UIDAI announces new SOP for changing name on Aadhaar, here's what you need to know

UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India) has issued a revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for updating names in Aadhaar. The authority has introduced separate rules and documents requirements depending on the type of name change being requested. The new SOP, which came into effect on September 18, 2026, replaces the earlier process introduced in 2021. The updated procedure categorises requests into multiple categories, including minor spelling corrections, data-entry errors, surname changes after marriage or divorce, regional-language corrections and major name changes. According to UIDAI, documents, affidavits and Gazette notifications submitted with requests will be subject to stricter verification to prevent misuse and identity-related fraud.The basic rules for name change in AadhaarUnder the revised SOP, names recorded in Aadhaar must appear in block letters, with no titles, prefixes (such as Shri, Smt, Ms, Dr, or Prof), aliases, ranks, or special characters permitted.