What Is Blue Aadhaar Card and Who Gets It? Govt Issues Special ID for These People – Parents Must Know

Blue Aadhaar Card : The Aadhaar system has become a vital identity framework in India, used across various government and private sectors. But did you know there is a special version of this ID card issued exclusively for children below 5 years of age? This special Aadhaar is called the “Blue Aadhaar Card,” and it’s designed with unique features to cater to infants and toddlers. If you’re a parent or guardian, this article explains everything you need to know about the Blue Aadhaar Card — from its benefits to how to apply for it.

What Is the Blue Aadhaar Card?

The Blue Aadhaar Card is a version of the standard Aadhaar issued to children below the age of 5 years. Unlike the regular Aadhaar, which includes biometric data such as fingerprints and iris scans, the Blue Aadhaar is generated without any biometric data. Instead, it is linked to the Aadhaar of one of the parents or guardians.

Key Features of the Blue Aadhaar:

• Issued to children aged 0–5 years
• No biometric data required initially
• Details are linked to parent’s Aadhaar
• It is printed in blue color to distinguish from regular Aadhaar
• Mandatory biometric update after the child turns 5

Who Is Eligible for the Blue Aadhaar Card?

Eligibility for the Blue Aadhaar Card is simple and specific:

• Children aged below 5 years
• Indian residents only
• Parents/guardians must have a valid Aadhaar card

Documents Required for Blue Aadhaar:

• Child’s birth certificate
• Parent’s Aadhaar card
• Child’s photograph (taken during enrollment)
• Address proof (as per parent/guardian’s Aadhaar)

How to Apply for Blue Aadhaar: Step-by-Step Process

Applying for the Blue Aadhaar is quick and easy. Parents can visit any nearby Aadhaar enrollment center or use special Aadhaar camps organized in schools and hospitals.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Visit the nearest Aadhaar Enrollment Centre
2. Carry required documents (birth certificate, parent’s Aadhaar)
3. Fill out the child enrollment form
4. A photograph of the child will be taken on-site
5. Aadhaar will be linked to parent’s Aadhaar
6. You will receive the Aadhaar number via SMS/email within a few days
7. The Blue Aadhaar Card will be delivered by post

Why Is Blue Aadhaar Important?

Even though it does not contain biometrics, the Blue Aadhaar is extremely useful for availing various benefits and identification processes for children. It helps parents access several child-specific schemes and services.

Benefits of Blue Aadhaar:

• Useful for school admissions
• Required for hospital registrations and vaccinations
• Helps in availing government schemes like mid-day meals, immunization programs
• Serves as identity proof for children
• Acts as a foundation for biometric Aadhaar later

Mandatory Biometric Update at Age 5

One of the key aspects parents must remember is that once the child turns 5, a biometric update is mandatory. This involves capturing the child’s fingerprints and iris scan to convert the Blue Aadhaar into a regular Aadhaar.

What Happens If Not Updated?

• The Blue Aadhaar will become invalid
• The child may not be able to use the Aadhaar for official identification
• Government benefits might be withheld

Comparison: Blue Aadhaar vs Regular Aadhaar

Here is a table showing the main differences between the two versions of Aadhaar:

Feature	Blue Aadhaar	Regular Aadhaar
Age Group	0–5 years	5 years and above
Biometric Data Required	No	Yes
Linked to Parent’s Aadhaar	Yes	Not necessarily
Color of Card	Blue	White
Valid for KYC	Limited	Fully valid
Mandatory Update at Age 5	Yes	Not applicable
Delivery	Postal and digital	Postal and digital
Uses	Identity for children, schemes	Full-scale identity across India

Government Schemes That Require Aadhaar for Children

Having a Blue Aadhaar helps parents enroll their children in various welfare schemes. Here’s a list of popular schemes where a child’s Aadhaar is useful:

Scheme Name	Benefit Type	Aadhaar Requirement
Mid-Day Meal Scheme	Free meals at school	Optional but useful
Balika Samridhi Yojana	Financial assistance for girls	Yes
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana	Girl child savings scheme	Yes
Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram	Free health check-ups	Yes
National Immunization Programme	Vaccinations	Recommended
PM Matru Vandana Yojana	Maternity support to mothers	Yes (Mother + Child)
School Scholarships	Financial aid for studies	Yes
Anganwadi Nutrition Schemes	Nutrition support	Yes

FAQs on Blue Aadhaar Card

1: Is Blue Aadhaar valid for travel within India?
Yes, it can be used as ID proof for travel, especially for rail and air travel.

2: What if the child’s name is spelled wrong on the card?
You can visit an Aadhaar centre to get it corrected by submitting supporting documents.

3: Can Blue Aadhaar be updated before age 5?
Only demographic details (like name, address) can be updated. Biometric update must wait until the child turns 5.

4: Is it compulsory to get Blue Aadhaar?
It is not legally mandatory, but highly recommended for accessing public services for children.

The Blue Aadhaar Card is a crucial step in ensuring early identity and access to services for every child in India. While it’s tailored for kids under 5 and doesn’t contain biometric data, it still serves as a valuable document for numerous purposes. Parents are strongly encouraged to enroll their children and ensure timely biometric updates to keep the Aadhaar valid. It’s a small step that ensures smoother access to government services and better tracking of developmental benefits.

This article is intended for informational purposes only. For official instructions and the latest updates, please visit the UIDAI official website or consult a nearby Aadhaar Enrollment Centre.