow into adulthood.
Think of the biometric update as a digital milestone, like renewing their identity as they move through different stages of growth.
How to Update Your Child’s Aadhaar
It’s a simple process that takes only a few minutes.
Steps to follow:
- Visit the nearest enrolment center.
- Carry your child’s Aadhaar card, your Aadhaar card, and proof of the child’s birth (like a birth certificate).
- The staff will take your child’s fingerprints, iris scan, and a new photograph.
- Verify details using an OTP sent to your registered mobile number.
- Check the Aadhaar status online in a few days to ensure updates are complete.
Remember, this service is completely free until September 30, 2026. After that, the normal ₹125 fee will apply.
Why Parents Should Act Now
The free update window is a golden opportunity for families. Completing the biometric update now:
- Saves money
- Prevents Aadhaar-related issues later
- Keeps your child’s identity valid for school and beyond
It’s one simple step that ensures your child won’t miss out on any opportunity due to an incomplete Aadhaar.
Conclusion
Every parent wants to secure their child’s future, and today, a correct and complete Aadhaar is part of that security. The mandatory biometric update is not just a rule to follow but a right to protect. It ensures your child’s identity remains strong, recognized, and ready for the future.
So, before the school year rush begins or exam forms open, take a moment to visit an Aadhaar centre and complete your child’s update. It’s quick, free, and one of the most meaningful responsibilities you can fulfill as a parent today.
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