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India Aadhaar card photo requirements

The photo rules set by Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) for the India Aadhaar card, with the official wording and sources.

Based on 6 official sources · last checked Official sources Page history

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Quick answer

What are the India Aadhaar card photo requirements?

A photo cannot be uploaded or brought for Aadhaar. UIDAI treats the face photo as biometric data, so an operator captures it live at an Aadhaar Enrolment Centre or Aadhaar Seva Kendra, along with fingerprints and iris scans. Changing it needs an in-person biometric update, which costs Rs 125. Mandatory updates for children aged 5–17 are free until 30 September 2027.

The Aadhaar photo is not supplied by the applicant. UIDAI splits Aadhaar data into demographic information (name, address, date of birth, gender, mobile number, email and relationship details) and biometric information (iris, fingerprints and facial photograph). The facial photograph is biometric data and is captured live by an operator at an Aadhaar Enrolment Centre or Aadhaar Seva Kendra.

Biometric updates are placed through an operator at an Aadhaar centre, and identity is checked against existing biometrics. This entry follows UIDAI's pages on updating Aadhaar data and on Aadhaar Seva Kendras, and UIDAI's published charges.

India Aadhaar card photo size and specifications

The issuing authority has not published a detailed photo specification.

Key requirements

  • No photo upload

    The photo is captured live by the operator at an Aadhaar Enrolment Centre or Aadhaar Seva Kendra. The online update on the myAadhaar portal covers address update and document upload only, not the photo.

  • Changing the photo

    A new photo needs a biometric update in person, placed through an operator at an Aadhaar centre. The operator signs off the request with their own biometrics, and the resident receives an acknowledgement slip with a number to track the update. Any Aadhaar Seva Kendra or Aadhaar Enrolment Centre in India can be used, not only one in the home state.

  • Charges

    UIDAI's charges, as shown on its Aadhaar Seva Kendra page last updated on 1 October 2026: enrolment free; biometric update (fingerprints, iris and photo) Rs 125; first update between 5 and 7 years free; first or second update between 15 and 17 years free; update between 7 and 15 years free until 30 September 2027; demographic update with a biometric update free; demographic update on its own Rs 75; identity or address document update at a centre Rs 75.

  • Children

    A child under 5 is enrolled with a photograph, name, date of birth, gender, address and birth certificate, but no fingerprints or iris scans. At 5 the child gives all biometrics, including a new photo (first mandatory biometric update). At 15 all biometrics are given again (second mandatory biometric update). A mandatory biometric update for a child is a stand-alone transaction and cannot be combined with other updates in the same request. UIDAI recommends adults who enrolled after 15 update biometrics every 10 years.

  • Differing end date

    UIDAI's downloadable charges sheet still says the free update for ages 7 to 15 runs till 30.9.2026, and the original waiver announced in October 2025 was for one year. UIDAI's home page and Aadhaar Seva Kendra page say 30 September 2027.

  • Centre hours

    Aadhaar Seva Kendras are open all 7 days, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and list update of biometric data (photo, fingerprints and iris scans) among their services.

Do's and don'ts

Do

  • Book a free appointment at bookappointment.uidai.gov.in, or find a nearby Aadhaar Enrolment Centre
  • Take the Aadhaar number to the centre
  • Look straight at the camera with eyes open and hair off the face
  • Keep the acknowledgement slip to track the update

Babies and children

A child under 5 is enrolled with a photograph but no fingerprints or iris scans. Mandatory biometric updates (including a new photo) are due at 5 and at 15. The first update between 5 and 7 and the first or second update between 15 and 17 are free, and UIDAI has waived the Rs 125 charge for ages 7 to 15 until 30 September 2027. UIDAI's home page says mandatory biometric updates are free for children aged 5–17 until that date.

Not applicable: the photo is captured digitally at the centre, so there is no photo to print or upload.

Where to submit the photo

In person at any Aadhaar Seva Kendra or Aadhaar Enrolment Centre in India, including for NRIs who hold an Aadhaar number. Appointments are free at bookappointment.uidai.gov.in, for oneself or a family member, without an Aadhaar-registered mobile number; one person can book up to two appointments a month. UIDAI says all its own Aadhaar Seva Kendras follow the online appointment system.

How to get your India Aadhaar card photo

  1. Check the official requirements. Read the official specification for the India Aadhaar card. Check the rules on pose, expression, glasses and headwear below.
  2. Take the photo. Follow the key requirements: no photo upload; changing the photo; charges; children.
  3. Prepare a print or digital file. Not applicable: the photo is captured digitally at the centre, so there is no photo to print or upload.
  4. Submit the photo with your application. In person at any Aadhaar Seva Kendra or Aadhaar Enrolment Centre in India, including for NRIs who hold an Aadhaar number.

India Aadhaar card photo FAQ

No. UIDAI lists the facial photograph as biometric information, together with fingerprints and iris scans. It is captured by an operator at an Aadhaar Enrolment Centre or Aadhaar Seva Kendra, so there is no photo upload and nothing to print.

No. The online update on the myAadhaar portal is for the address, and identity and address documents can be submitted online. A new photo needs a biometric update in person, placed through an operator at an Aadhaar centre.

UIDAI's charge for a biometric update (fingerprints, iris and photo) is Rs 125, unless it is a free mandatory update for a child. A demographic update done at the same time is free; on its own it costs Rs 75. These are the charges on UIDAI's Aadhaar Seva Kendra page, last updated on 1 October 2026.

Yes, within set ages. The first update between 5 and 7 and the first or second update between 15 and 17 are free, and UIDAI has also waived the Rs 125 charge for ages 7 to 15 until 30 September 2027. UIDAI's home page says mandatory biometric updates are free for children aged 5–17 until that date.

A free appointment can be booked at bookappointment.uidai.gov.in, for oneself or a family member, without an Aadhaar-registered mobile number. One person can book up to two appointments a month. UIDAI says all its own Aadhaar Seva Kendras follow the online appointment system.

Yes, in India. UIDAI says the services at Aadhaar Seva Kendras, including biometric updates, are open to Aadhaar number holders of India including NRIs, at any Aadhaar Seva Kendra in the country.

Related photo specifications

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Official sources

  1. Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). Updating Data on Aadhaar uidai.gov.in. Checked 29 October 2026.
  2. Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). Aadhaar Seva Kendra (services and charges) uidai.gov.in. Checked 29 October 2026.
  3. Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). Aadhaar enrolment and update charges (PDF) uidai.gov.in. Checked 29 October 2026.
  4. Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). UIDAI home page (mandatory biometric update notice) uidai.gov.in. Checked 29 October 2026.
  5. Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). Book an appointment bookappointment.uidai.gov.in. Checked 29 October 2026.
  6. Press Information Bureau, Government of India. UIDAI waives charges for biometric updates for children aged 7–15 (4 October 2025) pib.gov.in. Checked 29 October 2026.

Requirements can change, so always confirm with Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) before you apply. WorldPhotoSpecs is independent and not affiliated with any government.

Cite this page

"India Aadhaar card photo". WorldPhotoSpecs. Last updated 4 November 2026. https://worldphotospecs.org/india/aadhaar-card-photo

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