Aadhaar (India)
A 12-digit lifelong unique identity number issued free by UIDAI; nationwide proof of identity and address. Regulated PII.
Do it on the official site
UIDAI — uidai.gov.in · myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in · mAadhaar app
- Fees
Enrolment FREE; demographic update ₹75; demographic+biometric together FREE; biometric ₹125; MBU 5–7 & 15–17 FREE; MBU 7–15 free until 30 Sep 2026; online doc update free until 14 Jun 2026 [all confirmed]
- Processing time
New Aadhaar up to 90 days (max 180); updates typically ~30 days
- How long it lasts
Lifetime (no expiry); child MBU windows at 5 & 15
What to know first
- Children need a Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU) at age 5 and again at 15.
- MBU is FREE for ages 5–7 & 15–17; the ₹125 fee for 7–15 is WAIVED until 30 Sep 2026.
- Free online document update on myAadhaar until 14 Jun 2026 (₹75 at a centre) — UIDAI keeps extending; re-check.
- Name/DOB/gender changes have lifetime limits.
How to do it
- 1Enrol (new): visit an Aadhaar Seva Kendra, submit POI+POA, give biometrics (photo, 10 fingerprints, iris), collect EID slip.
- 2Demographic update: myAadhaar with Aadhaar+OTP (address online; mobile/biometrics at a centre).
- 3Child MBU: visit a centre with the child + a parent's Aadhaar.
- 4Download eAadhaar: myAadhaar → OTP (PDF password = first 4 letters of name CAPS + birth year).
What you need to bring
- One valid POI + one valid POA (passport, voter ID, DL, ration card, PAN, bank passbook, utility bill)
- DOB proof; for children: parent's Aadhaar + birth certificate
In person
Nearest Aadhaar Seva Kendra / enrolment & update centre
Questions people ask
- Is enrolling free?
- Yes, first-time is free.
- My child is 6 — biometric update free?
- Yes.
- Update address without a centre?
- Yes, online via myAadhaar (free until 14 Jun 2026).
- Does Aadhaar expire?
- No.
Documents that travel with it
Sources
- uidai.gov.in enrolment/update-charges + MBU FAQ + supporting-documents PDF (accessed 2026-06-26)