The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has announced a sweeping overhaul of the Aadhaar enrolment and update process, introducing stricter verification rules from the financial year 2025-26. This move is designed to make India’s ubiquitous identity card more secure and reliable, addressing concerns over fraud, fake enrolments, and misuse by ineligible applicants.
From 2025-26, new Aadhaar enrolments and updates to existing cards will require more rigorous documentation and verification. The new rules are particularly focused on adult applicants, as Aadhaar coverage among adults is now near saturation and the government aims to prevent illegal immigrants and ineligible individuals from obtaining the card.
Applicants must now provide valid proof of identity and address for both new Aadhaar cards and updates. Accepted documents include:
Indian Passport
PAN Card
Voter ID Card
Ration Card
Driving License
Pension Card
Government-issued certificates (for age or address)
UIDAI will cross-verify these documents with centralized databases, including PAN, driving licenses, MNREGS, and electricity bills, to ensure authenticity and prevent duplication. The authority is also leveraging online records—such as passports, ration cards, and birth certificates—to further strengthen the verification process.
A strict “one Aadhaar per individual” policy will be enforced, making it impossible for anyone to hold multiple Aadhaar numbers.
For any biometric changes—including fingerprints, iris scans, or photographs—individuals must visit an Aadhaar Enrolment Centre in person. These updates cannot be completed online, ensuring a higher level of security and oversight.
While biometric updates require a physical visit, UIDAI is also making it easier for users to update certain information online. From November 2025, changes to name, address, date of birth, gender, mobile number, and email ID can be made via the official UIDAI website, provided the applicant’s mobile number is linked to their Aadhaar. This digital-first approach is expected to save time and reduce paperwork for millions of users.
UIDAI is also preparing to launch a new mobile app with QR code-based electronic Aadhaar, allowing users to share a digital or masked Aadhaar instead of a photocopy, further reducing the risk of fraud.
The tightening of Aadhaar rules is a direct response to concerns about illegal immigrants and ineligible individuals using forged documents to obtain Aadhaar numbers, which could then be used for other IDs or to access government benefits. The government’s new verification tools and double-checks are intended to ensure that only eligible residents receive Aadhaar, thereby protecting the integrity of India’s identification system.
