Saurabh Vijay takes charge as UIDAI CEO; Aadhaar update free till June 2027
Synopsis
The UIDAI has a new CEO — IIT-Delhi-trained IAS veteran Saurabh Vijay — and a fresh policy move: free Aadhaar document updates extended to June 2027, alongside the retirement of the mAadhaar app. The back-to-back announcements point to a deliberate reset at India's identity authority.
Key Takeaways
Saurabh Vijay , a 1998-batch Maharashtra-cadre IAS officer and IIT-Delhi civil engineer, assumed charge as UIDAI CEO on 18 May 2025 .
Vijay previously served as Principal Secretary, Expenditure in Maharashtra and as Advisor at the World Bank in Washington, D.C.
Free Aadhaar document update on the myAadhaar portal extended from 15 June 2026 to 14 June 2027 .
The mAadhaar app is set to be retired; users are urged to switch to the new Aadhaar app with QR-based sharing and enhanced privacy controls.
The extension follows strong uptake from Aadhaar cardholders using the free online update facility.
Saurabh Vijay, a 1998-batch Indian Administrative Service officer of the Maharashtra cadre, formally assumed charge as Chief Executive Officer of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) on Monday, 18 May 2025, according to an official statement. A civil engineer from IIT-Delhi, Vijay brings decades of experience across state and central government roles to India's apex Aadhaar-issuing body.
Vijay's Career and Background
Prior to joining the UIDAI, Vijay served as Principal Secretary, Expenditure, in Maharashtra's Finance Department. His state-level career also included postings as Principal Secretary, Planning and Development Commissioner, Principal Secretary, Tourism, Secretary, Medical Education, and Secretary, Higher and Technical Education.
On central deputation, he served as Director at the President's Secretariat in New Delhi, and as Advisor to the Executive Director for Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Sri Lanka at the World Bank in Washington, D.C. — a profile that spans domestic administration and multilateral finance.
Free Aadhaar Document Update Extended to June 2027
Alongside the leadership change, the UIDAI announced a significant extension of its free online Aadhaar document update service. According to an official office memorandum, the facility — previously available at no cost only through the myAadhaar portal — has been extended for one additional year, from 15 June 2026 to 14 June 2027.
The UIDAI cited a 'positive response from Aadhaar cardholders' as the basis for the extension. The service, which once carried a fee, allows holders to update supporting documents linked to their Unique Identification (UID) card entirely online at no charge, exclusively via the myAadhaar portal.
mAadhaar App to Be Retired; New Aadhaar App Launched
In a separate update posted on X, the UIDAI notified users that the mAadhaar app will be retired shortly. In its place, the authority has introduced a new Aadhaar app offering features including secure QR-based Aadhaar sharing, enhanced privacy controls, and streamlined access to Aadhaar services. The UIDAI has urged all users to migrate to the new application.
What This Means for Aadhaar Holders
The twin announcements — a new CEO and an extended free update window — signal an active phase for the UIDAI as it modernises its digital identity infrastructure. With over 1.4 billion Aadhaar enrollments on record, the transition to a new app and the continued push for document accuracy reflect the authority's effort to keep its database current and secure. Aadhaar cardholders are advised to complete document updates through the myAadhaar portal before 14 June 2027 to avoid potential fees thereafter.
Point of View
Not a steady-state operation. The UIDAI's credibility rests on data accuracy; extending the free update window is a pragmatic nudge to cardholders to self-correct records before any fee regime returns. Whether the new Aadhaar app delivers on its privacy promises will be the first real test of this leadership's accountability.
NationPress
6 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the new CEO of UIDAI?
Saurabh Vijay, a 1998-batch IAS officer of the Maharashtra cadre and a civil engineer from IIT-Delhi, is the new Chief Executive Officer of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). He assumed charge on 18 May 2025.
Is the free Aadhaar document update still available?
Yes. The UIDAI has extended the free online Aadhaar document update facility on the myAadhaar portal until 14 June 2027. The service is available at no cost exclusively through the myAadhaar portal.
What happens to the mAadhaar app?
The UIDAI has announced that the mAadhaar app will be retired soon. Users are advised to download the new Aadhaar app, which offers QR-based Aadhaar sharing, improved privacy controls, and easier access to Aadhaar services.
Why has the free Aadhaar update been extended?
According to the UIDAI office memorandum, the extension was granted due to a positive response from Aadhaar cardholders who have been actively updating their information online. The free facility now runs from 15 June 2026 to 14 June 2027.
What were Saurabh Vijay's previous roles before joining UIDAI?
Before joining UIDAI, Vijay was Principal Secretary, Expenditure, in Maharashtra's Finance Department. He has also served as Director at the President's Secretariat in New Delhi and as Advisor to the Executive Director for Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Sri Lanka at the World Bank in Washington, D.C.
