In a major pro-people decision, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has waived all charges for the first Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU-1), a move expected to benefit nearly six crore children across the country.
The waiver came into effect on October 1, 2025, and will remain valid for one year, the authority said in an official statement. The initiative is aimed at encouraging parents and guardians to update their children’s Aadhaar details on time, ensuring uninterrupted access to a range of government and educational services.
Under existing Aadhaar rules, children below the age of five are enrolled using only a photograph and basic demographic information such as name, date of birth, gender, address and birth certificate. Since fingerprints and iris scans are not captured at that age, a mandatory biometric update is required once the child turns five, known as the first MBU.
A second biometric update is required at the age of 15, when a child’s biometrics are fully matured. Both the first and second MBUs, if done within the respective age windows of 5–7 years and 15–17 years, are free of cost. After that period, a fee of ₹125 is normally applicable.
With the latest waiver, UIDAI has made the biometric update process free for all children aged 5–17, regardless of when they undertake it within the one-year period.
An Aadhaar card with updated biometric data helps ensure seamless access to services such as school admissions, registration for entrance examinations, scholarships, and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes. UIDAI has urged parents and guardians to complete their children’s biometric updates at the earliest to avoid inconvenience in future Aadhaar-linked services.
Officials said the move aligns with UIDAI’s broader efforts to make Aadhaar services more citizen-friendly and inclusive, particularly for children and young adults.
