NEW DELHI: In a pro-people measure, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has waived off all charges for Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU-1), a move that is expected to benefit around 6 crore children.
The waiver of MBU charges for the said age group has already kicked in effective 1 October 2025 and will be in force for a period of one year.
A child under the age of five enrols for Aadhaar by providing the photograph, name, date of birth, gender, address and birth certificate. 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.
As per existing rules, therefore, fingerprints, iris and photo are mandatorily required to be updated in his/her Aadhaar when the child reaches the age of five years. This is called first Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU). Similarly, a child is required to update biometrics once again upon reaching the age of 15 years, which is referred to as the second MBU.
The first and second MBUs, if performed between 5-7 and 15-17 years of age respectively, are thus free of cost. Thereafter, a prescribed fee of Rs. 125/- per MBU is charged. With this decision, MBU is now effectively free for all children in the age group of 5-17.
Aadhaar with updated biometric facilitates ease of living and ensures seamless usage of Aadhaar in availing services such as school admissions, registering for entrance examinations, availing benefits of scholarships, DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) schemes, etc wherever applicable. Parents/ guardians are advised to update biometrics of their children/wards in Aadhaar, on priority.
Only two days ago, UIDAI hiked the fees for updating or correcting Aadhaar information on demographic, biometric and documents.
The new charges are valid till September 30, 2028 and will be reviewed again the next month that year, according to UIDAI.
Accordingly, the Demographic updates (such as name, address, date of birth, mobile number, or email) will cost Rs 75 if done separately, up from Rs 50 earlier. If combined with biometric updates, there will be no additional fee.
The Biometric updates (such as fingerprint, iris or photo) will be charged at Rs 125. From October 2028,
Document update (submission of proof of identity or address) if done through the myAadhaar portal will remain free till June 14, 2026. At enrolment centres, it will cost Rs 75, against Rs 50 earlier.
Additionally, getting an Aadhaar printout through eKYC or other tools will cost Rs 40 during the first phase, and Rs 50 in the second phase.
