Tripura Launches Free School Aadhaar Biometric Update Drive

Agartala: The Tripura School Education Department started a statewide push to update Aadhaar biometric data for students in private and government schools. This service is free for anyone up to age 18. The state deployed nearly 50 trained staffers to handle the influx. Officials say the effort targets students at age 5 and 15 because facial features, fingerprints, and iris patterns change as children grow.

Keeping these records current prevents technical snags during board exams, college admissions, and competitive entrance tests. It also protects access to government scholarships and Direct Benefit Transfer schemes. Officials warned that skipping this update could lead to rejected applications later in a student's career. The department maintains that "timely biometric updates are crucial for maintaining the authenticity of Aadhaar records and ensuring uninterrupted access to education and government welfare schemes."

The move helps the state keep accurate numbers in the UDISE+ database. It stops duplicate enrollments and keeps the delivery of free uniforms and Mid-Day Meals transparent. This project follows earlier work by the Directorate of Elementary Education that hit 99 per cent coverage. Now, the Directorate of Secondary Education wants to reach full authentication. The camps follow strict orders from the Ministry of Education and the Cabinet Secretariat to reach 100 per cent fingerprint verification for all students.