The Unique Identification Authority of India’s recent directive to schools to ensure biometric updates for children aged 5 to 15 years is both timely and essential. Aadhaar has become the backbone of identity verification in India, underpinning welfare schemes, education admissions, and competitive examinations. However, the integrity of this system depends heavily on the accuracy and currency of biometric data. At present, an alarming 17 crore Aadhaar numbers are pending for mandatory biometric updates. This is not a trivial lapse. Inaccurate or outdated biometric data can lead to authentication failures, denying individuals access to crucial government benefits and services. For students, such lapses could result in difficulties in registering for examinations like NEET, JEE, or CUET, which increasingly mandate Aadhaar verification. The consequence is not just administrative inconvenience but the risk of exclusion from opportunities.
Aadhaar enrolment has seen remarkable success, covering almost every citizen, including toddlers, through extensive camp-based initiatives. Yet, this rapid rollout has had its share of vulnerabilities, including duplicate and fake Aadhaar cards. Regular biometric updates, particularly at critical growth stages like ages 5 and 15, serve as a vital safeguard against these risks. They ensure the system remains robust, accurate, and capable of delivering benefits only to genuine beneficiaries.
The UIDAI’s collaboration with the Department of School Education and Literacy to integrate MBU tracking into the UDISE+ platform is a pragmatic step. It provides schools with visibility on pending updates, enabling a targeted and systematic approach. Organising camps within schools is a practical solution, reducing logistical hurdles for parents and ensuring maximum coverage within a short time frame. With the government likely to impose constraints on un-updated Aadhaar numbers in the future, parents and guardians should view this as an urgent responsibility. This initiative is not just an administrative exercise but a foundational effort to preserve the credibility of Aadhaar as a national identity instrument. Public cooperation is crucial.
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