Aadhaar card – a document most of us have in our wallets. It is one of the most important documents for Indian residents, though not mandatory. The Aadhar card serves as the base record for various other documents. Hence, having an Aadhaar and updating it with your latest information is essential.
Updating information on Aadhaar cards was tedious until January 16, 2024, when UIDAI issued the Aadhaar Amendment Regulations 2024. The purpose of the amendment is to make the Aadhaar enrolment and update process more simple and accessible to all. Here’s everything you need to know about the new updates!
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What is an Aadhaar card?
The Aadhaar card is a biometric-based document indicating a 12-digit unique Aadhaar number, along with the card holder’s name, date of birth and address.
Despite several arguments about the Aadhaar’s authenticity, it acts as a valid proof of address and proof of identity, but not an acceptable proof of citizenship. However, the government recommends all Indian residents hold an Aadhaar and link them to other documents like mobile numbers, bank accounts, PAN cards, PF accounts, etc., for seamless services.
UIDAI
UIDAI stands for Unique Identification Authority of India. It is a statutory body established under the Indian Government in 2009. The purpose of UIDAI is to facilitate Indian residents to have a unique identification through Aadhaar, which helps in authenticating their identity and address details anywhere, anytime.
UIDAI is currently headed by the Chairperson, Mr Neelkanth Mishra, and the CEO, Mr Amit Agarwal. Mr Nandan Nilekani, the co-founder of Infosys, was the first chairman of UIDAI.
New rules for the Aadhaar update
Before understanding the new rules of Aadhaar, let’s go through the rules that prevailed so far.
According to the Aadhaar rules released in 2016, residents were allowed to update their addresses online through the UIDAI website. However, other information, like mobile numbers, photographs, etc., had to be updated offline through the nearest Aadhaar Seva Kendra. The forms related to enrolment under UIDAI were different, too.
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Aadhaar Amendment Regulation, 2024
The latest news of Aadhaar enrolment and update issued on January 16 this year aim to ease the process and make Aadhaar services more accessible to citizens across the country.
As per the new update, existing cardholders can update their information both online and offline. The restriction to update addresses only on the website and mobile numbers through offline mediums alone is removed.
The data about Aadhar, such as biometrics, date of birth, name, address, mobile number, etc., are stored in the Central Identities Data Repository (CIDR). Any update to this can now be done on the UIDAI website or the mobile application or offline Aadhaar Seva Kendras.
While that is the update for existing holders, there is also a change in the enrolment of new members to UIDAI’s platform. Below are the new forms for enrolment:
Form 1
Form 1 deals with members who are 18 years and above. It is used for registering new users on Aadhaar and updating the information of existing users. Both residents and non-resident Indians can make use of Form 1, provided they have an Indian address proof.
Form 2
Form 2 serves the same purpose as Form 1. It is also specific to members who are 18 years of age and above. However, this form is for non-resident members without an address proof in India. The form helps enrol new members and update information about existing NRI members.
Form 3
Form 3 provides the same facility as Form 1 but for children between the ages of 5 and 18. The form helps in enrolment and updation for Indian residents and NRIs, having an Indian address proof.
Form 4
Form 4 is a replication of Form 2. It provides enrolment and updation services to Non-Resident Indian children between 5 years to 18 years who have an address proof outside of India.
Forms 5 and 6
Forms 5 and 6 are for children below the age of 5. While Form 5 helps in enrolling and updating information for residents and NRI children with Indian addresses, Form 6 helps do the same for NRI children without Indian addresses.
Forms 7 and 8
Forms 7 and 8 are for foreign nationals who wish to have an Aadhar number. Such members are required to submit foreign passports, overseas citizenship cards, visas (including Indian), a valid email ID, etc. While Form 7 is for members above 18 years of age, Form 8 is for those below 18 years.
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Bottomline
Having an Aadhar number may not be mandatory, but it is no doubt beneficial, as it acts as authentic proof for various other documents. Fresh applicants can choose either the document-based method or the head of the family method to apply for an Aadhaar card.
Updating the Aadhaar with the latest information is as essential as holding the card. The government of India also recommends updating the Aadhar card with the latest information once every ten years, apart from doing it as and when there is a change in the data.
The new rules are expected to make the enrolment and updation process easy, simplified and more accessible to all.
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