Government Urges Aadhaar Update for Children at Age 7 – Avoid Deactivation
The Government of India has issued a crucial advisory to parents and guardians across the country: If your child has turned 7 years old, it's mandatory to update their Aadhaar card, or it may get deactivated.
This announcement comes directly from the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), urging timely biometric updates to ensure continued validity of the Aadhaar card — especially for children who initially received a Blue Aadhaar.
🔍 What Is the Blue Aadhaar Card?
Despite being called "Blue Aadhaar", the card is not physically blue. It is a special category Aadhaar issued to children under the age of 5. Unlike the regular Aadhaar, it does not include biometric data such as fingerprints or iris scans. It’s primarily issued using demographic details and the Aadhaar of the child’s parents or guardians.
Once the child turns 5 years old, it becomes mandatory to update their Aadhaar with biometric data. And now, UIDAI has extended this protocol to include a final biometric update at age 7, to reflect physical growth and biometric changes accurately.
🗣 What Has UIDAI Stated?
UIDAI has emphasized that parents must complete the biometric update for their child once they turn 7. Failing to do so can result in the deactivation of the child’s Aadhaar card, which may cause issues in accessing government services and identity verification.
This update is free of cost, but must be done promptly at authorized Aadhaar enrolment centres.
🧾 Why Is This Update Important?
A child’s biometrics change rapidly as they grow. To maintain the accuracy and security of the Aadhaar database, UIDAI mandates an initial update at 5 years and a final update at 7 years. Without these updates:
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The Aadhaar card may become invalid.
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The child may face rejection while availing government benefits or services like school admissions, health schemes, and scholarship programs.
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It can also create KYC-related problems later in life.
🧒 How to Apply for a Blue Aadhaar Card
If your child is under 5 and hasn’t yet been issued a Blue Aadhaar card, you can apply for one easily through India Post Payments Bank (IPPB). Here’s how:
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Go to Google and search for India Post Payments Bank.
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Click the first link and select “Service Request” from the top menu (click on the three dots).
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Choose IPPB Customers.
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Fill out the form and select “Child Aadhaar Enrollment”.
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Enter the required details and select the nearest post office.
Follow the on-screen steps and submit the request. You will be contacted for further instructions or to visit the enrolment centre with your child.
📌 Key Takeaways for Parents
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Blue Aadhaar is valid only until age 5.
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Biometric update at age 5 and 7 is mandatory.
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If your child is already 7 years or older and the Aadhaar is not updated, do it immediately to avoid deactivation.
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The update is completely free.
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Visit your nearest Aadhaar Seva Kendra or authorized enrolment center.
🚫 What Happens If You Ignore This?
Failure to update could:
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Lead to deactivation of the Aadhaar.
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Create identity proof issues.
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Block access to government schemes and services.
In short, this is not a step to delay.
✅ Final Word
The Aadhaar card has become an essential identity document in India. With biometric verification playing a key role in identification, keeping Aadhaar data up to date is a must, especially for children. Parents are advised to act quickly and responsibly to ensure their child’s Aadhaar remains valid and usable.
Stay informed. Stay updated. And protect your child’s identity.
