How to Change Photo in Aadhaar (Aadhar) and Update Biometrics?

What does a biometric update change in Aadhaar?

"Biometrics" are the parts of your Aadhaar that come from your body, not from documents. From age 5, UIDAI records three things. Children under 5 give only a photo.

Photo, fingerprint and iris updates cannot be done online. UIDAI's Aadhaar App FAQ says they need a centre. myAadhaar offers address and document updates only.

Changes to name, address, date of birth, gender, mobile or email are "demographic" updates. They cost ₹75 on their own. For every update type and its limits, see Aadhaar update: fees & limits.

Which fee applies to you?

Age decides most of it. Answer two questions to see what you should pay.

How much does an Aadhaar photo or biometric update cost?

These fees come from UIDAI's fee chart for 1 October 2025 to 30 September 2028. UIDAI says charges are the same at every centre. To add up your own case, use the fee calculator.

• Old figure: an old UIDAI FAQ still shows ₹100 for a photo update. That is outdated; ₹125 applies now.
• Next fee cycle: news reports say ₹125 will become ₹150 from October 2028. We have not seen it confirmed by UIDAI.

All Aadhaar fees in one place: Aadhaar fees & charges.

Which Aadhaar centres can update your photo and fingerprints?

Not every shop with an "Aadhaar" board can do updates. Our counter team sees three levels:

• Aadhaar Seva Kendras (ASKs) are one option. Some bank and post office branches also run Aadhaar centres; ask before you go whether they do biometric updates.
• Booking: free at bookappointment.uidai.gov.in for centres listed there. Other centres are walk-in only. You can reschedule up to 24 hours before your slot; a missed slot means booking again.
• Timings: Aadhaar Seva Kendras usually open on Sundays too. They close on about 10 holidays a year, such as Republic Day, Independence Day and Gandhi Jayanti. Most work 9:30 am to 5:30 pm with a lunch break from 1 to 2 pm, so avoid arriving at 1 pm. Check your centre before you go.
• Elderly, disabled or bedridden? In our experience home service can be arranged in some cases, but prior permission from the UIDAI Regional Office may be needed. It is not free; the full fee is charged.

What to expect inside: Aadhaar centres: what to expect.

How do you update your photo and biometrics at a centre?

1. Find an authorised centre

   Use the centre locator, or ask whether the centre has an Aadhaar operator ID. Book a free slot if the centre is listed on the booking portal.

2. Carry your Aadhaar and any originals

   Take your Aadhaar card, letter or e-Aadhaar print so the operator can find your record. Changing name, address or date of birth in the same visit? Take the original proof for each change.

   In our experience centres don't accept DigiLocker copies shown on a phone. Bring the physical document.

3. Tell the operator exactly what to update

   Say clearly which biometrics you want updated, and list any detail changes. They are all part of one ₹125 request (except a child's mandatory update, which must be on its own).

4. Give your new photo, fingerprints and iris

   Follow the operator's instructions at the camera, fingerprint scanner and iris scanner. UIDAI's Citizen's Charter sets up to 20 minutes for an enrolment session at the centre; it gives no separate figure for updates. Waiting in the queue can take longer.

5. Check the details on screen before you confirm

   Read your name, date of birth and address on the operator's screen. Mistakes are much easier to stop now than to fix later.

6. Pay and keep the update slip

   Pay ₹125, ask for a receipt, and keep the acknowledgement slip safe.

   You'll know it worked when you have an acknowledgement slip with a tracking number. You need it to track the update.

What should you know about the new Aadhaar photo?

• It is taken at the centre. You can't upload your own photo on myAadhaar or in the Aadhaar App.
• Follow the operator's instructions. We don't list dress or "look" rules here, because the UIDAI sources we checked don't set any. If you aren't happy with the photo, ask politely before the request is submitted.
• Face authentication compares your face with your Aadhaar photo. The new Aadhaar App also uses a face scan for registration, in good light. Users report face matches failing when they were enrolled as children. When biometrics keep failing, UIDAI's general advice is a biometric update, which records a new photo.
• Your photo appears on e-Aadhaar, the PVC card and in the QR code. After the update, download a fresh e-Aadhaar. Order a new PVC card (₹75) if you want a plastic card with the new photo.

What if your fingerprints don't match at the bank, ration shop or gas agency?

Fingerprint failures are a known problem for elderly people and manual labourers. A 2025 parliamentary committee report noted failures in ration, MGNREGA and pensions. Since 1 October 2026, biometric Aadhaar authentication is also needed to book subsidised LPG. Try these steps in order.

• Agencies must offer an alternative. UIDAI says OTP, iris or face authentication should be offered so a benefit is not denied.
• Ration card: the food department has said no genuine household may be deleted because of biometric failure. In our experience, if e-KYC isn't done the member is put on hold, not deleted. Many ration shops have no iris scanner, as reported for elderly users.
• Error 330? That means your biometrics are locked; it is not a fingerprint problem. Unlock them on myAadhaar, in the Aadhaar App or at a centre (you need your registered mobile). See Lock Aadhaar & biometrics.

More fixes for each situation: Fingerprints not matching.

What happens after the update, and how do you track it?

• How long? For updates in general, our team usually sees the change on e-Aadhaar in about a week. Sometimes it takes up to 30 days. Don't treat these times as guaranteed.
• Lost the slip? Log in to myAadhaar with an OTP and look for Update History (beta). It is reported to list your past update requests with date and type.
• No mobile linked? You can't download e-Aadhaar without it. Add your mobile in the same visit (included in the ₹125). Or get a biometric-authenticated e-Aadhaar print at a centre for ₹30–₹40 (UIDAI's own Seva Kendras list ₹40). See download without registered mobile.

Status meanings and rejection fixes: Update status & rejection fixes. Adding a mobile number: Update mobile number.

What if a centre asks for more than ₹125?

The official fee is ₹125, and our team confirms all centres charge the new rates. A December 2023 news report of a Lok Sabha reply says that, if overcharging is proven, the operator is suspended and the registrar fined ₹50,000.

• Charged ₹75 extra for each detail? Demographic changes made with a ₹125 biometric update are included free.
• Don't know the operator ID? People report that this makes complaining harder, so note the centre's name and address, the date and time, and keep your URN slip and receipt to quote when you complain.

More detail: Aadhaar fees & charges.

What problems come up with photo and biometric updates, and how do you fix them?

Bottom line

A new photo, fingerprints or iris means one visit to an authorised Aadhaar centre and ₹125, with other detail changes included. Children's updates are free at 5–7 and 15–17, and at 7–15 until 30 Sep 2027. Keep your URN slip, ignore "online photo update" offers, and call UIDAI's free helpline 1947 if you're stuck or overcharged.