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Email updates in Aadhaar still require biometric verification at authorized enrolment centres across India.
Residents can complete the request quickly by submitting the form and paying Rs. 50.
Linking an active email improves authentication alerts, service access, and digital document retrieval.
Updating personal details in Aadhaar has become more streamlined over the years. You can update most demographic details online. However, when it comes to adding or modifying an email ID, the process is largely center-based. Here is a clear look at how to change the email address in the Aadhaar card, who needs it, and whether it is mandatory.
An email ID linked to Aadhaar is no longer just an optional contact detail. It operates as a communication channel that receives update verification messages, authentication notifications, and service alerts.
Residents who use digital platforms for e-KYC, DigiLocker, PAN-Aadhaar linking, income tax services, and online address updates will find that an active email account enhances their access while maintaining security. The system enables users to recover their credentials more easily, track their status in real time, and secure their identity through an additional verification method.
At the same time, many Aadhaar holders were enrolled more than a decade ago, when providing an email address was uncommon. There are also others who have shifted to new email accounts. This has led to a steady rise in queries about changing the email address in Aadhaar.
Despite the expansion of the myAadhaar portal, email ID updates are not universally available as a self-service online feature.
Residents can upload documents and complete address updates online, but changes to core contact details, such as mobile number and email, typically require biometric authentication. That requirement requires visiting an Aadhaar Seva Kendra or an authorized enrolment center, which is necessary in most cases.
The physical verification ensures that the request comes from the Aadhaar holder and protects the database from unauthorized modifications.
The update process at the center is quick and designed to be user-friendly:
Step 1: Visit the nearest Aadhaar Seva Kendra or enrolment center.
Step 2: Fill out the Aadhaar Update/Correction form.
Step 3: Select the email ID field for update.
Step 4: Enter your new email address clearly.
Step 5: Complete biometric authentication.
Step 6: Collect the acknowledgement slip with the Update Request Number (URN).
The URN allows residents to track the status of updates online.
The absence of documentation requirements exists because biometrics function as an identity verification method. Residents need to pay the standard UIDAI update fee of Rs. 50 per request. The update process typically completes within several days. UIDAI states that processing can take up to 10 days.
The online appointment system allows users to schedule their visit, which will help them avoid long waiting times at urban centers.
Also Read: India Launches New Aadhaar App for Mobile Updates, Offline Verification, and Strong Privacy
Residents can verify their current information through the myAadhaar portal before making requests. The ‘Verify Email/Mobile’ option requires users to provide their Aadhaar number together with their email ID.
The system shows registered email status through an OTP-based confirmation process. The system needs this basic procedure because it prevents people from making unnecessary visits and submitting duplicate update requests.
The short answer to the frequently asked question, Is email mandatory in Aadhaar, is no. UIDAI does not require residents to provide an email ID to enroll for or use Aadhaar.
However, the practical value of linking has increased. As more services move to paperless and Aadhaar-based authentication, an updated email enables:
Faster service communication
Easier access to digital documents
Better account recovery options
Real-time authentication alerts
In a digital-first governance model, it is a convenient security feature rather than a compulsory field.
Residents who need to update their email information because they have chosen to:
Enrolled in Aadhaar without an email ID
No longer use their registered email
Frequently access online Aadhaar services
Use Aadhaar for banking, taxation, investments, or subsidies
An email ID provides senior citizens and rural residents with a permanent digital contact method since their mobile numbers may change due to network or service issues.
Also Read: How to Check PAN - Aadhaar Linking Status Using Income Tax Portal
UIDAI continues to expand the scope of online self-service updates. However, fields that involve primary contact information still require higher identity assurance through biometrics. Email updates fall in this category for now.
This hybrid model reflects the authority’s attempt to balance convenience with data protection.
The steps to change your email address in Aadhaar cards require residents to visit physical centers to process their requests. The Aadhaar system allows users to function without an email address, but they should maintain their email address because it enhances their experience in today's online service environment. Users’ contact information should be precise because Aadhaar now serves as the primary authentication system across industries.
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1. Can I change my email address in Aadhaar in 2026 online?
No. In most cases, you must visit an Aadhaar Seva Kendra. Email updates require biometric authentication, which is why the facility is not fully available through the myAadhaar self-service portal.
2. What is the fee to update the email in the Aadhaar card?
UIDAI charges Rs 50 to update your demographic details, including your email ID. The fee remains the same whether you update one field or multiple fields during a single request.
3. Is email mandatory in Aadhaar?
No, email is not compulsory for Aadhaar enrolment or usage. However, linking an active email helps receive service alerts, update confirmations, and authentication messages, and improves access to digital Aadhaar services.
4. How long does it take to update the email address in Aadhaar?
The update usually reflects within a few days after submission at the enrolment centre. UIDAI allows up to 10 days for the request to be processed in its system.
5. What documents are required to change the email address in the Aadhaar card?
No documents are typically required. The update is verified through biometric authentication at the Aadhaar Seva Kendra, which confirms your identity and securely processes the request.
