Major Aadhar Card Updates in 2025: What You Need to Know
2025 marks a significant year for the Aadhaar ecosystem. The UIDAI has introduced critical updates ranging from a complete card redesign to new rules for linking documents. Failing to stay updated could result in service interruptions. Here is a breakdown of the most critical changes.
⚠️ Important Deadline
Mandatory linking of **PAN and Aadhaar** must be completed by **December 31, 2025**. Failure to do so will result in PAN deactivation starting Jan 1, 2026.
1. The New Privacy-Focused Card Design
By December 2025, UIDAI plans to roll out a redesigned Aadhaar card. The key change? **Privacy.**
The new cards may display only a photograph and a QR code on the front, potentially hiding the 12-digit Aadhaar number and full address to prevent casual data theft. Offline verification will rely entirely on scanning the secure QR code—making high-quality printing more important than ever.
2. Online Demographic Updates
Gone are the days of long queues for simple changes. Starting November 1, 2025, you can update **Name, Address, Date of Birth, and Mobile Number** entirely online via the myAadhaar portal.
- Requirement: Updates are verified automatically against linked docs (Passport/PAN).
- Exemption: Biometric updates (Fingerprint/Iris) still require a physical center visit.
3. Revised Fee Structure (Oct 2025)
| Service Type | Old Fee | New Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Demographic Update | ₹50 | ₹75 |
| Biometric Update | ₹100 | ₹125 |
*Online document updates remain free until June 14, 2026.
4. Biometric Revalidation for 10-Year+ Cards
If your Aadhaar was issued more than 10 years ago and hasn't been updated, your biometrics might be outdated. UIDAI is now **strongly urging** citizens to perform a "Biometric Revalidation." This ensures smooth authentication for banking and subsidies, preventing "Biometric Mismatch" errors.
What Should You Do?
- Check your card issuance date; if >10 years, update documents online (Free).
- Verify your PAN-Aadhaar linking status on the Income Tax portal immediately.
- If you receive the new QR-based digital file, print it on PVC for a durable physical backup.