Blue Aadhaar Card: Big news for parents. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) issues a 12-digit Aadhaar card to all citizens of India, regardless of age, even newborn babies. A special type of Aadhaar card, called Baal Aadhaar, is provided for children under 5 years old, which is blue in color and does not include biometric data like fingerprints or iris scans. Instead, it links the child’s photo with one parent’s Aadhaar number. Baal Aadhaar serves as a valuable document for school admissions, accessing government benefits, and as an identification card.
Required documents for Baal Aadhaar include the child’s birth certificate or hospital discharge slip, either parent’s Aadhaar card or another valid identity card, a parent’s passport or other proof of current residence, and a document verifying the child’s correct date of birth.
To apply for Baal Aadhaar, one must visit the official UIDAI portal and schedule an appointment at the nearest Aadhaar Seva Kendra. Upon the appointment, the child and their birth certificate should be brought to the Aadhaar center. For children under 5 years old, only a digital photo is taken, and the child’s Aadhaar is linked to a parent’s Aadhaar. Enrolling for Baal Aadhaar is free of charge.
It is important to remember to update the child’s biometric information when they turn 5 years old. Between the ages of 5 and 7, the child’s 10 fingerprints, iris scan, and a photo are taken at no cost.
What is Blue Aadhaar?
Aadhaar cards issued to children under the age of 5 are called Blue Aadhaar or Baal Aadhaar. Fingerprints and iris scans are not taken for children under this age. Only a photograph of the child is taken, and their Aadhaar is linked to their parent’s Aadhaar number.
There is no fee for obtaining a Blue Aadhaar. This service is completely free. However, a mandatory biometric update is required when a child turns 5 years old. This process involves capturing fingerprints and an iris scan for the first time. A second biometric update is then mandatory when the child reaches 15 years of age.