Manipur Gets First Aadhaar Seva Kendra in Imphal, Enhancing Aadhaar Services for Residents
Imphal, July 31: In a major step towards improving citizen-centric digital services, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) on Thursday inaugurated Manipur’s first Aadhaar Seva Kendra (ASK) at Wahengbam Leikai, near Hotel Bheigo in Imphal West district. The modern facility aims to provide faster, more accessible, and hassle-free Aadhaar-related services under one roof.
The Aadhaar Seva Kendra was inaugurated by N. Ashok Kumar, IAS, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Home Department, Government of Manipur, in the presence of Ngachan Zimik, Deputy Director General (DDG), UIDAI Regional Office, Guwahati, along with government officials and residents.
Speaking at the inauguration, N. Ashok Kumar highlighted that Aadhaar enrolment in Manipur has already reached nearly 87–88 percent, but enrolment among children aged 0 to 5 years remains comparatively low. He said the state government is working closely with the Social Welfare Department, Health Department, hospitals, and UIDAI to improve Aadhaar enrolment for young children across the state.
He also urged media organisations to spread awareness about the importance of Aadhaar, noting that it has become essential for school admissions, scholarships, educational certificates, Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes, and various government services.
The Commissioner reminded parents that Mandatory Biometric Updates (MBU) must be completed twice during a child’s lifetime—first after the age of five years and again after 15 years. He informed that the biometric update service is currently available free of cost until September 30, 2026, encouraging parents and guardians to complete the process within the stipulated period.
N. Ashok Kumar appealed to the people of Manipur to make full use of the newly established Aadhaar Seva Kendra while continuing to access Aadhaar services available at Deputy Commissioners’ offices and other authorised enrolment centres across the state. He also interacted with visitors and staff at the centre to review enrolment and update procedures and assess the quality of services being provided.
The newly opened Aadhaar Seva Kendra is equipped with five operational service kits, enabling it to handle Aadhaar enrolment, demographic corrections, biometric updates, grievance redressal, and other Aadhaar-related services efficiently. The centre will remain open on all working days except public holidays, ensuring greater convenience for residents.
Addressing the gathering, Ngachan Zimik, DDG of UIDAI’s Regional Office in Guwahati, stressed the need to achieve 100 percent Aadhaar enrolment in Manipur, particularly among children. He emphasised that timely biometric updates for children aged 5 to 17 years are essential to prevent Aadhaar suspension and ensure uninterrupted access to government services that require Aadhaar authentication.
Designed with accessibility and inclusivity in mind, the Aadhaar Seva Kendra features wheelchair-friendly access, accessible washrooms, and a dedicated grievance redressal system, making Aadhaar services more convenient for all sections of society.
The launch of Manipur’s first Aadhaar Seva Kendra is expected to significantly improve Aadhaar enrolment and update services, reducing waiting times while offering residents a modern and efficient service experience.
