If you are planning to order a new Aadhaar card or update your details this month, you need to know about the major changes that have kicked in from January 1, 2026.
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) have introduced three significant updates. While one is good news for millions of citizens, another might cost you a little extra. Here is a complete breakdown of the new Aadhaar rules, the price hike for PVC cards, and the extended deadline for free updates.
1. Aadhaar PVC Card Price Hike (Effective Jan 1, 2026)
The biggest update this month is the increase in charges for the Aadhaar PVC Card. For the last few years, ordering a durable, ATM-like plastic Aadhaar card from the official website cost ₹50. However, due to rising printing and logistics costs, UIDAI has revised this fee.
- Old Price: ₹50
- New Price: ₹75 (inclusive of GST and Speed Post charges).
- Why the hike? This is the first price revision since the PVC card service was launched in 2020.
If you order a PVC card now via the myaadhaar portal, you will have to pay the new amount. The card comes with advanced security features like a hologram, guilloche pattern, and a QR code, making it more secure than a simple printout.
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2. Good News: Free Document Update Extended
In a massive relief for citizens, the deadline to update Aadhaar documents for free has been extended again.
- New Deadline: June 14, 2026.
- What does this mean? If your Aadhaar card was issued more than 10 years ago and you haven’t updated it, you must submit a Proof of Identity (POI) and Proof of Address (POA).
- Cost: This service is FREE if you do it online on the
myaadhaar.uidai.gov.inportal. However, if you visit an offline Aadhaar Seva Kendra, you will still be charged ₹50.
3. Stricter Rules for Aadhaar Payment (AePS)
To stop the rising cases of financial fraud and “Aadhaar fingerprint scams,” the RBI has enforced strict new rules for Aadhaar Enabled Payment Systems (AePS) starting this month.
- For Customers: Your money is now safer. Bank agents and “Touchpoint Operators” (ATOs) who help you withdraw cash using fingerprints now face stricter KYC verification.
- The “3-Month” Rule: If an agent has been inactive for 3 months, they must undergo fresh verification before they can process your transaction. This stops criminals from using dormant IDs to steal money.
Important: PAN-Aadhaar Linking Status
A quick reminder for everyone: The final deadline to link your PAN with Aadhaar was December 31, 2025. If you missed this deadline, your PAN card might have become “Inoperative” from January 1, 2026. This means:
- You cannot file Income Tax Returns (ITR).
- Pending tax refunds will not be processed.
- Higher TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) will be deducted from your earnings. You can still link them by paying a penalty of ₹1,000 on the income tax portal to reactivate your PAN.
Conclusion: Action Items for You
- Check your Aadhaar: If it is over 10 years old, log in to the portal and upload your ID and Address proof before June 2026 to save money.
- Order Carefully: If you need a PVC card, be prepared to pay ₹75 instead of ₹50.
- Stay Alert: When using Aadhaar for cash withdrawals at local shops, ensure the operator gives you a printed receipt, as the new security rules make the process more transparent.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the new price of the Aadhaar PVC card in 2026?
Effective January 1, 2026, the fee for ordering an Aadhaar PVC card has been increased from ₹50 to ₹75.
Q: Is the free Aadhaar update service still available?
Yes, the deadline for updating Aadhaar documents (Identity and Address proof) for free online has been extended to June 14, 2026.
Q: Why is my PAN card showing “Inoperative”?
If you did not link your PAN with Aadhaar by December 31, 2025, your PAN has become inoperative. You can reactivate it by paying a ₹1,000 penalty.
Q: Can I update my Aadhaar details offline for free?
No, the free document update is available only online on the myAadhaar portal. Physical centers will charge a fee of ₹50.
Q: What are the new AePS rules in 2026?
The RBI has mandated stricter KYC and background checks for agents (ATOs) to prevent fraud. Inactive agents must re-verify their details every 3 months.