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The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has brought significant relief to millions of families by announcing a complete waiver of fees for the mandatory Aadhaar biometric update for children between the ages of 7 and 15. This crucial initiative, which aims to keep children's identification data accurate and current, will be effective for a full year, from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026.

This move is designed to ensure that children's Aadhaar records—which include their photo, fingerprints, and iris scans—are appropriately updated to reflect physical changes that occur as they grow. Timely updates are critical for these young individuals to seamlessly access essential government welfare schemes, educational services, scholarships, and various other benefits that rely on Aadhaar-linked authentication.

Previously, updating biometric data typically incurred a fee, but under this new scheme, parents can visit any nearby Aadhaar Enrolment Centre and get the process completed absolutely free of charge. This financial relief is expected to significantly benefit an estimated over 60 million children across the country, lifting an economic burden from their families.

The CEO of UIDAI, Bhuvanesh Kumar, highlighted the importance of this fee waiver. He stated that the initiative is not just a technical change but an integration of technology and behavioural science aimed at making the Aadhaar service more user-friendly and accessible for all families. The core goal is to ensure that no child is excluded from digital and social services due to an outdated identity document.

The procedure for the biometric update has been kept straightforward and hassle-free. Parents only need the child's existing Aadhaar number to initiate the update.

Here’s what parents need to know:

• Eligibility: Children who have already been enrolled for Aadhaar and are currently aged between 7 and 15 years.

• The Process: The child must accompany the parent or guardian to the Aadhaar Enrolment Centre. The process involves capturing fresh fingerprints, iris scans, and an updated photograph.

• Documentation: Only the child's existing Aadhaar number is required for the biometric update.

• Tracking: Upon completion, parents will receive an Update Request Number (URN), which allows them to track the progress of the update request online.

The UIDAI has partnered with the Behavioural Insights Limited (BIT) to make the scheme easier and more user-centric. This collaboration focuses on raising awareness among parents and simplifying the process to encourage maximum participation, ensuring that more children update their data promptly.

Aadhaar is more than just a proof of identity; it is a fundamental gateway to many essential services. Biometric data is dynamic, especially in children and teenagers, whose physical characteristics undergo rapid changes.

• Age-Based Changes: Fingerprints and facial features change significantly between early childhood and adolescence. Updating this data ensures that authentication is successful and accurate.

• Service Access: Authentication is mandatory for numerous services, including school admissions, receiving government subsidies, applying for scholarships, and accessing health services. Delayed updates can lead to authentication failures, causing significant obstacles and interruptions to a child's access to these benefits.

• Future Planning: Ensuring the Aadhaar record is current at this age group prepares the child for the next critical update, which is mandated at the age of 18, officially transitioning their record to an adult one.

By making the 7-to-15 age biometric update free for a whole year, the government is making a proactive push to formalise identity for millions of young citizens. This initiative promotes the vision of a digitally empowered society where every child's identity is current, verified, and ready to facilitate their participation in the country's social and welfare ecosystem. It is a critical step towards ensuring that the benefits of the digital identity platform reach every eligible child without financial strain on their families.