Aadhaar update fees hike: UIDAI increases charges from Rs 50 to this much, know what's changed

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Big news has arrived for the country's more than one billion Aadhaar card holders. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has announced several significant changes to the Aadhaar system in 2025, which will directly impact both citizens' pockets and convenience.

Increased fees - Now Aadhaar update will be expensive

UIDAI has increased the fee for Aadhaar card update from 1 October 2025. Now for making changes in details like name, address, date of birth or mobile number, one will have to pay ₹75 (earlier it was ₹50). At the same time, the fee for biometric update i.e. changing fingerprint, iris or photo has been increased to ₹125 (earlier it was ₹100). These new rates will remain applicable till 31 December 2028. UIDAI says that this step has been taken to meet the increasing technical expenses and to ensure better service quality.

Relief for children - Biometric update free for those aged 7 to 15

UIDAI has provided a major relief to children. Now, fingerprint and iris scan updates will be completely free for children aged 7 to 15. Previously, a fee was required for this as well. According to UIDAI officials, children's biometrics change over time, so this update is mandatory. Instructions have been issued to schools across the country to assist in this process so that no child's Aadhaar is deactivated.

New Document List and Stricter Rules Implemented

UIDAI has released a new list of documents required for Aadhaar updates and new enrollments in July 2025. The same rules will now apply to Indian citizens, NRIs, OCI cardholders, and Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs). The authority has also clarified that an individual can have only one Aadhaar number. Action will be taken if duplicate Aadhaars are found.

The free update period ends

UIDAI had provided free online updates until June 14, 2025, but this has now expired.

Any updates will now require a fixed fee. Experts predict that UIDAI may reinstate the free update feature for a limited period in the future, so keep an eye on the myAadhaar website.

Digital update system to be implemented from November 1st

UIDAI is launching a new, fully digital update system from November 1st, 2025. Under this system, citizens will be able to change their name, address, date of birth, gender, and mobile number online from the comfort of their homes. There will no longer be a need to visit an Aadhaar service center for minor corrections. The new system will automatically verify the Aadhaar from the government database—meaning there will be no need for document uploads or manual verification.

Rural areas will benefit the most

This digital reform by UIDAI will prove to be a boon, especially for people in rural areas and small towns.

Previously, updates required standing in long queues, but now this process can be completed through OTP verification on the myAadhaar portal or the UIDAI mobile app. However, a visit to an Aadhaar Seva Kendra will still be mandatory for biometric updates (fingerprint, iris, photo).