In a move to simplify the Aadhaar enrolment process for minors, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has introduced a new online facility for children’s Aadhaar registration. Parents can now book appointments and begin the enrolment process for children under five years old through the official portal myAadhaar.uidai.gov.in, marking a significant step towards making public services more accessible and digitally enabled.
The initiative is expected to ease the burden on Aadhaar Seva Kendras and offer parents a convenient, paperless process to register their children for Aadhaar, which is increasingly becoming essential for availing government services and school admissions.
💡 Baal Aadhaar: A Unique ID for Children
Aadhaar for children—popularly known as Baal Aadhaar—is a 12-digit identity number issued to children aged 0 to 5 years. Unlike adult Aadhaar, Baal Aadhaar does not capture biometrics such as fingerprints or iris scans. Instead, it links the child’s data to the Aadhaar of a parent or guardian and uses a photograph for identification.
The UIDAI has made it mandatory to update biometric data once the child turns 5, and again at 15 years, to keep the Aadhaar information accurate.
🖥️ How to Register Your Child Online
According to the UIDAI, the new system allows parents to:
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Visit the myAadhaar portal
Go to https://myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in/ -
Choose “Book an Appointment”
Select your nearest Aadhaar Seva Kendra -
Select ‘New Aadhaar for Child (0-5 Years)’
Fill in your child’s basic details and the parent’s Aadhaar information -
Schedule a Convenient Date & Time
Confirm the appointment and note down the reference number -
Visit the Kendra on the Chosen Date
Carry the child’s birth certificate and parent’s Aadhaar for verification
📈 Growing Importance of Child Aadhaar
While Aadhaar is not mandatory for children, it is becoming increasingly important for:
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School and college admissions
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Government scholarship and welfare schemes
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Mid-day meal registration
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Vaccination and health insurance services
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Future financial documents like bank accounts or mobile SIMs
Officials from UIDAI clarified that no child will be denied any benefit for not having Aadhaar, but early registration helps in building a secure digital identity for future use.
📲 Digital Governance at the Forefront
The online booking feature is part of UIDAI’s broader vision to strengthen citizen-friendly e-governance tools. The portal also supports services like:
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Aadhaar status tracking
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E-Aadhaar download
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Mobile number linking
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Document updates
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Aadhaar reprint requests
The service is already live in major cities and expected to expand to rural Aadhaar centres soon.
🛑 Important Notes for Parents
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Children must be physically present at the Aadhaar centre
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The Aadhaar number is delivered via post or can be downloaded as e-Aadhaar
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The service is free of cost, including future biometric updates at ages 5 and 15
✅ Conclusion
The introduction of online Aadhaar enrolment for children marks another leap in India’s digital transformation journey. It not only empowers parents with convenience but also helps in ensuring every child has access to welfare and identification services from an early age.
