New Delhi, Jul 21 – The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is set to roll out a nationwide school-based Aadhaar biometric update drive for children aged 5 and above, starting in a phased manner within the next two months, a senior official confirmed.
UIDAI CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar said the agency is testing the required technology, which should be ready in 45 to 60 days. Over 7 crore children have yet to update their Aadhaar biometrics, which is mandatory after age 5, according to UIDAI guidelines.
“We are working on a project to begin biometric updates with parental consent through schools,” Kumar told news agencies.
Under UIDAI rules, if the Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU) is not completed by age 7, the child’s Aadhaar number may be deactivated. The update is free if done between ages 5 and 7, after which a fee of ₹100 applies.
An updated Aadhaar is essential for school admissions, entrance exams, scholarships, and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes, Kumar emphasized.
Currently, Aadhaar issued to children under 5 does not include biometric data. The UIDAI now plans to leverage schools as update centers, providing a more convenient and scalable way to reach millions of children.
As part of the initiative, UIDAI will deploy biometric kits to each district, which will be rotated across schools to carry out the updates efficiently.
Kumar also revealed that a similar strategy is being planned for the second biometric update, which is mandatory at age 15.
“Aadhaar is key to ensuring timely delivery of benefits under various government schemes. Through schools, we aim to ensure that no child is left behind,” he added. (Agencies)
