The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has waived all charges for mandatory biometric updates (MBUs) for ‘Baal’ or blue Aadhaar cards, which are issued to children aged 5 to 17 years. The move, effective from October 1, 2025, will remain in force for one year. After this period ends in October 2026, each MBU will cost ₹125.
According to UIDAI, the first and second MBUs — carried out at ages 5–7 and 15–17 respectively — are now free for the year-long window. The update process involves capturing a child’s fingerprints, iris scans, and photograph, which are not collected during initial Aadhaar enrolment for children under five.
When a child turns five, all biometric data must be recorded under MBU 1, which is treated like a fresh enrolment but retains the same Aadhaar number. At age fifteen, another biometric update — MBU 2 — is required.
The government said this temporary fee waiver is expected to benefit nearly 6 crore children across the country