Over 1.14 Lakh Aadhaar Update Requests Pending in Imphal West, Manipur

In a major step to ensure the accuracy of Aadhaar data for children and adolescents, the Office of the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Imphal West district in Manipur has issued a crucial notification mandating biometric updates for Aadhaar upon a child reaching the ages of 5 and 15. The directive is part of a broader initiative to improve the reliability of government records, reduce duplication, facilitate the generation of APAAR IDs (Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry), and ensure seamless access to various education and welfare schemes.

The order, signed by Imphal West DC Mayanglambam Rajkumar Singh, emphasizes the urgency of the matter. It draws attention to the alarming backlog in biometric updates in the district. Official statistics reveal that Imphal West currently has a total of 1,14,006 biometric updates pending. This includes:

• 65,487 pending updates for children who have turned 5 years old (Update-1)

• 48,519 pending updates for those who have turned 15 years old (Update-2)

These updates are crucial for converting children's Aadhaar numbers into fully functional IDs that can be used for school enrolment, scholarship disbursement, welfare eligibility, and other benefits. The biometric data at ages 5 and 15 help ensure the uniqueness and validity of the Aadhaar profile as the child grows.

Furthermore, the notification highlights that Aadhaar enrolment rates in Manipur are significantly lower than national averages, particularly in younger age groups. For instance:

• For children aged 0–5 years, Manipur’s enrolment stands at only 12.09%, whereas the national average is 39.54%

• For children aged 5–18 years, the state has an enrolment rate of 82.40%, well below the national average of 98.89%

To address these gaps, the Deputy Commissioner has strongly urged parents and guardians to complete their children’s biometric updates by 31st August 2025. Updates can be done at the nearest Aadhaar Operator Centres.

In addition, all Block Development Officers (BDOs), Municipal Executive Officers (MEOs), and the Municipal Commissioner of Imphal Municipal Corporation (IMC) have been instructed to formulate strategic action plans aimed at improving Aadhaar saturation among those under 18 years of age. These officials are also required to submit weekly progress reports broken down by Gram Panchayat (GP) or Ward level every Friday without fail.

To streamline the update process and ensure public access to relevant services, the DC's office has also made arrangements for designated Aadhaar operators under UNINGTHOU and MANITRON. Their names and contact details will be published on the official website of the Imphal West district administration (https://imphalwest.nic.in/). This will help parents and guardians identify the correct operators and centres where the biometric updates can be performed efficiently.

In summary, this directive from the Imphal West administration marks a critical push toward improving Aadhaar data integrity for minors and aims to bridge the enrolment gap in Manipur. With strict deadlines, administrative accountability, and public awareness, the initiative is set to enhance data accuracy and service delivery for children across the district.