Aadhaar enrolment or update rejected: verified recovery steps

Last reviewed: 13 August 2026.

These are different problems.

The previous version of this page claimed “free re-capture within 90 days”, fixed fees and an 80% success rate. UIDAI does not publish those blanket rules. They have been removed.

UIDAI says Aadhaar generation goes through quality checks and recommends re-enrolment after an SMS says the request was rejected. Take the original acknowledgement and valid supporting documents to an authorised centre. New Aadhaar enrolment is free.

Before doing that, check all existing EIDs. UIDAI warns that if the first enrolment already generated an Aadhaar, every later re-enrolment will be rejected. Use the Retrieve UID/EID service, visit a centre or call 1947.

Read the exact reason. UIDAI gives examples for an invalid online address document: the document must be on the accepted list, be in the Aadhaar holder's name, contain an address matching the entered address, and be a clear colour scan of the original.

Other demographic updates may require a centre visit and are subject to update limits. For DOB “limit exceeded”, follow the Regional Office exception process; do not submit repeated ordinary updates.

1. Save the EID/SRN/URN, rejection status and SMS.
2. Confirm whether an Aadhaar already exists for the resident.
3. Compare the submitted document with UIDAI's current accepted-document list.
4. Correct the underlying civil or identity record if it is genuinely wrong.
5. Use an authorised centre or official online service appropriate to that field.
6. Verify every entry before final submission and collect the acknowledgement.
7. Call 1947 or file a UIDAI grievance if the reason is unclear or the same correct request is repeatedly rejected.

Do not use affidavits, stamp paper or unofficial “reason codes” unless UIDAI's current field-specific procedure requires them.

For a child born on or after 1 October 2023, UIDAI says a birth certificate is mandatory for enrolment. Parent/guardian and Head-of-Family details also matter. Use the child Aadhaar mismatch checklist before re-enrolling.

Use UIDAI's grievance portal, 1947 or the concerned Regional Office where the official procedure requires exception handling. There is no need to invent a statutory “appeal fee” or 90-day appeal window.

RTI can seek existing status records or the recorded rejection reason from UIDAI after ordinary support fails. It cannot order Aadhaar generation or seek biometric data. Keep the request narrowly focused and mask identity details in public correspondence.

• UIDAI FAQ: rejected Aadhaar request
• UIDAI FAQ: enrolment, retrieval and update rejection
• UIDAI Enrolment and Update FAQ
• UIDAI official services and 1947

No. Re-enrol when a new enrolment was rejected and UIDAI recommends it. If Aadhaar already exists, retrieve it; for an update rejection, correct that update.

Yes. UIDAI's citizen material states Aadhaar enrolment is free. Update charges are separate and must be checked on UIDAI's current fee list.

No. UIDAI validates every request. Pay only official charges and collect a receipt.

• DOB update limit exception
• Child Aadhaar rejection
• Prepare consistent certificate records
• Passport identity and police-verification recovery

Book: RTI Explained — A Practical Guide for Every Indian