Aadhaar Biometric Updates for Kids: Free Until Sept 2026

If you have a child, it’s important to know that the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has successfully completed over 2 crore Mandatory Biometric Updates (MBUs) for school children across India. These crucial updates are currently free until September 30, 2026, for eligible children aged 5 to 17 years.

Understanding the Scope

This nationwide initiative, launched in September 2025, saw 2 crore Mandatory Biometric Updates completed for school children. It covered more than 1.56 lakh schools, with UIDAI collaborating with state and union territory education departments to simplify the process.

The free update period is extended until September 30, 2026, specifically for children aged 5 to 17 years, encouraging timely updates and improving accessibility.

Why These Updates Are Essential

These updates are vital because children under five don’t have their fingerprints and iris scans recorded during their initial Aadhaar enrollment. To ensure their information stays current, biometrics need updating twice as they grow.

The first mandatory update is required after your child turns 5, and a second update is necessary after they turn 15. This ensures their biometric information, including fingerprints, iris scans, and photographs, remains current.

Avoiding Future Hurdles

Keeping these biometrics current helps prevent authentication issues your child might face in school or higher education. Outdated information could hinder their access to various critical services.

Without updated biometrics, children might struggle to access government schemes, scholarships, and essential educational services. This also includes competitive examinations such as NEET, JEE, and CUET.

Any service requiring Aadhaar authentication, like Know Your Customer (KYC) processes, could also become a problem. Ensuring timely updates protects your child’s future access.

Your Guide to Completing the Update

Getting your child’s biometrics updated is a straightforward process, but remember, it can’t be done online. You’ll need to physically bring your child to an Aadhaar Enrolment Centre.

First, locate your nearest center using the Bhuvan Aadhaar Portal. You should carry your child’s Aadhaar number, and they must be present for the capture of new biometrics.

After the update, you’ll receive an acknowledgement slip with an Update Request Number (URN). It’s important to retain this to track the update status on the UIDAI website, with updates typically reflecting within a few weeks.

With the update process free for children aged 5 to 17 until September 30, 2026, now is the perfect time to ensure your child’s Aadhaar biometrics are current. This proactive step helps avoid any future complications with their education and access to vital services.