UIDAI enrolls over 79 lakh children under Bal Aadhaar initiative in last four months

The Unique Identification Authority has enrolled more than 79 lakh children in the 0 – 5 age group during the first four months (April – July) of the current financial year.

This is a part of a fresh attempt to spread awareness of the Bal Aadhaar programme and assist parents and children in obtaining numerous benefits among more children in the 0–5 age range. By the end of March 2022, 2.64 crore children in the 0-5 age range had Bal Aadhaar; by the end of July 2022, this figure had risen to 3.43 crore.

Bal Aadhaar registration is moving forward extremely quickly across the nation. In areas like Himachal Pradesh and Haryana, enrollment of kids in the 0-5 age range has already covered more than 70% of the targeted age group.

In many other states and UTs, including as Jammu & Kashmir, Mizoram, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, and Lakshadweep, registration of children (0–5 years old) has also performed remarkably well.

The current Aadhaar saturation rate is almost 94%. Adult Aadhaar saturation is very close to 100%. Both the ease of living and the convenience of doing business are now facilitated by Aadhaar.

Residents have been urged repeatedly to register their children under the Bal Aadhaar project by UIDAI and its regional offices. As well as serving as a digital photo identity for kids from birth, Bal Aadhaar facilitates access to a number of government benefits.

Bal Aadhaar ID cards are given to kids between the ages of 0 and 5. A significant component of issuing Aadhaar is the collection of biometric data (fingerprints and iris scans), which is necessary to ensure uniqueness based on de-duplication of these biometrics. However, these biometrics are not gathered when children between the ages of 0 and 5 enroll in Aadhaar.

Children between the ages of 0 and 5 are enrolled in Aadhaar based on their facial image and the biometric authentication of their parent or legal guardian (having a valid Aadhaar). When enrolling for Bal Aadhaar, a proof of relationship document (ideally a birth certificate) is required.

Bal Aadhaars are provided in blue with the note that they are only valid till the child becomes five years old to distinguish them from regular Aadhaars. The necessary biometric update process must be completed by the child by the time they turn 5 years old, and it must be done at an Aadhaar Seva Kendra (MBU).

A de-duplication procedure is used during the MBU process. The child is given a standard Aadhaar after this procedure is finished; the Aadhaar number is unaltered.