Baal Aadhaar Card 2026: Apply for Child/Newborn Aadhaar, Documents & Enrolment Process | Jaagruk Bharat

The Baal Aadhaar Card, also referred to as the Blue Aadhaar, is a distinct 12-digit identification number assigned by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) for children under the age of 5 years. It acts as an identity document and is important for various things, like school admissions, availing medical services, applying for government-provided benefits, etc. Children’s parents can apply for a Baal Aadhaar either through the online platform of UIDAI or by following an offline procedure. i.e., by visiting Aadhaar Enrollment Centres.

Read the article to learn more about the Baal Aadhaar Card 2026, ranging from its meaning and benefits to its eligibility criteria, application process, and more.

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What Is Baal Aadhaar Card (Blue Aadhaar)? — Key Features & Purpose

A Child’s Aadhaar card, sometimes referred to as “Baal Aadhaar” or “Blue Aadhaar”, is an identification card that comprises a 12-digit unique number given by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). It is not only considered the legal identification document for children up to 5 years, but also is an important document that is used for various purposes in the lives of children, such as in school admissions and health care, as well as in accessing most governmental services.

Baal Aadhaar cards are also called Blue Aadhaar cards because they are usually blue in colour. This colour distinction has been made so that children’s Aadhaar cards can be easily differentiated from the regular adults’ Aadhaar cards. One of the most highlighted features of this card for children is that, at the time of registration, their biometrics are not collected, as they are still growing. However, after they attain the age of 5 years, their parents are mandated to update the biometrics of their children if they wish to keep the Aadhaar functional and operational.

Blue Aadhaar vs Regular Aadhaar: Key Differences

Key differences between a Blue Aadhaar card and a regular Aadhaar card are mentioned below in tabular format:

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Baal Aadhaar Card Eligibility 2026 — Who Can Apply?

To apply for a Baal Aadhaar card, one needs to fulfil some conditions of eligibility for the same. The eligibility criteria are as follows:

• As the Aadhaar card is specifically designed for children, the children should be below the age of 5 years.

• Children and their parents should be the citizens of India. However, please note that children whose parents are Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) can also obtain a Baal Aadhaar card with proper documentation.

• Enrollment for a Baal Aadhaar card cannot be done without the parents or the legal guardians details.

• The child should have a valid and proper birth certificate.

How To Check Baal Aadhaar Enrolment Status Online?

Parents can also track their child Aadhaar enrolment status without having to visit the Aadhaar Seva Kendra. The process of doing the same is as follows:

Step 1: Visit the official website of UIDAI and navigate to the ‘Check Aadhaar Status' option that you will find under the ‘myAadhaar Services’ option.

Step 2: The system will ask you to do your MyAadhaar portal child login or to enter your application reference number. One will find it easily on the acknowledgement receipt generated at the time of submission of the application.

Step 3: The portal will cross-check your details and will display the status of your child's Aadhaar card as either ‘Generated’, ‘Under Review', or ‘Rejected'.

Documents Required For Baal Aadhaar Card Application 2026

Parents need to upload or attach some supporting documents for the successful generation of their child's Aadhaar card. List of the required documents based on children's age is mentioned below for one's reference.

For Children Below 5 Years Of Age

List of documents required to be submitted by the parents of children below 5 years of age for their Aadhaar generation is as follows:

• Birth Certificate of the child.

• Parents’ Aadhaar cards.

• Birth certificate/ Passport / Voter ID or any other valid photo ID that proves the address of both parents.

For Children Aged 5 To 15 Years

List of documents required for children who lie between the ages of 5 and 15 years is as follows:

• Copy of the Birth Certificate or the School Certificate of the child.

• Parents’ Aadhaar cards.

• Identifying document (linkage with parents’ address).

• Charges Related to Aadhaar Cards for Children.

Baal Aadhaar Biometric Update: Free Window October 2025 – September 2026

The Unique Identification Authority of India has announced a special announcement concerning charges associated with biometric update child Aadhaar. Parents who have children between the ages of 7 and 15 years are mandatorily required to update their children’s biometrics in their respective Baal Aadhaar cards. This is usually done after the payment of a nominal processing charge; however, as per UIDAI’s latest announcement, parents who wish to do so can do it completely free of cost between the period of 1st October 2025 and 30th September 2026.

This fee waiver announcement was made by the authorities to encourage more and more parents to update their children’s biometric information in their respective Baal Aadhaar cards for authentication purposes.

Following Aadhaar-related regulations, children who are enrolled in the system for a Blue Aadhaar card before the age of 5 years are provided with the same, but without the collection of their biometrics, as they are still growing. As they grow older, their biometrics need to be updated to keep the sanctity of the Aadhaar system.

What Happens If Biometrics Are Not Updated at Age 5?

Parents who have not updated the biometrics of their children in their respective Baal Aadhaar cards will have to face certain limitations and disadvantages, some of which are mentioned below for one’s reference:

• The biometric update process is a mandatory process that every parent is supposed to comply with after their child turns the age of 5 years old or older. However, parents who do not comply with this rule of the Unique Identification Authority of India will have their children’s Aadhaar cards deactivated by the authorities. It would not remain functional for anything, thus making it useless.

• As Baal Aadhaar cards of children below 5 are issued without biometrics, their continued absence even after the child turns 5 years or older will result in various authentication issues. Service providers will not be able to validate the kids' identities through the Aadhaar system until the completion of the biometric update child Aadhaar.

• Without updating the children’s biometrics for their Aadhaar card, they would not be able to apply for various services, like government schemes, scholarships, etc., as identity verification using Aadhaar is an integral step for accessing almost everything today.

Updating the children’s biometrics is not just a procedure but a mandate. If you have a child whose Aadhaar card was made before they turned 5 years old, and now they are older than 5, please complete the process of biometric update as soon as possible, preferably before 30th September 2026, as you can get it done completely free, without paying a single rupee.

Conclusion

It is quite easy to apply for a Baal Aadhaar card for your newborn or child to ensure that your child is legally recognised and, hence, able to access a range of services. From admissions to accessing healthcare and government facilities, a Baal Aadhaar card would help your child fulfil most of their future needs, wherein identity authentication will be required.

If you have a child who is below the age of 5 years, we request you to apply for a Baal Aadhaar card and get it updated as soon as they turn 5 years old or older.

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