The Aadhaar card has become an essential document for identity verification and access to various government services in India. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has now emphasized the importance of Aadhaar for children, including infants and school-going kids. This initiative ensures that children are not left out from the benefits of various welfare schemes and services that require Aadhaar authentication.
Parents are being encouraged to enrol their children for Aadhaar as early as possible. For children below five years of age, the Aadhaar card is issued based on demographic information such as name, date of birth, and the Aadhaar number of one of the parents. No biometric data such as fingerprints or iris scan is collected at this stage. A facial photograph is captured for record purposes.
It is important to note that this Aadhaar issued to children under five is valid, but biometric details must be updated once the child turns five years old. UIDAI has made it mandatory for parents to take their child for biometric updates after the age of five and again after the age of fifteen. These updates are free of cost and are essential to ensure that the child’s Aadhaar remains valid and usable.
The Aadhaar for children is also known as Baal Aadhaar and is issued with a blue-coloured card to distinguish it from regular Aadhaar cards. The Baal Aadhaar helps in availing various government facilities like school enrolments, mid-day meal schemes, and access to scholarships and health programs.
To apply for an Aadhaar card for a child, parents must visit the nearest Aadhaar enrolment center with the child’s birth certificate and the Aadhaar card of one parent. In case of newborns, Aadhaar enrolment is also being facilitated through hospital tie-ups at the time of birth.
UIDAI has also launched awareness campaigns to inform parents about the necessity of updating biometric details when their children grow older. Failure to update can lead to deactivation or restrictions in Aadhaar-based services.
Additionally, the Aadhaar card for children serves as a valid identity proof for various other services such as passport applications, opening bank accounts for minors, and applying for government subsidies.
Parents are advised to keep track of the age milestones of their children and ensure that biometric updates are done at the appropriate times to avoid service disruption. UIDAI continues to enhance the enrolment process to make it more accessible and parent-friendly.
This move by UIDAI is expected to bring more children into the national identity system, supporting the government’s vision of a digitally inclusive India. Aadhaar is not just a number but a gateway to rights, services, and opportunities, and every child deserves to be part of that future.
