New Aadhaar guidelines: How to upgrade your name

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has actually provided a modified Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for upgrading the name of an Aadhaar number holder. The modified treatment changes the earlier procedure for name updates under the exception managing procedure.

The brand-new SOP sets out the various scenarios in which a name can be upgraded in Aadhaar and the files needed for each kind of demand.

Based on a UIDAI circular released on September 18, 2026, “In supersession of the name upgrade procedure as explained in the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of Name & & Gender Update Request under Exception Handling Process provided vide F.no. HQ 16022/2/2020-EU-I-HQ-Part( 1) on October 28, 2021, a modified SOP (in addition to Annexures) is being provided to be followed for performing the upgrade of name in Aadhaar by an Aadhaar number holder.”

Business What does the Aadhaar name upgrade SOP state?

At the time of Aadhaar enrolment, information such as name, date of birth, gender and address are tape-recorded based upon the files sent by the Aadhaar number holder.

The name in Aadhaar is tape-recorded in block letters. Alias or ‘urf’, prefixes, military ranks, classifications, service information and awards or designs are not allowed in the name. Dots and other unique characters are likewise not permitted.

Business When can you upgrade your name in an Aadhaar card?

An Aadhaar number holder might require to fix or upgrade the name tape-recorded in Aadhaar for a number of factors. The name upgrade demand needs to be supported by the appropriate files recommended under the brand-new Aadhaar guidelines.

The name will be upgraded according to the spelling, series, and abbreviation pointed out in the file sent by the Aadhaar number holder.

The UIDAI has actually offered a sign list of various scenarios in which a name upgrade might be asked for.

Business What are small name modifications in an Aadhaar card?

A small name modification normally includes a correction or adjustment that does not lead to a total modification of the individual’s identity.

The following circumstances are covered under small name modifications:

• Broadening an abbreviation in the name
• Abbreviating the name to initials
• Addition or removal of middle name(s)
• Addition or removal of the surname
• Modification in the series of the name

Business Small correction in the English spelling of the name, where the name stays phonetically comparable

The files needed will depend upon the nature of the correction and the appropriate case. Evidence of Identity (PoI)/ Applicable Proof of Relationship (PoR) in cases of the Head of Family (HoF)-based name upgrade for kids listed below 18 years of age can be kept convenient.

Information entry mistake in Aadhaar name

There might be a case when a name might likewise have actually been improperly gone into in Aadhaar although the file sent at the time of enrolment or upgrade brought the proper name.

For grownups, the files needed in such cases are:

Affidavit as recommended in Annexure B

Evidence of identity (PoI) or evidence of relationship (PoR)

For minors, the files needed are:

Affidavit as recommended in Annexure C

Evidence of identity (PoI) or appropriate evidence of relationship (PoR)

What if the name is right in English however incorrect in the local language?

There will be some cases where your English name in Aadhaar is proper and in the local language, it is inaccurate. Such cases are likewise covered under the name upgrade procedure and can be remedied according to the suitable treatment. A file such as the PoI can be kept convenient.

Diplomatic immunities for Aadhaar name upgrade

The SOP likewise covers specific unique scenarios where a name requires to be customized. These consist of:

Modification of surname of a female after marital relationship or divorce- a file such as an affidavit (Annexure D) and PoI ought to be sent

Modification of name following a modification of gender- PoI must be sent

Head of Family (HoF)-based name upgrade for a kid- Applicable evidence of identity (PoI) must be sent

Dropping of ranks, classifications and other prefixes from the name- Applicable evidence of identity (PoI) must be sent

Correction of arbitrarily taking place uppercase in the name- No files needed.

Elimination of dots from the name- No files needed.

Elimination of ‘urf’ or ‘alias’ from a name tape-recorded in Aadhaar- Affidavit (Annexure E) & & Pol ought to be sent

For names tape-recorded with ‘urf’ or ‘alias’, the upgrade includes getting rid of these terms from the Aadhaar name.

What is a significant name modification in Aadhaar?

A significant name modification describes a total modification of name or a modification that totals up to a modification in the identity of the Aadhaar number holder.

Such a demand is responsible to be declined if it is not supported by a gazette alert for the name modification.

For a significant name modification, the needed PoI file need to be accompanied by the gazette alert associating with the name modification.

The reliability of the files sent for the upgrade will likewise be validated. This consists of PoI, PoR, affidavits and gazette alerts, any place suitable.