The Blue Aadhaar Card, also known as Bala Aadhaar, is a special card issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to children under five years of age. This card is important because an Aadhaar card is mandatory for every Indian citizen, including children.
Blue Aadhaar
The Aadhaar card has a 12-digit unique identification number that is linked with demographic and biometric data. It serves as proof of residence and identity and can be used to access many government schemes and services. Therefore, obtaining a Blue Aadhaar Card for children under five ensures that they have a valid identity and residence proof from an early age.
BAL Aadhaar
Aadhaar is not just for adults, children must also have it. In 2018, UIDAI introduced BAL (Blue) Aadhaar for children under 5 years of age. The Bal Aadhaar is blue in color and has special features and benefits. It is important for parents to register their children for Aadhaar to avail these benefits.
The Blue Aadhaar card is different from the white Aadhaar card issued to adults. Let’s explore why the Blue Aadhaar card is necessary and its associated benefits.
How to Apply for a BAL Aadhaar Card
To apply for a child’s Aadhaar card, parents need to visit the nearest Aadhaar enrollment centre along with their child’s own Aadhaar card. They should complete the Aadhaar enrollment form and provide the child’s birth certificate or any other proof of the date of birth.
Additionally, parents should provide their own Aadhaar number, which will be linked to the child’s Aadhaar number. The Aadhaar centre will register the child’s photograph.
However, for children under the age of 15, fingerprints and iris scans are not valid. Hence, the biometric data is not taken for this age group. The enrollment process is free of cost. The Child Aadhaar Card will be sent to the registered address within 90 days.
What are the Benefits of Bal Aadhaar Card?
The Child (Blue) Aadhaar Card is a valuable asset for both children and parents. It provides a unique identity for children and serves as proof of identity and address for various purposes, such as school admission, passport application, bank account opening, and more. It also enables children and parents to access various government schemes and services, including mid-day meals, scholarships, health insurance, and others.
The Bal Aadhaar card helps to verify the identity of the child and the relationship between the parents, which is especially useful in emergencies or conflicts, child trafficking, child labour, child marriage, and other such situations. Overall, the Aadhaar card plays a crucial role in identifying children and ensuring their safety and well-being.
How to Update Bal Aadhaar Card
The Blue Aadhaar card is only valid until a child reaches the age of 5. After that, the child’s Aadhaar card needs to be updated with biometric data, including fingerprints and iris scans, which can be done at any Aadhaar enrollment centre.
However, biometric data is not reliable for growing children, so the Aadhaar card needs to be updated again only when the child reaches the age of 15. The good news is that the update process is free of cost.
Once updated, the child’s Aadhaar card will be delivered to the registered address within 90 days.
Required Documents for BAL Aadhaar Card Update?
If you want to update your Blue Aadhaar Card, you’ll need to provide some important documents. If you’re a parent, you should visit the Aadhaar Enrollment Center with your Aadhaar card. Your child will need to submit one of the following documents to verify their home address:
- School Identity Card (ID)
- Birth certificate
- Passport
- Ration card
- PAN card
- Driving license
- Voter Identity Card
- Any other document issued by the government.
This will help ensure that the identity verification process goes smoothly.
How to Check Blue Aadhaar Card Status
Parents can check the status of their child’s Blue Aadhaar card by visiting the UIDAI website or by calling the toll-free number 1947. To check the Bal Aadhaar Card status, they will need to provide the child’s Aadhaar number or enrollment ID, which is given at the time of Aadhaar registration or update.
To download the e-Aadhaar card, they can visit the UIDAI website. Additionally, they can download the Bala e-Aadhaar from the Aadhaar Card Digital Version (mAadhaar) app witch is available at Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
The Blue Aadhaar card is a unique identification card for children below 5 years of age. Parents can get this card for their children and use it as a valid ID proof.