The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has published a revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) governing name update requests in Aadhaar cards. The document establishes tailored protocols, designated affidavit templates, and specific supporting paperwork for various types of name modifications, ranging from minor clerical errors to major identity adjustments. Published on the official UIDAI portal, this updated guidance standardizes the handling of name change requests across enrollment and update centers. Understanding the New SOP Framework A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) outlines explicit operational guidelines, valid document requirements, and step-by-step mechanisms for administrative workflows. Under UIDAI’s updated framework, applicants must categorize their correction request under specific headings, each requiring distinct documentation and sworn affidavits. Case-Specific Procedures and Required Affidavits Clerical or Data Entry Errors: If an applicant’s name was misspelled due to a typographical or data entry error during original enrollment—while their previously submitted Proof of Identity (PoI) or Proof of Relationship (PoR) correctly states the legal name—adults must submit the designated affidavit under Annexure-B. Minors require an affidavit under Annexure-C alongside supporting identity or relationship records. Surname Changes Post-Marriage or Divorce: Individuals seeking to add, alter, or remove a surname following marriage or divorce must furnish an affidavit under Annexure-D, accompanied by standard identity documentation. Removal of Aliases (“Alias / Urf”): For records where an alias is documented and the individual wishes to retain only their primary legal name, adults must file an Annexure-E affidavit, while minors must submit Annexure-F, backed by supporting identification. Major Name Changes: Substantial modifications involving first names or full-name transitions require a formal Gazette Notification alongside an identity document reflecting the previous legal name. Removal of Titles, Ranks, and Prefixes: The SOP details guidelines for stripping honorary titles, military ranks, or formal prefixes (e.g., Dr., Col., Shri, Smt., Mr.) from Aadhaar records based on valid supporting identity proofs. Application Requirements and Update Limits Applicants must present the correct annexure corresponding precisely to their category of change; generic or outdated affidavits will not be accepted. Name updates continue to require an in-person visit to an authorized Aadhaar Seva Kendra. Under standard rules, individuals are permitted up to two name updates in their lifetime; modifications beyond this threshold necessitate an official Gazette notification and approval through the prescribed exception-handling route. Post navigation Lal Bahadur Shastri: The Prime Minister Defined by Humility, Integrity, and Public Service
