New Delhi: The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has emphasized the necessity of completing the Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU) for children who have reached the age of seven but have not yet updated their biometrics in Aadhaar. According to the announcement, this is a pre-existing requirement under Aadhaar, and parents or guardians can update their child’s information at any Aadhaar Seva Kendra or designated Aadhaar center.
A child under the age of five registers for Aadhaar by providing their photograph, name, date of birth, gender, address, and supporting documents as proof. The fingerprints and iris biometrics of a child are not collected for Aadhaar registration before the age of five, as these are not fully developed at that age. As per current regulations, fingerprints, iris scans, and a photograph are required to be updated in the child’s Aadhaar when they turn five years old. This process is known as the first Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU).
If the child undergoes the MBU between the ages of five and seven, it is conducted free of charge. However, after the age of seven, a fee of Rs. 100 is applicable. Timely completion of the MBU is essential for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of children’s biometric data. If the MBU is not completed by the time the individual turns seven, their Aadhaar number may be deactivated, according to existing regulations, as mentioned in the announcement.
Aadhaar with updated biometric information enhances convenience and ensures smooth utilization of Aadhaar for accessing services such as school admissions, registering for entrance examinations, and receiving benefits from scholarships and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes, where applicable. Parents and guardians are urged to prioritize the updating of their children’s biometrics in Aadhaar. UIDAI has begun sending SMS notifications to the mobile numbers registered in the Aadhaar of these children to facilitate the completion of the MBU process.
