UIDAI launched the mission-mode MBU drive in September 2025 following a successful technological integration with the Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) platform. The integration enabled authorities to track the biometric update status of schoolchildren efficiently.
By linking Aadhaar MBU data with UDISE+, officials could identify students whose biometric updates were due and organise dedicated enrolment camps directly at schools. This targeted approach significantly accelerated the pace of updates.
The drive is being executed with the support of UIDAI’s regional and state offices, which are working closely with education departments of States and Union Territories to streamline operations.
Free Biometric Update for One Year
To encourage participation, UIDAI has made the Mandatory Biometric Update free of cost for children aged 7 to 15 years for a period of one year starting October 1, 2025. The six-month mission drive is currently underway in a focused manner across the country.
Officials have deployed at least 4,000 biometric machines nationwide to facilitate the exercise. UIDAI is also in the process of increasing this number further to speed up the coverage.
The free update provision is expected to benefit millions of families, particularly in rural and economically weaker regions where access to enrolment centres may otherwise be limited.
Why Biometric Update Matters
Updating biometric details is essential as children’s fingerprints and facial features change with age. Accurate Aadhaar data ensures seamless authentication for availing benefits under government welfare schemes, scholarships, and educational services.
An updated Aadhaar also helps students during registration for competitive and university entrance examinations such as NEET, JEE, and CUET. Authentication failures due to outdated biometrics can create hurdles, making timely updates crucial.
UIDAI has been urging parents and guardians to proactively complete the MBU for their children to avoid inconvenience in the future.
Multiple Options for Parents
While school-based camps remain the core focus of the campaign, children can also complete their Mandatory Biometric Update at any Aadhaar enrolment centre or Aadhaar Seva Kendra across India.
The combination of school outreach and centre-based services ensures wider accessibility and convenience. Officials believe this hybrid approach will help achieve near-universal compliance in the target age group.
The initiative highlights UIDAI’s emphasis on citizen-centric service delivery and digital inclusion. By leveraging data integration and institutional partnerships, the authority has ensured that the process is both efficient and child-friendly.
With over one lakh schools already covered, the ongoing Aadhaar biometric update drive marks a significant step toward maintaining accurate digital identity records for India’s young population.