The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has notified the Aadhaar (Enrolment and Update) First Amendment Regulations, 2026, expanding the list of documents accepted for enrolment and updates while introducing clearer rules for children, foreign nationals and vulnerable groups. According to reports from Business Standard, the move aims to simplify Aadhaar access, reduce hurdles, and bring greater standardisation to the enrolment and update process. The revised regulations also expand the list of valid documents accepted as proof of identity, address, date of birth and relationship, expected to help people who previously struggled to meet documentation requirements.
Among the newly accepted documents are e-Voter ID, e-Ration card, pension payment orders, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, CGHS, ECHS and ESIC cards, utility bills, educational certificates and mark sheets, bank statements and passbooks, insurance policies, registered rent agreements, NREGA job cards, prisoner identity documents, shelter home certificates, and standard certificate formats issued by authorised officials. As reported by Business Standard, the submitted document must belong to the applicant and be verifiable by the issuing authority. UIDAI has clarified that documents declared invalid for identity or address proof purposes by the issuing agency will not be accepted.
The amended regulations place greater emphasis on consistency across documents submitted during enrolment or updates. According to Business Standard, proof of identity documents must contain both the applicant's name and photograph, while proof of relationship documents must include the names of both the applicant and the head of the family. UIDAI has clarified that the name appearing in Aadhaar records will be reproduced exactly as mentioned in the submitted document, with additional titles or wording not added separately. The authority stated that the name and date of birth across submitted documents must match to avoid rejection or delays in processing.
UIDAI has introduced clearer enrolment rules for different age groups. As reported by Business Standard, for children below the age of five, head-of-family-based enrolment is central to the process with a birth certificate serving as the primary document, while documentation of parents or legal guardians will be mandatory. For children aged 5 to 18 years, UIDAI has encouraged head-of-family-based enrolment with document-based enrolment also permitted where family-linked documentation is unavailable. The revised approach is expected to reduce enrolment barriers for children from economically weaker or unstable family backgrounds.
The amendment defines Aadhaar validity periods for overseas citizens and foreign nationals residing in India. According to Business Standard, OCI cardholders receive 10-year validity, long-term visa holders until visa validity, Nepal and Bhutan nationals also receive 10-year validity, and other foreign nationals until visa or FRRO permit validity. The rules apply to individuals who have stayed in India for 182 days or more in the previous 12 months. In another significant change, UIDAI has formally recognised transgender identity cards and certificates issued under the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, which can now be used for updating Aadhaar details including name, gender, date of birth, address and relationship information.
