The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has made a significant announcement, waiving all fees for the essential biometric updates required for children between the ages of seven and fifteen. This beneficial initiative is set to impact an estimated six crore minors across the country.
This important waiver officially began on October 1, 2025, and will remain in effect for a full year.
A Press Information Bureau (PIB) release clarified the process: when a child first enrolls for Aadhaar before turning five, only basic identification details are collected, such as their photograph, name, date of birth, gender, address, and birth certificate. Biometric data like fingerprints and iris scans are not captured at this initial stage.
It is a mandatory requirement for children to update their fingerprints, iris, and photograph once they reach the age of five. This is known as the first Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU). Similarly, a second MBU is required when a child turns fifteen years old.
Historically, the first and second MBUs were provided free of cost if completed within specific age windows (5-7 years and 15-17 years, respectively). Beyond these periods, a standard fee of ₹125 was charged per MBU. However, with this new decision, all mandatory biometric updates are now entirely free for all children falling within the broader 5-17 age group, simplifying the process and removing financial barriers for families.