The Centre on Friday introduced major changes to the Aadhaar enrolment and update process by notifying revised rules and a fresh list of acceptable documents.The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) amended the Aadhaar (Enrolment and Update) Regulations, 2016, and new provisions came into force immediately.Under the revised framework, separate categories of valid documents have now been prescribed for children, adults, foreign nationals, overseas citizen of India (OCI) cardholders, Nepal and Bhutan citizens and transgender persons for Aadhaar enrolment and updation.”The move is aimed at strengthening document verification and improving transparency in the Aadhaar system,” sources said.Family-based enrolment mandatory for children below 5Enrolment of children up to five years of age will now be compulsory through the Head of Family (HoF)-based system. Parents or legal guardians must possess a valid Aadhaar number for such enrolment. The child’s Aadhaar address will be the same as that recorded in the Aadhaar of the Head of Family.The notification also makes biometric authentication of one parent or legal guardian mandatory during enrolment. A birth certificate has been recognised as the primary document for proof of date of birth and relationship.Wider list of documents approved for adultsFor persons aged 18 years and above, UIDAI has approved an expanded list of documents for Aadhaar enrolment and updates. These include passport, ration card, voter identity card, driving licence, pensioner card, government service identity card, bank-related documents, electricity and water bills, gas connection bills, insurance documents and property-related papers.The revised rules clearly state that all documents must be valid and verifiable from the issuing authority. Documents containing inconsistent or unverifiable information will not be accepted.Relief for transgender persons and vulnerable groupsTransgender identity cards or certificates issued under the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, will now be accepted as valid proof of identity, address and date of birth.These documents can also be used for name and gender updates in Aadhaar records.Special provisions have also been made for persons with disabilities, residents of shelter homes, and children living in child care institutions. Certificates issued by District Social Welfare Officers and District Child Protection Officers have been included in the list of acceptable documents.Separate rules for foreign nationals and OCI cardholdersUIDAI has issued a separate document framework for foreign nationals, OCI cardholders, Nepal and Bhutan citizens, and Long-Term Visa (LTV) holders.As per the revised rules, Aadhaar issued to OCI cardholders and citizens of Nepal and Bhutan will remain valid for 10 years. Aadhaar issued to LTV holders will remain valid only till the validity of the visa, while for other foreign nationals, validity will be linked to the visa or FRRO registration certificate.Certificates issued by MPs, MLAs and Panchayat heads acceptedRegulations recognise certificates issued by Members of Parliament, MLAs, municipal councillors, gazetted officers, tehsildars and Gram Panchayat heads as valid proof of address in specified cases. The provision is expected to provide relief, especially to residents in rural areas lacking formal address documents.Stricter verification normsUIDAI has clarified that documents will be accepted only if they are currently valid, issued in the name of the applicant, and capable of verification from the source. Any document declared invalid by the issuing authority for proof of identity, address, relationship or date of birth will not be considered acceptable for Aadhaar purposes.The government said the revised regulations are intended to make the Aadhaar ecosystem more secure, credible and transparent while preventing misuse through fake or forged documents.