Aadhaar Card Photo: How to Update It

You cannot upload or bring a photo for Aadhaar. UIDAI treats your face photo as biometric data, so an operator captures it live at an Aadhaar Enrolment Centre or Aadhaar Seva Kendra, along with your fingerprints and iris scans. To change it you need a biometric update, which costs ₹125. Mandatory updates for children aged 5–17 are free until 30 September 2027.

This guide follows the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) pages on updating Aadhaar data and on Aadhaar Seva Kendras, and UIDAI's published charges.

Why you cannot upload an Aadhaar photo

UIDAI splits Aadhaar data into two kinds. Demographic information is your name, address, date of birth, gender, mobile number, email and relationship details. Biometric information is your iris, fingerprints and facial photograph. Biometric updates are placed through an operator at an Aadhaar centre, and your identity is checked against your existing biometrics.

Changing your Aadhaar photo

UIDAI's update guide says demographic and biometric updates are placed with the help of an operator at an Aadhaar centre, who also checks any documents on the spot. The operator signs off every request with their own biometrics, and you get an acknowledgement receipt to track your request. UIDAI's "Update Client Lite" software can also update the photo along with demographic details.

Aadhaar Seva Kendras are open all 7 days, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and list "Update of Biometric data in their Aadhaar – Photo, Fingerprints and Iris Scans" among their services. You can visit any Aadhaar Seva Kendra in the country, not only one in your home state.

Aadhaar update charges

These are the charges UIDAI publishes for any Aadhaar Enrolment Centre, as shown on its Aadhaar Seva Kendra page last updated on 1 October 2026:

UIDAI says a mandatory biometric update for a child is a stand-alone transaction and cannot be combined with other updates in the same request.

Children: mandatory biometric updates at 5 and 15

A child under 5 is enrolled with a photograph, name, date of birth, gender, address and birth certificate, but no fingerprints or iris scans, which UIDAI says are not mature at that age. Then:

• At 5: the child gives all biometrics, including a new photo. This is the first mandatory biometric update.
• At 15: the child gives all biometrics again, the second mandatory biometric update.
• Adults: UIDAI recommends updating biometrics every 10 years if you enrolled after 15.

Doing these updates on time keeps your child's Aadhaar photo close to how they look now, which matters for school, scholarships and entrance exams.

Why your Aadhaar photo matters for exams and PAN

• NEET (UG): NTA's 2026 bulletin says the live photo you take in the application is matched with your Aadhaar photo. See NEET photo size.
• JEE Main: NTA advises candidates to update their Aadhaar with a recent photograph. See JEE Main photo size.
• SSC: candidates who choose Aadhaar authentication are not rejected over photo or signature problems. See SSC photo rules.
• PAN: Instant e-PAN is issued from your Aadhaar details with no photo upload. See PAN card photo size.

Make a passport-size photo

How to update your Aadhaar photo

1. Book an appointment. Book a free slot at bookappointment.uidai.gov.in for an Aadhaar Seva Kendra, or find a nearby Aadhaar Enrolment Centre. One person can book up to two appointments a month.
2. Visit the centre in person. Take your Aadhaar number with you. Aadhaar Seva Kendras are open all 7 days from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
3. Ask for a biometric update. The operator captures a new photo, fingerprints and iris scans. Look straight at the camera with your eyes open and hair off your face.
4. Pay and keep the slip. Pay ₹125, unless it is a free mandatory update for a child, and keep the acknowledgement slip to track your update.

Aadhaar photo FAQ