UIDAI SOP for Name Update in Aadhaar - UIDAI Circular dated 18/09/2026

Summary of UIDAI SOP for Name Update in Aadhaar (Circular dated 18 Sept 2026)

Purpose

• Issued by UIDAI to revise and supersede earlier SOP (2021) for name and gender updates.
• Effective from 18 September 2026.

Key Guidelines

• Name in Aadhaar must be recorded in block letters without aliases, prefixes, ranks, or special characters.
• Updates allowed under Regulation 19 of Aadhaar (Enrolment & Update) Regulations, 2016.
• Acceptable documents as per Schedule II must be submitted.
• Updated name must match previously recorded names; major changes require Gazette Notification.

Categories of Name Update

Minor Name Change    

• Expanding/abbreviating initials (e.g., TR D Prasad → Tadi Rama Durga Prasad).
• Adding/deleting middle/last names.
• Changing order (e.g., Divakar Anand → Anand Divakar).
• Minor spelling corrections (e.g., Ram → Rama).
• Requires PoI/POR documents.

Data Entry Error

• Correction if Aadhaar entry differs from submitted documents.
• Requires Affidavit + PoI/POR.

Error in Regional Language

• English correct, regional language wrong (e.g., निर्मला → निर्मल).
• Requires PoI.

Special Cases

• Post-marriage/divorce surname change (Affidavit + PoI).
• Name change due to gender transition.
• Child name update from “Baby of _”.
• Dropping ranks/designations/prefixes.
• Removal of random capital letters or dots.
• Removal of “urf/alias” (Affidavit + PoI/POR).

Major Name Change

• Complete change of identity (e.g., Ram Gupta → Shyam Gupta).
• Requires Gazette Notification only.

Supporting Documents

Affidavits (Annexures B–F) provided for:

• Data entry errors (adults/minors).
• Post-marriage/divorce surname changes.
• Removal of “urf/alias” (adults/minors).

Verification

• Affidavits must be signed before a Judicial/Executive Magistrate or Notary Public.
• False declarations may lead to Aadhaar deactivation and prosecution.

UIDAI F.No.HQ-16024/4/2020-EU-I-HQ IN PDF