UIDAI - Unique Identification Authority of India: Services, Contact & Updates

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) will soon launch a nationwide drive to update Aadhaar biometrics for more than seven crore children through schools. The drive is expected to begin in the next two months and will first target children at schools, later extending to those turning 15. Aadhaar cards issued to children under five years do not include biometrics. Once a child turns five, a Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU) is required, and it must be completed by age seven to avoid Aadhaar deactivation. This update is free for children between the ages of five and seven, but after that, a fee of Rs.100 will be charged. Parents can visit Aadhaar Seva Kendras or designated centers to complete the update. UIDAI has started sending SMS reminders to registered mobile numbers to encourage timely completion.

Indian Railways has made changes in the Tatkal ticket booking system which will come into effect from 1 July 2025. According to the rules, passengers need to link their Aadhaar with their IRCTC account to book the Tatkal tickets. From 15 July 2025, it will be mandatory to enter an OTP that will be sent to the Aadhaar-linked mobile number to complete the booking. These changes are being made to stop misuse and to give normal passengers a fair chance to book tickets. Moreover, agents will not be allowed to book Tatkal tickets during the first 30 minutes after the booking starts. For AC classes, agents cannot book from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., and for non-AC, from 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Therefore, passengers are advised to link their Aadhaar with IRCTC and update their mobile numbers before July to avoid any problems in the future.

In the coming weeks, Aadhaar holders will be able to electronically reveal their identities rather than supplying photocopies. A new mobile app from the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) would allow users to transmit a complete version of the document through QR code, according to a TOI article. UIDAI will launch a system that enables users to change their name, birthdate, address, and phone number from the convenience of their own homes. By November, the only in-person requirement is to provide fingerprints and iris scans at an enrollment center. The action aims to speed up the process for citizens, to reduce the possibility of fake documents. Documents that UIDAI directly collects its data include passports, driver's licenses, birth certificates, PANs, PDSs, and MNREGA. The QR-code method is prepared for use in property deals, hotel check-ins, and identity verification on trains.

The UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India) is planning to revamp the Aadhar to bring in radical changes to improve user convenience. It is set to introduce QR-code-based application that removes the need to submit physical copies of Aadhaar for any purpose. Through this revamp, people can share their Aadhaar cards digitally, either in complete or masked forms. From November onwards, it will be made possible to update personal details on the Aadhaar card through automation by integrating official databases such as PAN cards, matriculation records, and birth certificates. However, updating biometric data must be done by visiting the Aadhaar centres. The new changes are primarily aimed at making the Aadhaar updation easily accessible for the users.

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has announced an extension of their deadline for users to upload up-to-date documents for their Aadhaar verification to 14 June 2026. Users can submit Proof of Identity (PoI) and Proof of Address (PoA) online for free through the myAadhaar portal. This service will be useful for those who had their Aadhaar card created more than 10 years ago, and those that have changed the name or address from what is on their Aadhaar document. Changing phone numbers, email address, and biometric updates will still need to be done in person at an Aadhaar center and will have the normal charge.

As of 1 July 2025, only those who have successfully authenticated with Aadhaar will be able to purchase Tatkal tickets through the official IRCTC website and mobile app. To book Tatkal tickets online, customers must correctly link their Aadhaar number and IRCTC user profile. All Tatkal tickets purchased through authorized railway agents and at computerized Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters would need an additional layer of verification via OTP (One-Time Password) authentication as of 15 July 2025. The new regulation prevents authorized agents from booking Tatkal tickets within the first 30 minutes of the booking window on the day that reservations open. Agents are unable to reserve tickets for AC classes between 10:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., and for non-AC sessions between 11:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

The deadline to update your Aadhaar information, including proof of address and confirmation of identity, for free is almost here. An essential form of identity for Indian citizens is the Aadhaar card, which is issued by the Unique identity Authority of India (UIDAI) and has a 12-digit unique number connected to demographic and biometric information. To receive a free Aadhaar upgrade, you must provide documentation proving your identity and address before 14 June 2025, according to the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). Only the myAadhaar portal offers this free service.

According to the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), users must link their Aadhaar numbers with their login IDs to book train tickets under the tatkal quota. Among more than 130 million active users on the IRCTC platform, just 12 million have accounts that have been confirmed by Aadhaar. Approximately 225,000 Tatkal tickets are booked through the online portal each day, and 66.4% of the tickets are sold in the first ten minutes after the buying process begins. The first hour following the window opening sees about 84.02% of Tatkal ticket sales, with the remaining 12% being purchased 8 to 10 hours later.

Updates to Aadhar card details can be made for free until 14 June 2025. It is possible to make changes to proof of identity (PoI) and proof of address (PoA) online, free of cost until 14 June. Any updates after 14 June will have to be made through Aadhaar Enrolment centres, for a fee of Rs.50. To update online, visit the official UIDAI website.

A new attendance rule announced by the National Medical Commission for medical colleges, under which all teachers must use Aadhaar-based facial recognition to mark their attendance. This rule will come into effect from 1 May 2025 by discontinuing the biometric attendance system. Teachers will need to download the Aadhaar Face Authentication app on their smartphones. This app will scan their face and match it with their Aadhaar number to confirm their attendance. All medical colleges have been told to help the teachers install and use the app before the rule starts. This step will make sure that only real and full-time teachers are teaching in medical colleges, which will help in bringing transparency and accountability.

A new Aadhaar app which makes the verification as simple as making UPI payment, will be launched soon by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). A key feature of the app is Aadhaar Face Authentication, which is being widely adopted among various sectors. With identity verification by scanning a QR code and facial scans, users can securely share their Aadhaar details to hotels, airports, and other places, without the need for hard copies. The app is currently available to closed groups and expected to be available to a wider audience after the testing phase.

India has introduced a new feature on its Aadhaar Good Governance Portal that enables citizens to provide direct feedback on public services using their Aadhaar credentials. This upgrade allows users to file grievances, track the status of their complaints, and monitor government performance through an intuitive dashboard. The initiative aims to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency in public service delivery by ensuring citizen input is promptly addressed.

The Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has extended the deadline for activating the Universal Account Number (UAN) and seeding Aadhaar with bank accounts to 15 February 2025. This extension, applicable to employees eligible for the Employee Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme. This initiative ensures that benefits under the scheme are disbursed through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to bank accounts linked with Aadhaar. The original deadline was 15 January 2025, but it was later revised in a circular issued on 6 February 2025. UAN activation and Aadhaar seeding are mandatory to avail subsidies under the first-time employment scheme, introduced in the 2024 Budget.

UIDAI has announced that the free Aadhaar update service will remain available until June 14, 2025. This extension allows Aadhaar holders to update their details on the myAadhaar portal at no charge. To update their information, users need to log in using their Aadhaar number and upload the required documents. The update deadline has been extended multiple times to benefit millions of users. For children, biometric updates are mandatory after they turn five and again at 15. If updating biometrics, individuals must visit an Aadhaar Enrolment Centre