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Newborns and schoolchildren will now be enrolled for Aadhaar right on their doorstep.

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) will send its staff to homes, schools and hospitals for the purpose. Parents will get the newborns’ Aadhaar cards along with birth certificates.

While the UIDAI has introduced the facility at a government hospital in Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka will get it in some time. The UIDAI is in talks with hospitals in Karnataka and Kerala in this regard.

A senior UIDAI official, speaking to DH on condition of anonymity, said the move would ensure 100% enrolment. “Parents will get Aadhaar cards of the newborns along with the birth certificates. They can make the corrections later.”

According to the official, the UIDAI has enrolled almost all people aged 18 or above and is now focusing on enrolling schoolchildren and toddlers. In Karnataka, over 10 lakh schoolchildren and around 30 lakh out-of-school children are yet to be enrolled for Aadhaar.

“Just like in the pulse polio campaign, our staff will go from door to door searching for toddlers. To begin with, we will enrol children in the state’s 15,000-odd anganwadis. In August, our staff will start visiting schools and homes to enrol children by using mobile machines.

Earlier, we had visited some schools, but the exercise will be done again to add new enrolments,” the official said.

The UIDAI has enrolled 94% of adults in Karnataka while Kerala reached 100% enrolment long ago. Maharashtra, too, has 100% enrolment. Karnataka, along with Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, is lagging behind. In the state, the UIDAI has enrolled 6,12,22,059 people. Of them, 29,46,662 are children in the 0-5 age group, 1,30,86,053 are in the 5-18 age group and 4,51,89,344 are 18 years old or more.

Enrolment in Tamil Nadu is about 93% while it is 96% and 99.5% in Puducherry and Lakshadweep, respectively. “The national enrolment stands at 86%. It’s lower in states like Jammu and Kashmir, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh,” another senior UIDAI official said.

Biometric details

Those having Aadhaar keep coming for corrections, the official said and added that not many know that there was a need to periodically update the details of children, especially when they turn 15. “Biometric details (fingerprints and iris) are defined by then. Biometric details should be updated to confirm identity. This will help children get marks cards and school transfer certificates,” the official said.

This apart, the UIDAI has reduced the age limit for children whose biometric details were not being taken. Earlier, children up to five years of age were not required to provide their biometric details. But starting June, children above three years of age must provide the fingerprint and iris details for Aadhaar enrolment. “The biometric details of parents will be taken and they will get regular messages on the need to update the biometric details and photographs of their children,” he added.