Aadhaar App update in 2026: what is free, what costs ₹75, and what still needs a centre

If you are planning an Aadhaar update in 2026, the most time-sensitive fact is this: UIDAI’s current fee schedule and the PIB release of 3 July 2026 confirm that adding or updating email through the official Aadhaar App is free through 31 December 2026. That temporary waiver matters because the app does not support every kind of Aadhaar change, and the route you choose affects both cost and turnaround time.

There is also an important documentation inconsistency to keep in mind. The UIDAI Aadhaar App FAQ gives a general answer that name, gender, email and date of birth are unavailable in the app, but the more specific July 3 PIB release and the current UIDAI fee schedule establish a temporary app-based email-update exception. Do not assume the exception applies to other fields. Update the official app and verify that the email option appears before relying on it.

A smartphone showing a government identity app interface beside a checklist.
A smartphone showing a government identity app interface beside a checklist.

Quick comparison: which Aadhaar route should you use?

The table below uses the current official guidance and fee schedule. When in doubt, prefer the latest UIDAI app screens and official channels over third-party advice.

  • Email — Aadhaar App; free through 31 Dec 2026, per the current fee schedule and PIB release.
  • Mobile number — Aadhaar App only when the applicable OTP and registered-mobile conditions can be met; prescribed demographic-update charge ₹75. If no old registered mobile is accessible, or no mobile was registered earlier, visit a centre.
  • Address — Aadhaar App; ₹75; own-document or Head-of-Family route; face authentication required; processing can take up to 30 days.
  • Name, gender, date of birth — centre route under current official FAQ/service guidance.
  • Photo, fingerprints, iris — centre only; ordinary biometric update charge is ₹125. Age-specific mandatory biometric exceptions in the fee schedule should be read carefully before relying on any fee expectation.
  • Document update — myAadhaar portal is free through 14 June 2027; at a centre ₹75. Document update is not the same as changing every demographic field.

What the official routes mean in practice

Email update is the clearest temporary exception. The official 3 July 2026 PIB release and UIDAI fee schedule point to a free email update through the Aadhaar App until 31 December 2026. Because this is time-limited, readers should check the live app first and confirm the email option is actually available on their device.

Mobile number updates are more conditional. UIDAI’s current service flow depends on the right verification path, including access to the existing registered mobile where required. If you no longer have access to the old registered number, or if no number was ever registered, the practical fallback is an Aadhaar centre.

Address updates through the app are designed for people who can complete face authentication and either submit their own document or use the Head-of-Family route. The official fee schedule lists ₹75 for this demographic update route, and UIDAI notes that processing can take up to 30 days.

For name, gender and date of birth, the current official guidance still points to the centre route. For biometrics such as photo, fingerprints and iris, the centre remains the standard route, with an ordinary biometric update charge of ₹125. If you are looking at an exception tied to age or mandatory biometric updates, read the fee schedule line by line rather than assuming the same charge applies in every case.

Document update is a separate workflow. It can be useful for keeping identity records current on myAadhaar, but it is not a blanket method for changing every demographic field. If you need a demographic correction, confirm whether the app, myAadhaar or a centre is the right path before you submit anything.

Before you start: a short checklist

  • Use an Android phone with version 9 or later, or an iPhone with iOS 16 or later.
  • Keep a working smartphone and internet connection ready.
  • Make sure your SIM/device binding and face authentication can be completed as required by the flow.
  • Use the official UIDAI app and official UIDAI web services only.
  • Disable developer mode before trying to use the app.
  • Do not share your Aadhaar number, OTP, or documents with third parties or unofficial helpers.

Privacy and security: what UIDAI says, and what it does not promise

The Aadhaar App is designed around consent-based selective sharing, which means you choose what to share rather than handing over a full identity record by default. UIDAI’s FAQ also refers to authentication history, biometric lock and unlock features, no location capture in the app, and support for up to five profiles. Those features can improve control, but they are not a guarantee against misuse, device compromise or phishing.

A practical rule still applies: never give your Aadhaar number, OTP, face authentication prompt, or scanned documents to an unknown person, broker or non-official service desk.

What changed and why this matters now

The official Google Play listing was updated on 15 October 2026.

Test your route

Which Aadhaar route should you use?

If the app fails: official fallback only

If the app does not accept your request, do not switch to unofficial agents. Use the latest official UIDAI app instructions, the myAadhaar portal where applicable, or visit an Aadhaar centre for the route that UIDAI currently supports. If your issue is tied to mobile verification, app availability or a document mismatch, the centre route is usually the safest official fallback.

Sources

  • PIB, 3 Jul 2026: UIDAI Enables Free Email Update in Aadhaar through Aadhaar App — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2280645&lang=1&reg=3
  • UIDAI Aadhaar Enrolment and Update Charges PDF — https://uidai.gov.in/images/Aadhaar_Enrolment__and__Update__-__English.pdf
  • UIDAI Aadhaar App FAQ — https://uidai.gov.in/en/aadhaar-app-faq
  • UIDAI Aadhaar Online Services — https://uidai.gov.in/en/aadhaar-online-services
  • Official Google Play listing — https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=in.gov.uidai.pehchaan
  • Official iOS listing — https://apps.apple.com/in/app/aadhaar/id6744029871