The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has amended the Aadhaar enrolment and updation rules. All modifications have been introduced through a circular. Accordingly, NRIs can now apply for Aadhaar using a valid Indian passport. For NRI children, a valid Indian passport is the only accepted Proof of Identity (PoI) and Proof of Address (PoA). Two separate forms for residents and non-resident individuals have been introduced for the purpose.

NRIs, minors or adults, holding a valid Indian passport, are now eligible to apply for Aadhaar from any Aadhaar kendra. Additionally, a birth certificate is now mandatory for those born on or after October 1, 2023, whether resident Indians or NRIs.

Form 1 is for Aadhaar enrollment for those aged 18 and above, both residents and non-residents with proof of address in India. All NRIs must, however, provide an email address as part of their Aadhaar details as no SMS or text messages will be sent to non-Indian cellphone numbers provided by NRIs. A valid Indian passport will be the sole accepted PoI for NRIs.

Form 2 is for NRIs enrolling or updating with an address outside India. Forms 3, 4, 5, and 6 are for enrolling children with varying age categories and addresses, distinguishing between residents and NRIs.

Form 3 is for children from five years to below 18 years – resident Indians and NRI – with an Indian address proof. Form 4 is for NRI children with the same criteria as Form 3, but who do not have an Indian address proof. Form 5 is for resident Indian children aged below five years who have Indian address proof, while Form 6 is for NRI children below five years who have proof of address only outside India.

Form 7 is for resident foreign nationals above 18 years and this requires details of foreign passports, OCI cards, valid long-term visas, or Indian visas for enrolment. The inclusion of an email ID is mandatory here. Form 8 is for resident foreign nationals below 18 years, requiring parental or guardian authentication and consent.

The circular also emphasises the use of a valid Indian Passport as mandatory PoI for NRI applicants who can choose to provide any other Indian address with valid supporting PoA. The enrolment process for NRIs involves a specific declaration, and applicants are encouraged to carefully review all details before submission.

The new rules allow updation of details online (website or mobile application) and offline mode (Aadhaar enrolment centres). Earlier, only address updation was allowed online.

Aadhaar, being a unique identity proof, needs to be updated every 10 years from the date of creation of the Aadhaar number. The updates can be done online on the UIDAI website, through the UIDAI mobile application, or offline by submitting the form to the nearest Aadhaar enrollment centre.

UIDAI’s aim is to facilitate easier updating of details through any mode to keep the Aadhaar numbers updated.