The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has announced the waiver of charges for updating email addresses through the Aadhaar mobile application. According to the official notification issued by UIDAI, the service was previously charged at ₹75, but will be made free of cost for a period of six months starting July 1, 2026. The waiver is designed to encourage more Aadhaar number holders to update their details in Aadhaar and improve communication between the authority and Aadhaar holders while ensuring users receive important information through their registered email addresses.
The fee waiver will be effective from July 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026, covering a six-month period. As reported by UIDAI's official notification, this represents a significant cost reduction for Aadhaar holders who need to update their email address details. The waiver applies specifically to email address updates conducted through the Aadhaar mobile application, with UIDAI clarifying that citizens choosing other methods or platforms for updating their Aadhaar details may still need to pay the applicable charges. Therefore, users who want to take advantage of this free facility must complete the process through the official Aadhaar app.
The UIDAI has recently announced that the mAadhaar mobile application will be phased out soon. According to the official notification, the Aadhaar issuing body has urged users to shift to the newly launched Aadhaar app, which offers faster access and many upgraded features. The recently launched Aadhaar App is designed to provide Aadhaar Number Holders with a secure, convenient and privacy-first way to carry, share, show and verify their digital identity. The app supports a wide range of real-life use cases, including hotel check-ins through Offline Verification Seeking Entity's (OVSE) QR code scanning, age verification for cinema ticket bookings, hospital admissions for visitors and attendants, verification of gig workers and service partners. It also includes advanced functionalities such as face verification for proof of presence, biometric lock/unlock in a single click, viewing of authentication history, and a QR-based contact card for easy sharing of contact details.
The new Aadhaar app includes selective credential sharing capabilities, allowing residents to share only the specific identity fields required for particular use cases through customised QR codes generated by requesting entities. This ensures that Aadhaar numbers are not stored by verifiers and only digitally signed verifiable credentials are shared, promoting data minimisation in line with the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act. The app allows management of up to five Aadhaar profiles on a single device, enabling the concept of "One Family – One App." In addition to address updates, residents can now update their registered mobile number through the app, with more update services planned in the future.
