The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has extended the free online Aadhaar update service, giving Aadhaar holders more time to update their documents without any charges. According to reports from The Times of India, the facility, which was earlier scheduled to end in June 2026, will now remain available until June 14, 2027. The decision was taken after receiving a positive response from Aadhaar holders using the online update facility. This extension provides relief to over 138 crore Aadhaar holders who can now update their documents without paying the usual ₹50 fee.
The free service is available only through the official myAadhaar portal and allows users to upload proof of identity and proof of address documents online. As reported by The Times of India, users can complete the update process in five simple steps: visiting the myAadhaar website, verifying using OTP, selecting the document update option, uploading valid documents in PDF, PNG or JPEG format (file size below 2 MB), and submitting the request while saving the 14-digit Update Request Number (URN) for tracking purposes. The portal-only facility ensures no charges for eligible updates during the extension period.
Certain Aadhaar-related services still require users to visit an Aadhaar enrolment centre physically. According to UIDAI, these include biometric updates such as fingerprints, iris scans and photographs, mobile number updates, gender correction, and date of birth changes. As per UIDAI's FAQ page, biometric updates must be updated physically at an enrolment centre, and name, gender, mobile number and date of birth changes beyond the allowed online limits also require in-person verification. The authority states that some changes still mean standing in line, with users needing to book appointments and go in person for certain updates.
While document updates on the myAadhaar portal are currently free, some Aadhaar services continue to attract charges. As reported by The Times of India, biometric updates generally cost ₹125, while demographic updates such as name, address or mobile number changes cost ₹75 if not linked with biometric updates. Certain biometric updates for children remain free under UIDAI rules. Valid documents for online updates include PAN card, passport, voter ID, recent utility bills, rent agreements, and ration cards in PDF, PNG or JPEG format. For offline updates at Aadhaar centres, users must pay ₹75 for document processing.
UIDAI has announced that the existing mAadhaar app will soon be discontinued, encouraging users to shift to the new Aadhaar app. According to Fortune India, the upgraded app offers QR-based Aadhaar sharing, face authentication, and offline verification capabilities. The new app enables selective data sharing and stronger authentication methods, effectively replacing the widely used identity wallet with a system that behaves quite differently in everyday use. The authority has already begun the phase-out process, urging users to migrate their data before the old app goes dark, with the new app designed to provide a simpler and more secure digital identity experience.
