Parents are often confused about when and how to update their children’s Aadhaar cards. To address this concern, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has made a revolutionary and reassuring decision. Mandatory biometric updates for children aged 5 to 17 have been made completely free for a full year.

Under this special exemption, which begins October 1, 2025, and ends September 30, 2026, you will no longer have to pay the ₹125 fee. If your child’s Baal Aadhaar has not yet been updated, this article is extremely important for you, as failing to update on time could hinder important tasks like school admission and scholarships.

Mandatory biometric update necessary for children

The Aadhaar card is not just a document; it is the most important proof of a child’s identity. According to the rules, fingerprints and iris scans are not taken for children under the age of 5. Therefore, it is legally mandatory to perform the first mandatory biometric update when a child turns 5.

Similarly, when a child turns 15, their biometrics completely change with their physical development, so a second mandatory update is required at this age. If both these updates are not completed on time, the Aadhaar card may expire, leaving it as a mere plastic card.

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UIDAI’s Historic Decision

The government has taken a major and bold step to connect every child to government schemes in this digital age. Previously, a fee of ₹125 was required for biometric updates at Aadhaar centers, but now this service has been made completely free for the next one year, i.e., until September 2026.

The Ministry of Electronics and IT believes that this exemption will provide significant relief to families who were unable to update their children’s Aadhaar due to financial constraints or lack of information. Under this free service, the child’s new photo, fingerprints, and eye scanning will be completed at no additional cost.

Scholarships and School Admission

It has often been observed that children face difficulties in enrolling in school or receiving government scholarships due to their Aadhaar cards not being updated. Most government schemes today operate through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), which requires an active and updated Aadhaar card.

If the biometrics are outdated, the machine will be unable to identify the child, and funds may be blocked from being credited to the bank account. This decision by UIDAI will now enable millions of children to access government services related to education and health without any interruption, and parents will also be relieved of the paperwork.

How to Get a Free Update at an Aadhaar Seva Kendra

To avail this free service, you must visit your nearest Aadhaar Enrollment Center or Aadhaar Seva Kendra. To begin the process, you must bring the child’s original Aadhaar card and the Aadhaar card of one of the parents as proof of identity. Upon arrival at the center, the operator will take the child’s new biometrics, which include ten fingerprints and an iris scan.

After the entire process is complete, you will be given an acknowledgment receipt through which you can check the status online. It typically takes two to five working days for the biometric data to be updated, after which you can download the new Aadhaar card.

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