Why Aadhaar Biometric Updates at 5 and 15 Are Crucial for Every Child – UIDAI Explains. Ensure timely updates to keep Aadhaar active and avoid service disruptions.
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has issued an important directive for parents, schools, and state administrations: Aadhaar biometric updates are mandatory for children at the ages of 5 and 15 years. This move comes as UIDAI noticed a large number of pending updates—nearly 17 crore children across the country still need to complete this process.
The initiative is not just a technical requirement but a critical step to ensure the accuracy, usability, and validity of Aadhaar cards for children. Let’s understand why these updates are so crucial, what UIDAI has advised, and how schools and parents can act quickly to avoid complications in the future.
Content Index
Why Biometric Updates Are Necessary
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Biometrics change as children grow
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A child’s fingerprints, iris scans, and facial features undergo natural changes with age.
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Aadhaar registered at a younger age (before 5 years) is created without biometric data. Once the child turns 5, biometrics must be captured. Again at 15, another update ensures the Aadhaar remains accurate.
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Avoid Aadhaar deactivation
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If biometrics are not updated, UIDAI may deactivate the Aadhaar number.
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This can cause difficulties in school admissions, appearing for competitive exams (NEET, JEE, CUET, etc.), or availing government schemes and scholarships.
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Smooth access to services
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Many welfare programs, subsidies, and digital services require Aadhaar authentication. Without updated biometrics, children risk being excluded from these benefits.
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The Scale of the Task
UIDAI has revealed that nearly 17 crore Aadhaar numbers belonging to children are still awaiting biometric updates. This large backlog has prompted a nationwide push, with UIDAI CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar writing directly to the Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories to accelerate the process.
Role of Schools & States
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School-led update camps: UIDAI CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar has written to Chief Secretaries across states and Union Territories, urging them to facilitate MBU camps in schools—leveraging schools as hubs for enrollment.
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Visibility via UDISE+: To help schools know which students require updates, UIDAI has integrated pending MBU data into the Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+)—an education management system capturing comprehensive school data. This enables schools to identify and target students who haven’t completed their updates.
Cost & Age Window Details
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Biometrics at age 5: Update is free if done between ages 5 and 7.
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Post 7 years: A nominal charge of ₹100 applies for biometric updates beyond age 7.
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Second update at 15: Also provided free of cost if completed between age 15 and 17. After 17, a fee applies.
Past Initiatives & Outreach
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State-level drives: For example, in Uttar Pradesh, UIDAI launched a campaign targeting 4.6 crore minors, setting up nearly 2,937 biometric centers, including Aadhaar Seva Kendras and postal-run counters.
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Reminders via SMS: UIDAI is sending SMS alerts to parents of children who haven’t completed their MBUs—prompting timely action.
What Parents & Schools Should Do
| Stakeholder | Recommended Actions |
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| Parents | Check if your child needs an MBU at age 5 or 15. Visit Aadhaar Seva Kendras or school camps for updates—especially within the free window (ages 5–7 or 15–17). Avoid last-minute rush. |
| Schools | Use the UDISE+ system to pinpoint students with pending MBUs. Hold biometric camps in coordination with UIDAI. Inform and assist parents proactively. |
| State/UT Admins | Support schools in organizing camps. Monitor progress through UDISE+ data. Promote MBU awareness to prevent disruptions in Aadhaar access. |
Final Thoughts
This joint initiative between UIDAI and the Ministry of Education, facilitated via UDISE+, marks a pivotal step toward ensuring uninterrupted Aadhaar authentication for school-going children. By proactively updating biometrics, parents and schools not only help the child access vital services—like scholarships and exam registrations—but also contribute to the robustness of India’s national identity infrastructure.
Let’s keep children’s identities current and their futures uninterrupted!
