The Aadhaar card has become an essential identity proof not just for adults, but for children too. But here’s the catch — if you ignore certain update rules, your child’s Aadhaar could get blocked, leading to major problems in the future.
When issued for children under 5 years, Aadhaar is called ‘Baal Aadhaar’, printed in blue. Since fingerprints and iris scans aren’t developed at that age, the card relies only on a photo, name, and address.
But according to the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), biometric updates are mandatory once the child turns 5. Parents must complete this update before the child turns 7. If not, the Aadhaar becomes invalid. Reports suggest nearly 17 crore Aadhaar updates for children are still pending in India.
A second mandatory biometric update is required when the child turns 15. Without these updates, Aadhaar may be considered invalid — which could affect school admissions, scholarships, board exams, and access to government schemes.
Biometric updates for children aged 5–7 years are free. If missed, parents will need to pay a fee (currently ₹100). Updates can be done at any nearby Aadhaar Seva Kendra or authorized enrollment center.
Documents Required: Parents need to carry the child’s birth certificate or school ID, and their Aadhaar card. Once verified, the child’s fingerprints, iris scans, and photo are updated.
How to Check Update Status: Visit the UIDAI official website. Click on ‘Check Aadhaar Status’. Enter the Aadhaar number and captcha (or Enrollment ID). This helps parents confirm if their child’s Aadhaar is active and valid.
