Why Should Parents Update Their Children’s Aadhaar Biometrics Between Ages 5-7, Free of Cost?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Update Aadhaar biometrics for children aged 5-7 to ensure accuracy.
- MBU is free of charge if completed between ages 5 and 7.
- A nominal fee of Rs. 100 applies after age 7.
- Failure to complete MBU may result in deactivation of the Aadhaar number.
- Updated Aadhaar biometrics ease access to essential services.
New Delhi, July 15 (NationPress) The government has issued a call for parents and guardians to ensure the update of their children's Aadhaar biometrics once they reach the age of seven. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has emphasized the necessity of completing the Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU) for those children who have reached this age but have not updated their biometric data in Aadhaar.
UIDAI has initiated the process of sending SMS notifications to mobile numbers linked with the Aadhaar of these children, urging the completion of the MBU exercise.
This update is a requirement mandated by Aadhaar regulations, and parents or guardians can conveniently update their child's details at any Aadhaar Seva Kendra or authorized Aadhaar center, as stated by the IT Ministry.
Children under five years old are enrolled in Aadhaar by submitting their photograph, name, date of birth, gender, address, and supporting documents.
As highlighted in the official statement, fingerprints and iris biometrics are not collected for Aadhaar enrollment for children under five since these features are not fully developed at that age.
According to existing guidelines, fingerprints, iris scans, and photographs must be updated in Aadhaar when the child turns five. This process is referred to as the first Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU). If parents complete the MBU between the ages of five and seven, there is no cost involved.
However, after the age of seven, a nominal fee of Rs. 100 will apply, as informed by the IT Ministry.
UIDAI has reiterated that timely completion of the MBU is crucial for preserving the accuracy and reliability of children's biometric data. Failure to complete the MBU after reaching seven years may result in deactivation of the Aadhaar number, according to existing policies.
Having an Aadhaar with updated biometrics facilitates a smoother living experience and ensures seamless access to various services, including school admissions, entrance exam registrations, and benefits from scholarship and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes.
Parents and guardians are strongly encouraged to prioritize the update of their children’s Aadhaar biometrics.