The Unique Identification Authority of India has called on all parents and guardians to complete the Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU) for children who have reached the age of seven and have not yet updated their Aadhaar biometrics. This update—capturing fingerprints, iris scans and a new photograph—is essential under current Aadhaar rules and is required for continued access to essential services such as school admissions, entrance examinations, scholarships and direct benefit transfer schemes.
The UIDAI has begun sending SMS notifications to registered mobile numbers, reminding recipients of their responsibility to complete the update. Children under the age of five are issued Aadhaar based on facial photograph and demographic data alone, as biometrics are not fully developed. When the child turns five, the first MBU becomes mandatory and is offered free of cost until the age of seven. After seven years, the update incurs a nominal fee of Rs 100.
UIDAI has emphasised that failure to complete the biometric update beyond the age of seven may result in the deactivation of the Aadhaar number, potentially affecting eligibility for essential public services and financial benefits. The Authority has requested parents and guardians to prioritise this requirement and visit any Aadhaar Seva Kendra or designated centre for the biometric update.
Aadhaar is India’s foundational digital ID system, and UIDAI reaffirmed its role in empowering every step of a child’s journey—from enrolment to opportunity. Biometric authentication ensures seamless service access and is vital for maintaining the accuracy and reliability of the national identity infrastructure.
