FAQs

Biometric Data Capture Guidelines:

Check applicant's eyes and fingers for fitness (missing/amputated). If the applicant has any deformities due to which it is not possible to take fingerprints/iris, these also have to be captured as a biometric exception.
Check and indicate Biometric Exceptions in the software, only where applicable. Do not mark biometric exceptions where biometrics can be captured. It will be treated as ‘fraud’ and invite strictest penalty.
In case of Biometric exception, always take the Exception photograph of the applicant showing individual’s seeking to enrol/update face and both hands, irrespective of the type of exception.
The enrolee may not be in a position to keep herself / himself in correct posture for reaching biometric instruments or for photograph due to old age or sickness. In such cases the operator should arrange to take the biometric data by moving the equipment close to the enrole.
If the finger/iris of the applicant has a temporary damage and it is not possible to capture the biometric, the applicant should come later once temporary damage is resolved.
Capture Biometrics - Facial Image, IRIS and Fingerprints for all the applicants above 5 years in age.
In case of children who are below 5 years in age, only Facial Image and authentication by one of the parent’s/legal guardian is to be captured.

Guidelines for Facial Image Capture

Enrolee Position: For capturing facial image, it is advisable for the operator to adjust the camera instead of the Enrole to position herself/himself at the right distance or in the right posture. Frontal pose needs to be captured i.e. no head rotation or tilt. The applicant should be instructed to be seated properly with their back upright and their face towards the camera.
Focus: The capture device should use auto focus and auto-capture functions. The output image should not suffer from motion blur, over or under exposure, unnatural colored lighting, and distortion.
Expression: Expression strongly affects the performance of automatic face recognition and also affects accurate visual inspection by humans. It is strongly recommended that the face should be captured with neutral (non-smiling) expression, teeth closed, and both eyes open and looking into the camera.
Illumination: Poor illumination has a high impact on the performance of face recognition. Proper and equally distributed lighting mechanism should be used such that there are no shadows over the face, no shadows in eye sockets, and no hot spots. No light exactly above the enrolee should be used since it can cause shadows. Light should be diffused and placed in front of the enrolee so that there are no shadows under the eye.
Eye Glasses: glasses should be taken off before taking the photograph.
Accessories: Use of accessories that cover any region of the face is not permitted. For example, women in purdah would have to reveal the full face before the photograph is taken. Similarly women in Ghoonghat would have to clearly reveal the full face before the photograph can be captured. The head may remain covered but the full face contour should be visible.
Further, accessories like turban/head gear are also allowed as religious/ traditional practices.
However, accessories like eye patches are allowed due to medical reasons. This would also mean an exception needs to be recorded for Iris, because only one Iris can be captured.
Operators need to be trained to obtain the best possible face images that satisfy requirements. Even if the quality flag is green but the Operator is able to judge that a better picture can be taken, then same should be attempted. However, it should be borne in mind that recapture should not become harassment for the applicant.
For children, it is acceptable that the child sits on parent’s laps, but it needs to be ensured that parent’s face is not captured along with child’s face. The background may get rejected due to non white screen in case of children but two faces should not get captured in one picture.
Actionable feedback needs to be checked for captures that fail. Some of the actionable feedbacks in software are:
No face Found
Enrolee too far
Enrolee too close (eye distance in input image is greater than one third of image width)
Pose (Look Straight)
Insufficient lighting
Very low face confidence (faceless, object not identified as human face)
Non-uniform lighting (of face in output image)
Incorrect background (in output image)
Insufficient lighting (bad gray values in face area of output image)
If any biometric exceptions have been specified on the demographic screen, these should be captured as photographs on the Photograph screen.
Only facial image is captured for children below 5 years. Iris and fingerprint screens will not get activated for children below 5 years

Guidelines for Capturing Fingerprints

The images of all the ten fingers are to be captured. The fingerprints must be captured in the sequence of slaps of four fingers of left hand, right hand followed by the two thumbs.
The fingers have to be positioned correctly on the platen to enable capture. There should be no direct light shining on the platen. Use the Indicators on fingerprint devices for positioning of fingers. The fingers should be placed in right direction on the device. Please consult the manufacturer manual incase of any doubt or else consult the supervisor.
Use a lint free cloth periodically to clean the platen of the finger print device for good finger print capture
Check devices periodically for scratches, out of focus images, only partial images getting captured. In case any such problem is noticed, then report to your Supervisor/EA and request for change of equipment.
Fingerprints cut off, wet/smudged fingerprint; very light prints due to insufficient pressure will result in poor quality. The applicant's hands should be clean (no mud, oil etc.). Ask applicant to wash hands with water and soap, if necessary.
The fingers should not be excessively dry or wet. Moisten with a wet cloth or dry finger with a dry cloth
The Enrollee should be requested to place all four fingers of the left hand/right hand/two thumbs to platen of the fingerprint scanner for the four-finger capture to ensure good contact and maximize the area of the captured fingerprints. Ensure that the fingers are placed flat and till the top joint of the finger is placed well on the scanner. The top of the fingers should be within the platen area and not outside the defined area.
If automatic capture does not happen, the operator should force the capture when force capture tab is enabled in the enrolment software.
The operator should check the actionable feedback when capture fails. Some actionable feedbacks provided by software are:
Number of fingers present does not match with expected number of fingers
Finger not positioned correctly
Too much Pressure (duty cycle)
Too little pressure
Central region missing
Excessive moisture (wetness)
Excessive dryness
The operator should visually check the image for quality and for typical problems. In case there are problems go back to steps above to retry the capture.
When image quality is pass or if maximum number of captures are exhausted, move on to the next step
Fingerprints are best captured in standing position
In case of additional fingers, ignore the additional finger and capture the main five fingers.
Make sure your own fingerprints do not get mixed with the applicant's fingerprints. Operators can carefully put small pressure on the applicant's fingers to capture the fingerprints but always make sure not to mix your own fingerprints.

Guidelines for Capturing Iris

The operator and not the Enrollee will handle the capture device, generally.
Children can be told that it is like taking photos/pictures so that they are not apprehensive.
The Enrollee will be required to sit in a fixed position, like taking a portrait photograph.
The software is able to measure the iris image quality. An initial image quality assessment would be done to provide feedback to the operator during the capture process. The software alerts the operator with actionable feedbacks, if the captured iris image is of insufficient quality. Some actionable feedbacks provided by software are:
Occlusion(significant part of iris is not visible)
Iris not in focus
Gaze incorrect(individual seeking to enrol/update looking away)
Pupil dilation
The iris capture process is sensitive to ambient light. No direct or artificial light should directly reflect off Enrolee’s eyes.
The device should be held steady. In case device requires to be held by individual seeking to enrol/update, the enrolment operator/supervisor may help the applicant to hold the device steady.
Table light used for facial image capture should be switched off during iris capture. Direct sunlight or any other bright light shining on applicant's eye will create reflections and result in poor quality image.
Operator must instruct the applicant to look straight into the iris scanner, open eyes wide open (one easy way to do this is to ask the applicant look angry or stare) and do not blink during iris capture. Applicant has to be stationary.
If applicant is experiencing difficulty during Iris scan and recapture is required, then the operator may navigate to next screen to capture other details and then return to Iris capture. This will relax the applicant from constant pressure to keep eyes wide open during iris capture.
The Operator needs to be patient during capture and wait for the device response instead of scrolling, navigating back and forth on screen.

Demographic Data Capture Guidelines:

Enter the Demographic details of the applicant from the verified Enrolment/Update Form.
In case of Aadhaar Update, only the fields which need to be updated should be marked and filled.
Encourage the applicant to add mobile number and email ID in the form.
Pay attention to Data Aesthetics during demographic data capture. Avoid improper use of spaces, punctuation marks, capital & small letters during data capture.
Avoid use of un-parliamentary language & transliteration error.
Leave those non-mandatory fields blank where no data is provided by applicant. Do not enter N/A, NA etc. in fields where applicant has not provided any data.
FillingC/o field with Father / Mother / Husband / Wife / Guardian field is not mandatory for applicant.
In case of children below the age of 5 years the parents’ or legal guardian’s name and Aadhaar Number shall be mandatorily recorded.
It is not compulsory for only father’s name to be recorded against the ‘parent’s name.’ Mother’s name can alone be recorded for the ‘parent’s guardian’s’ name if so desired by the parent.
Enrolment of the parent is mandatory prior to the child. If the child’s father /mother / guardian has not Enroled or does not possess Aadhaar Number at the time of enrolment, the enrolment of that child cannot be done.
For Head of Family (HoF) based verification Name, Aadhaar Number of HoF and Relationship Details of the family member to HoF are mandatory details to be entered.

An Operator is employed by an Enrolment Agency to execute enrolment at the enrolment stations. To qualify for this role, person should satisfy the following criteria:

The person should be of age 18 years and above.
The person shall be 10+2 pass and should preferably be a graduate.
The person should have been Enroled for Aadhaar and his/her Aadhaar number should have been generated.
The person should have a basic understanding of operating a computer and should be comfortable with local language keyboard and transliteration.
The person should have obtained “Operator Certificate” from a Testing and Certification Agency appointed by UIDAI.

Sub-Contracting of Enrolment Work by EAs is not allowed.

Enrolment Agencies are entities appointed by Registrar or Authority for collecting demographic or biometric information of an individuals seeking enrolment.

"Registrar" is any entity authorized or recognized by the UID Authority for the purpose of enrolling the individuals for UID numbers. Registrars are typically departments or agencies of the State Government/Union territory, public sector undertakings and other agencies and organizations, who interact with individuals in the normal course of implementation of some of their programs, activities or operations. Examples of such Registrars are Rural Development Department (for NREGS) or Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department (for TPDS), insurance companies such as Life Insurance Corporation and Banks.
Registrars will collect demographic & biometric data from individuals directly or through Enrolment Agencies. Registrars have the flexibility to collect additional data, which will be referred to as ‘KYR+’ fields for the various applications they have in mind.
The UIDAI has developed standards, procedures and processes, guidelines and technology systems to execute the entire Aadhaar enrolment process which will be adhered to by the Registrars. Registrars can also leverage the Ecosystem that has been built by the UIDAI in order to support them in this process.

Resident Indian/NRI child seeking enrolment need to visit an Aadhaar enrolment centre along with Mother and/or Father or Legal guardian submit a request in requisite form along with valid supporting documents. Enrolment and Update form can also be downloaded from (Aadhaar Enrolment & Update Forms)

The enrolment operator shall capture the following informations during the course of enrolment:

For Resident Indian Child:
Mandatory Demographic information (Name, Date of Birth, Gender, Address)
Optional demographic information (mobile number and email)
Details of Mother and/or Father or Legal Guardian (in case of HOF based enrolment) will be captured. Both or One of the parents/ guardian has to authenticate on behalf of the child and also give consent for enrolment of the minor by signing the enrolment form.
And
Biometric Information (Photo of child).
Type of documents presented (Birth Certificate is mandatory for the child born after 01-10-2023) will be scanned.

After completing the enrolment the operator shall return all the documents alongwith an acknowledgement slip containing the applicable charges ( New Enrolment is Free of charge).

For NRI Child:

Mandatory Demographic information (Name, Date of Birth, Gender, Address and email)
Optional demographic information (mobile number )
Details (Aadhaar number) of Mother and/or Father or Legal Guardian (in case of HOF based enrolment) is captured . Both or One of the parents/ guardian has to authenticate on behalf of the child and also give consent for enrolment of the minor by signing the enrolment form.
And
Biometric Information (Photo of child)
Type of documents presented [valid Indian passport of the child is mandatory as Proof of Identity (PoI)]
Residential Status ( Resided in India for at least 182 days is not applicable for NRI)
After completing the enrolment the operator shall return all the documents alongwith an acknowledgement slip containing the applicable charges (New Enrolment is Free of charge).

List of valid supporting documents is available at (List of Supporting Documents) 

You can locate the nearest enrolment centre at : (Bhuvan Aadhaar Portal)

Process at enrolment centre -
The individual seeking enrolment and Head of the Family (HoF) should present themselves at the time of enrolment. The individual should produce a valid Proof of Relationship (POR) document for new enrolment. Only Mother/Father/Legal Guardian can act as HOF for new enrolment.

The enrolment operator shall capture the following information during the course of enrolment:

Mandatory Demographic information (Name, Date of Birth, Gender, Address)
Optional demographic information (mobile number, email)
Biometric Information (Photo, 10 finger prints, both Iris)
Aadhaar number of the parents/ legal guardian (HOF) has to be captured for authentication on behalf of the child.
In case of child HOF to sign the enrolment form.
After completing the enrolment the operator shall return all the documents along with an acknowledgement slip containing the applicable charges (New Enrolment is Free of charge).
List of valid supporting documents is available at (List of Supporting Documents)
You can locate the nearest enrolment centre at : (Bhuvan Aadhaar Portal)

For child age-group (0-18 yrs) Normally up to 30 days from the date of enrolment.
and
For Adults age 18+, normally up to 180 days from the date of enrolment. For enrolment/update request a verification may be conducted through concerned Authorities(State), before Aadhaar generation.

With 90% service standards. If -
1. Quality of enrolment data meets prescribed standards laid down by UIDAI
2. The enrolment packet passes all the validations done in CIDR
3. No Demographic/Biometric duplicate is found
4. No unforeseen technical issues

The database will be maintained in English. The communication between individual and UIDAI will be in English and the local language.