In a major digital outreach initiative, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has announced its plan to roll out biometric Aadhaar updates for children through schools across the country in a phased manner. This ambitious plan, scheduled to begin within the next two months, aims to bridge a critical gap in Aadhaar enrolment for millions of Indian children.

According to UIDAI’s Chief Executive Officer, Bhuvnesh Kumar, the authority is currently testing specialised biometric technology that will allow it to carry out child-specific biometric enrolments and updates directly through educational institutions. The move is expected to significantly simplify the process and enhance coverage among children.

Why This Matters

Over 7 crore children in India have not yet completed their mandatory biometric update (MBU), which is required after a child attains the age of five. While initial Aadhaar registration can be done using demographic information and parent’s biometrics, a biometric re-enrolment is compulsory once the child turns five, to ensure authentication and prevent misuse or duplication.

As per UIDAI guidelines, this mandatory biometric update involves capturing a child’s fingerprints, iris scan, and facial photograph to be linked with their Aadhaar number. Without this update, the child’s Aadhaar becomes inactive for authentication purposes even though the number remains valid.

School-Based Approach: What It Means

To address this massive gap, UIDAI plans to coordinate with school administrations and education departments to implement this update at the ground level. Dedicated teams and kits will be deployed to schools, enabling on-site biometric data collection of eligible students.

According to the UIDAI CEO, this method has multiple advantages:

• Convenient access: Children do not need to visit Aadhaar enrolment centres.

• Higher compliance: Schools can monitor and track students turning five and above.

• Cost-effective and scalable: Using the existing education infrastructure to drive enrolment.

This initiative is being rolled out in phases, allowing UIDAI to monitor feedback, streamline logistics, and fine-tune the technology involved.

How the Technology Works

UIDAI is currently piloting child-friendly biometric devices that are:

• Portable and non-intrusive

• Designed to accurately capture fingerprints and iris scans of young children

• Equipped with AI-driven calibration tools to account for growth, movement, and lower contrast features typical in young children’s biometric traits

These devices are being tested under controlled environments to ensure accuracy, privacy, and data security. Once validated, they will be rolled out with appropriate training to school-level operators and Aadhaar-certified personnel.

The Legal Mandate

According to Aadhaar regulations, children are eligible for Aadhaar enrolment right from birth, using parent or guardian’s Aadhaar as a reference. However, since infants and toddlers undergo rapid physical changes, the biometric information captured at the time of birth is insufficient for long-term authentication.

Hence, mandatory biometric updates are required at age 5 and again at 15. The failure to comply with these periodic updates leads to a situation where the child’s Aadhaar cannot be used for government schemes, school admissions, or digital authentication until updated.

This becomes critical especially for schemes like:

• Mid-Day Meal benefits

• Scholarship disbursements

• Pre-matric education grants

• Vaccination and health records linked with Aadhaar

Challenges in the Current System

Despite clear guidelines, the current biometric update coverage among children is inadequate, mainly due to:

• Low awareness among parents and schools

• Limited number of Aadhaar update centres

• Inconvenient timings and procedural hurdles

• Technical difficulties in capturing young children’s biometrics

In rural and remote areas, the challenge is even greater due to lack of infrastructure and logistical bottlenecks.

Government's Push for Digitisation

This initiative aligns with the Digital India programme, which aims to ensure universal digital identity coverage across age groups. The school-based biometric update plan is seen as a model solution that could later be adapted for other population segments such as the elderly or persons with disabilities.

UIDAI is also considering integration of this project with DigiLocker, school ERP systems, and state education portals to enable seamless record management, alerts for updates, and efficient data mapping.

State-Wise Rollout Plan

The phased rollout will begin in selected districts of Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, covering both government and private schools. Following the success and feedback of the initial phase, it will be gradually expanded to other states over a 6–9 month timeline.

In urban areas, the project will be supported by State Resident Data Hubs (SRDH) and local municipal corporations, while in rural zones, coordination will happen through District Education Officers (DEOs) and gram panchayats.

Parental Consent and Data Privacy

UIDAI has clarified that explicit parental consent will be obtained before any biometric data is collected in schools. Special consent forms, guidelines, and information leaflets will be distributed to parents well in advance.

Additionally, UIDAI has emphasised that all data collected will be encrypted, securely stored, and used only for Aadhaar authentication purposes in compliance with data privacy laws and UIDAI protocols.

What Parents Should Know

• Check your child’s Aadhaar status via the UIDAI portal

• If your child is 5 or above, ensure biometric update is completed

• Look out for school notifications regarding the biometric update drive

• Sign and return consent forms when shared

• Ensure your mobile number is linked to your child’s Aadhaar for future alerts

Conclusion

The decision by UIDAI to introduce biometric Aadhaar updates through schools is a significant step forward in Aadhaar inclusivity and digital empowerment of children. By addressing logistical barriers and integrating with the education system, UIDAI aims to bring millions of children under the umbrella of valid Aadhaar authentication.

As India moves towards a more robust digital governance framework, ensuring that every child has an updated and functional Aadhaar is essential for seamless access to welfare, education, and identity-linked services. If implemented efficiently, this school-based model could become a template for future large-scale enrolments in the country.

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