Last Updated:
Move to ease Aadhaar access for school admissions, scholarships, and DBT schemes; waiver effective from October 1, 2025, for one year.
UIDAI said the first and second Mandatory Biometric Updates are free if completed within the respective age windows of 5-7 years and 15-17 years.
In a move aimed at easing Aadhaar access for school-going children, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has announced a one-year waiver of all charges for Mandatory Biometric Updates (MBU-1) for children aged between 7 and 15 years. The decision, which came into effect on October 1, 2025, is expected to benefit nearly 6 crore children across the country.
The waiver means parents or guardians will not have to pay the usual Rs 125 fee for biometric updates — including fingerprints, iris, and photographs — required when a child turns seven or 15 years old.
“In a pro-people measure, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has waived off all charges for Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU-1), a move that is expected to benefit around 6 crore children. The waiver of MBU charges for the said age group has already kicked in effective 1 October 2025 and will be in force for a period of one year,” the Ministry of Electronics & IT said in a statement on Saturday, October 4.
Making Aadhaar More Accessible for Students
Children below five years receive Aadhaar cards without biometrics. Once they turn five, they are required to undergo their first Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU), and again at fifteen for the second MBU, as fingerprints and iris patterns mature by then.
UIDAI said the first and second MBUs are free if completed within the respective age windows of 5-7 years and 15-17 years. However, the latest decision extends the waiver universally, ensuring that all children between 5 and 17 years can update their Aadhaar without paying any charge during the one-year period.
Boost for Education, Scholarships, and DBT
The authority said the move will simplify access to services such as school admissions, entrance exam registrations, scholarships, and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes. Aadhaar with updated biometrics helps children avail these services seamlessly.
UIDAI has advised parents and guardians to update their children’s Aadhaar details on priority, ensuring uninterrupted use of Aadhaar-linked benefits and services.
The waiver of fees will remain in effect till September 30, 2026.
Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to personal finance, markets, economy and companies. Having over a decade of experience in financial journalism, Haris h…Read More
Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to personal finance, markets, economy and companies. Having over a decade of experience in financial journalism, Haris h… Read More
October 05, 2025, 13:17 IST
Read More
