UIDAI waives Aadhaar Mandatory Biometric Update charges for children aged 7–15
On 4 October 2025, UIDAI said it had waived charges for children's Mandatory Biometric Update in Aadhaar for one year from 1 October 2025, benefiting about 6 crore children.
Summary
On 4 October 2025, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) said it had waived all charges for children's Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU) in Aadhaar. The waiver took effect on 1 October 2025 for one year and is expected to benefit about 6 crore children. Children under five enrol without fingerprints or iris scans because these are not mature at that age. The first MBU is due at age five and the second at age 15. These were already free if done at ages 5–7 and 15–17, with ₹125 charged per MBU after that. With the waiver, MBU is effectively free for all children aged 5–17. Updated biometrics help children use Aadhaar for school admissions, entrance exams, scholarships and Direct Benefit Transfer schemes.
Key facts
- Waiver
- From 1 Oct 2025 for one year; ~6 crore children
- MBU timing
- 1st at age 5; 2nd at age 15
- Earlier fee
- Free at 5–7 and 15–17; else ₹125 per MBU
- Now
- MBU effectively free for ages 5–17
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Before UIDAI's October 2025 waiver, what fee was charged per Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU) for a child outside the free age windows?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — ₹125
PIB (MeitY/UIDAI): the first and second MBUs were free if done at ages 5–7 and 15–17; thereafter a prescribed fee of ₹125 per MBU was charged. The waiver makes MBU effectively free for all children aged 5–17.
Consider the following statements about Aadhaar for children: 1. Fingerprints and iris biometrics are not captured for Aadhaar enrolment of children below five years of age. 2. UIDAI's waiver of MBU charges, effective 1 October 2025, will remain in force for two years. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. PIB: fingerprints and iris are not captured below age five because they are not mature. The MBU charge waiver took effect on 1 October 2025 and is in force for one year, not two.