Aadhaar Services to Become More Accessible as UIDAI Plans Major Centre Expansion

India’s Aadhaar framework is poised to become significantly more accessible for adult residents, following a planned expansion by the Unique Identification Authority of India. Under this initiative, the number of fully operational Aadhaar enrollment and update centres for adults will rise from 88 to 473 by September 2026. The objective of this expansion is to ease travel constraints and improve nationwide access to Aadhaar-related services.

Currently, while Aadhaar enrollment for children is available at post offices, adults have comparatively limited service points. As a result, many adult applicants are required to travel long distances, often across multiple districts, to reach an Aadhaar centre. UIDAI Chief Executive Officer Bhuvnesh Kumar stated that the expansion aims to ensure the availability of at least one full-service Aadhaar centre for every two districts. These centres will provide comprehensive services, including fresh enrollments and all types of updates.

Although certain Aadhaar details can be modified online, updates involving biometric information or name changes beyond a specified limit still require a physical visit. The addition of new centres is expected to reduce waiting times and enhance overall convenience for adult users. UIDAI is also working towards integrating Aadhaar centre locations with Google Maps to help citizens easily identify the nearest service facility.

While adult Aadhaar applicants represent a relatively small proportion of the population, even a limited percentage translates into a substantial number of individuals in a country of India’s size. Adult applicants commonly include non-resident Indians and overseas citizens of India. Foreign nationals residing in India are also eligible for Aadhaar, as it serves as an identity verification mechanism rather than proof of citizenship.

To safeguard data accuracy and integrity, UIDAI has implemented stricter rules regarding changes to dates of birth. A single correction may be permitted in cases of clerical error, subject to the submission of an affidavit. However, multiple changes will not be allowed. UIDAI has further cautioned that providing false birth details during a child’s Aadhaar enrollment may lead to legal action.

This expansion will make Aadhaar services easier to access for adults across the country. It reduces the need for long travel and improves service availability at the district level. Stricter rules also help maintain accurate and reliable Aadhaar data. Overall, the move strengthens trust and efficiency in India’s digital identity system.

Information referenced in this article is from The Hindu