Have you recently moved to a new location? You might be busy updating your address on e-commerce sites, banks, and other places. Amidst all these changes, don't forget to update your address on your Aadhaar. Keeping your Aadhaar address updated makes it easier to access related services and helps the Unique Identification Authority of India—the governing body of Aadhaar—prevent misuse, such as identity theft.

In fact, right now, updating your Aadhaar is also free, and can be done easily from anywhere through the UIDAI's online portal. UIDAI has extended the deadline for Aadhaar holders to update their details for free. You can now change your demographic information, such as your address, at no cost until December 14, 2024. This is the second extension this year, following the initial deadline in June 2024. However, this free update only applies to demographic details like address.

Note that biometric updates, such as fingerprint or iris scan changes, still require a visit to an Aadhaar center and incur a fee. If you've recently moved or need to correct errors in your Aadhaar, here's a quick guide to updating it online:

Visit the Aadhaar Self-Service Update Portal at myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in.
Enter your Aadhaar number and use the one-time password (OTP) sent to your registered mobile number to log in.
After logging in, review the demographic details displayed on your Aadhaar profile. If your address or other information is out of date, proceed with the update.
Upload a scanned copy of a valid Proof of Address (PoA) document in JPEG, PNG, or PDF format – the maximum size should be 2 MB.
After uploading the document, submit your request. You will receive a Service Request Number (SRN) to track the status of your update.
Check your SRN status regularly to confirm whether your update was successfully processed.
UIDAI specifically advises Indians to update their Aadhaar details regularly. Online address updates are free, but changes in biometric information will have to be done by visiting an authorised Aadhaar centre, for which a fee is charged.

According to UIDAI, updating Aadhaar is especially important for children who received their Aadhaar at a young age and need to update their biometrics after turning 15. Additionally, people who have undergone a medical procedure or accident that has affected their biometric details will also need to update their details.

According to UIDAI, keeping your Aadhaar details updated provides easy access to services and helps avoid any hassles.

Here are some reasons why not updating your Aadhaar can cause trouble:

– Incorrect address or outdated information can cause problems during financial transactions, at the airport, or while using government schemes.

– Incorrect demographic or biometric data can lead to authentication failure, making it difficult to use Aadhaar for its intended purpose. 

Regular updates also help the government maintain a secure database, thereby reducing the chances of Aadhaar misuse or fraud.

PC: The Indian Express