By News Desk 
Aligarh, India – In a move that affects every Indian citizen, officials have emphasized that updating Aadhaar details once every 10 years is now mandatory. Individuals failing to comply with this directive risk having their Aadhaar cards suspended. The reminder came during a district-level Aadhaar review meeting held on Thursday at the Collectorate auditorium, chaired by Chief Development Officer (CDO) Prakhar Kumar Singh.
During the meeting, it was revealed that in the month of April alone, approximately 12,000 new Aadhaar enrollments were completed, while over 44,000 Aadhaar cards were updated. The CDO directed that Aadhaar updates must be carried out compulsorily for children in the age groups of 5–7 years and 15–17 years. He also ordered schools to organize Aadhaar update camps in the upcoming academic session to ensure comprehensive coverage.
Aadhaar Enrollment and Update Infrastructure
Vivek Mishra, Assistant Manager at UIDAI, informed attendees that currently, 17 registrars or enrollment agencies (EAs) are operational in the district, facilitating Aadhaar-related services at 221 designated locations. For children aged 0–5 years, three dedicated registrars—India Post Payments Bank (IPPB), the Health Department, and ICDS (Integrated Child Development Services)—have been assigned.
Additionally, Aadhaar updates, including name, date of birth, gender, address, mobile number, email, and document verification for individuals aged 0–18 years, can be completed through banks, Common Service Centres (CSC), BSNL offices, schools, and post offices.
Special emphasis is also being placed on updating mobile numbers and email addresses for children under five, a task currently being managed by the Health Department and ICDS. Even individuals who have seen no change in their name, address, or gender over the past decade are encouraged to update their details, as part of UIDAI’s national data accuracy initiative.
The CDO also instructed that all Aadhaar centers clearly display official rate charts to ensure that residents are charged only the prescribed fees.
Key Aadhaar Guidelines and Charges
- Aadhaar enrollment is entirely free of charge.
- Mandatory updates for children aged 5–7 years and 15–17 years are also free.
- Updates for name, address, and other demographic details carry a fee of ₹50.
- Biometric updates for those above 17 years of age cost ₹100.
Allowed Aadhaar Modifications
- Date of birth can be changed once only.
- Name can be changed twice.
- Gender can be updated once.
Fake Charges Spark Public Concern
Meanwhile, concerns have been raised over reports of unauthorized agents charging exorbitant fees for Aadhaar-related services. An audio clip circulating on social media features a conversation where one person claims that an Aadhaar card for a 50-year-old man would cost ₹12,000–₹13,000—despite the official charge being only ₹50.
Experts warn that unauthorized operators have set up networks in collaboration with local bank staff and are using official machines to extort money from unsuspecting residents. One such operation is reportedly active near the Kishanpur intersection on Ramghat Road in Aligarh.
Authorities have urged the public to report such fraud and only visit certified Aadhaar centers to avoid exploitation.