Over 2 crore Aadhaar biometric updates for school children completed: Here's how to do it for free till 30 September

The Unique Identification Authority of India ( UIDAI ) has completed more than 2 crore Mandatory Biometric Updates (MBUs) for school children as part of a nationwide drive, according to a press release by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

The drive, launched in September 2025, has covered more than 1.56 lakh schools. UIDAI has worked with State and Union Territory education departments to organise biometric update camps at schools, making it easier for children to complete the process.

Here’s what parents need to know about Aadhaar biometric updates for children.

Children below five years are enrolled in Aadhaar using demographic details and a photograph. Their fingerprints and iris scans are not recorded at that stage.

As children grow, these biometric details need to be added and refreshed. An MBU is required:

Yes. MBU is free for children aged 5 to 17 years until 30 September 2026.

“To encourage timely completion and make the service more accessible, UIDAI had waived the charges for MBU for children in the 7–15 years age group from 1 October 2025 for a period of one year. MBU for children in the 5–7 years and 15–17 years age groups continue to be free of charge,” as per the release.

Therefore, parents currently do not have to pay for an MBU if the child is between 5 and 17 years old, subject to the applicable UIDAI rules.

Keeping children's biometric information updated can help reduce authentication-related problems as they move through school and higher education.

UIDAI has also highlighted that outdated biometrics could create difficulties when Aadhaar authentication is needed for:

Parents need to take the child to an Aadhaar Enrolment Centre for the mandatory biometric update, as the process cannot be completed online. Parents should complete the first MBU after the child turns 5 and the second after turning 15.

Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only. Please visit the official website for the latest updates.

Sheetal Goel is a Content Producer at Livemint, where she covers corporate developments, personal finance, business trends, markets, and SEBI-related updates. She focuses on simplifying complex financial concepts and presenting them in a clear, reader-friendly manner, thereby helping audiences better understand investment trends, personal finance, and market developments. Her writing focuses on making finance more accessible to everyday readers while maintaining clarity, accuracy, and relevance. <br><br> She holds a degree in Economics (Hons.) along with an MBA in Finance, which has helped her develop a strong foundation in financial analysis, market understanding, and business reporting. Before joining journalism, she worked with finance and broking firms, where she closely followed market developments, investment strategies, and evolving industry trends. This practical exposure strengthened her understanding of financial markets. She has also written content across multiple formats and platforms, including YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram.