Distinctive blue-colored biometric-exempt 12-digit Aadhaar card issued to newborn babies and children under 5 years, requiring mandatory biometric updates at ages 5 and 15
A Baal Aadhaar becomes completely inactive and unusable after the child turns 5 years old unless parents take the child to an Aadhaar centre to capture their 10 fingerprints, two irises, and updated facial photo.
đĄ Baal Aadhaar is a distinctive blue-colored 12-digit unique identity card issued by UIDAI specifically for children under 5 years of age. Unlike adult Aadhaar cards, no iris scans or fingerprint biometrics are captured for toddlers due to developmental changes. Instead, the child's identity is authenticated using facial photography and linked directly to the parent's biometric Aadhaar. Baal Aadhaar becomes invalid when the child turns 5 unless a mandatory biometric update is completed.
How child identity documents differ from adult biometric records under UIDAI regulations.
| Feature | Baal Aadhaar (Age 0 to 5) | Adult Aadhaar (Age 5 and Above) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Card Color & Appearance | Distinctive Blue-Colored Card with 'Valid till child turns 5' | Standard White / Holographic Card | Visual distinction indicates biometric-exempt status |
| Biometric Data Captured | Photograph only (No fingerprints, No iris scans) | 10 Fingerprints + 2 Iris Scans + Facial Photo | Child under 5 cannot be biometrically de-duplicated |
| Authentication Mechanism | Authenticated via Parent's Aadhaar and Parent's OTP | Direct biometric or individual OTP authentication | Parental consent mandatory for all actions |
| Validity Tenure | Temporary validity; expires on 5th birthday | Permanent lifetime validity | Becomes lifelong once Age 5 update is completed |
e-Aadhaar ready for digital download within 7 to 15 days of enrollment; physical blue laminated card dispatched by India Post Speed Post within 20 to 30 days.
Initial Enrollment: 100% Free; Mandatory Biometric Update at Age 5: 100% Free of charge.
Any child residing in India who is between 0 and 5 years of age (0 to 60 months) with at least one parent or legal guardian holding a valid 12-digit Aadhaar number.
Newborn babies, infants, toddlers, and preschool children under 5 years of age in India, required for nursery/kindergarten school admissions, opening minor bank accounts, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSA), Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY cards, and child welfare subsidies.
Many major government and private maternity hospitals now offer spot enrollment at birth through integrated Civil Registration System (CRS) desks. The baby's photo is taken, linked to the mother's Aadhaar, and an enrollment slip is handed over before hospital discharge.
If not done at birth, visit myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in â 'Book an Appointment'. Select your city, choose 'New Aadhaar', enter the parent's mobile number, and pick an appointment date and time slot.
Take the child and the original Birth Certificate to the chosen Aadhaar Seva Kendra (ASK) or designated Post Office/Bank enrollment branch.
The operator captures the child's facial photograph (white background). No fingerprints or eye scans are taken. One parent authenticates the enrollment using their own fingerprint or iris scan.
Review the child's name, date of birth, and parents' details on the operator screen. Collect the printed 28-digit Enrollment Slip containing the EID, date, and timestamp.
UIDAI mandates two free biometric updates during a child's developmental life:
When the child turns 5, the facial structure and fingerprints develop stability. Parents must take the child to an Aadhaar center to record all 10 fingerprints, both iris scans, and a fresh photograph. This update transitions the Baal Aadhaar into a regular lifelong Aadhaar.
When the child reaches 15 years of age, biometrics attain permanent adult form. A final mandatory biometric refresh of all 10 fingers, irises, and facial photo must be completed.
Both the Age 5 and Age 15 updates are 100% completely FREE of cost. UIDAI does not permit enrollment operators to charge any fee for mandatory biometric updates.
Parents can download the electronic PDF copy using the parent's registered mobile number:
Go to myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in and click on 'Download Aadhaar'.
Select 'Enrollment ID Number (EID)' and enter the 14-digit enrollment number followed by the 14-digit date and time (YYYYMMDDHHMMSS) from the acknowledgment slip.
Enter the OTP sent to the parent's mobile number linked during enrollment, complete the captcha, and click 'Verify & Download'.
Standard solutions for common child enrollment problems.
| Issue Encountered | Probable Root Cause | Recommended Corrective Action |
|---|---|---|
| Child Aadhaar shows 'Suspended / Deactivated' | Has child crossed 5 or 7 years of age without MBU? | Visit any Aadhaar Seva Kendra with the child. Complete the Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU) with original birth certificate. The card reactivates within 72 hours. |
| Hospital birth registration desk is unavailable | Municipal Birth Certificate availability | Collect the municipal birth certificate from the registrar and book an appointment at any post office, bank branch, or Aadhaar Seva Kendra. |
| Enrollment rejected: 'Parent details mismatch' | Parent's Aadhaar name vs Parent's name on Birth Certificate | Ensure the parent providing biometric consent has their name spelled identically on their own Aadhaar and the baby's birth certificate. |
| Operator demanding âš50 or âš100 for child enrollment | UIDAI Official Fee Circular | New enrollment is strictly free. Lodge an immediate complaint on the UIDAI toll-free helpline 1947 or email help@uidai.gov.in citing the center ID. |
Yes. A baby can be enrolled for a Baal Aadhaar from day one of birth. You only need the hospital discharge slip or birth certificate and the Aadhaar of either parent. In many states, maternity hospitals enroll newborns directly before discharge.
No. Under UIDAI regulations, no fingerprint or iris scans are taken for children below 5 years because a child's biometric ridges are not fully developed. Only a facial photograph is taken, and the record is tied to the parent's biometric Aadhaar.
If the Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU) is not completed, the Baal Aadhaar card becomes inoperative and suspended. The child will not be able to use it for school scholarships, opening bank accounts, or applying for an Indian passport until the update is finished.
No. Mandatory Biometric Updates at age 5 (up to age 7) and age 15 (up to age 17) are 100% completely FREE of cost. No fee can be charged by any Aadhaar operator in India.
No. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and the Supreme Court have clarified that no school can deny admission to any child for lack of an Aadhaar card. Schools must accept alternate valid documents like the municipal birth certificate.
Statutory rules governing child enrollment, biometric exemption for children under 5, and mandatory updates.
Checked on November 4, 2026
View Reference Document âPrescribes zero-fee structure and operational guidelines for biometric updates at ages 5 and 15.
Checked on November 4, 2026
View Reference Document â12-digit UIDAI biometric identity, e-Aadhaar PDF download, âš50 PVC card & address update
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Issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) under the Aadhaar Enrollment Regulations. Enrollment is 100% free of cost across all hospital desks and Aadhaar Seva Kendras.
Book Baal Aadhaar Appointment on myAadhaar â