The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has urged parents of children between the age of 5 and 7 to update their kids’ Aadhaar biometrics. UIDAI, in the periodic reminder, said that the biometric update would be free of cost at enrolment centres, if done before children turned seven. After this period, the authority said it may cancel Aadhaar numbers issued to those who have not done the biometric update. A ₹100 fee applies if such an application is made after a child turns seven.
As per the release by Ministry of Electronics & IT, this is an existing requirement under Aadhaar, and parents or guardians can update their child's details at any Aadhaar Seva Kendra or designated Aadhaar centre.
A child under the age of five enrols for Aadhaar by providing their photograph, name, date of birth, gender, address, and documents as proof. The fingerprints and iris biometrics of a child are not captured for Aadhaar enrolment below the age of five because these are not mature at that age.
According to existing rules, fingerprints, iris scans, and a photo are mandatorily required to be updated in the child's Aadhaar when they reach the age of five years. This is referred to as the first Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU). If the child performs the MBU between the ages of five and seven, it is provided at no cost. However, after the age of seven, a prescribed fee of Rs. 100 only.