New Delhi — The process of obtaining and updating Aadhaar cards in India has become significantly more stringent following regulatory changes introduced by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). The revisions aim to strengthen the integrity of the Aadhaar system and curb fraudulent enrolments, especially among undocumented individuals and foreign nationals.
According to the new rules notified on July 2, 2025, Aadhaar enrolment for adults will now involve rigorous verification procedures. Applicants will have to present multiple documents for proof of identity, address, and date of birth. These will be cross-verified against various official databases such as those of the passport office, ration card system, education certificates, utility records, and driving licenses.
A senior official confirmed that this overhaul is meant to ensure that Aadhaar remains a reliable and secure identity document. The official added that the process has been designed to make it extremely difficult for illegal immigrants to obtain Aadhaar numbers.
In addition to stricter verification at the time of enrolment, the UIDAI will now retain only the earliest Aadhaar number issued in cases where an individual has been assigned more than one. Priority will be given to Aadhaar records containing biometric data. Other duplicate or later-issued Aadhaar numbers will be cancelled to avoid misuse.
The changes are part of the Aadhaar (Enrolment and Update) First Amendment Regulations, 2025, and include a revised Schedule II which outlines in detail the acceptable documents for enrolment and updates. The list includes a range of documents for various categories including Indian citizens, Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), Long Term Visa (LTV) holders, and citizens of Nepal and Bhutan residing in India. It also includes special provisions for minors, transgender individuals, and those without standard documents, allowing enrolment through Head of Family declarations in specific cases.
For Aadhaar data updates, the UIDAI continues to allow both online and offline methods. Basic demographic changes like address updates can be done through the Self-Service Update Portal using an OTP and valid proof of address. More complex updates, such as name, gender, and date of birth, require in-person verification at Aadhaar Seva Kendras or other authorised centres.
Despite these stricter norms, UIDAI has emphasized that the system remains user-friendly for legitimate citizens who possess the necessary documents. Aadhaar continues to be widely used for availing government subsidies, banking services, and identity verification in various sectors.
The new regulations are also expected to impact service providers and institutions using Aadhaar for eKYC. These entities will need to update their verification processes in accordance with the expanded documentation requirements and tighter controls on duplicate Aadhaar numbers.
The enhanced verification system is being rolled out across states through designated verification portals, with state governments taking a more active role in validating submitted documents and applicant identities. This move marks a significant step in ensuring that Aadhaar remains a robust, tamper-proof identity system for all residents of India.