The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has opened 55 Aadhaaar Seva Kendras (ASK) as part of its plan to open 166 stand-alone Aadhaar Enrolment and Update Centres in 122 cities across the country, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology said on Saturday (2 October).

These are in addition to about 52,000 Aadhaar enrolment centers run by banks, post offices and state governments, it added.

According to the ministry, these Aadhaar Seva Kendras (ASKs), which are open on all days of the week, have so far catered to over 70 Lakh residents including Divyang persons.

"These centers have a capacity to handle up to 1,000 enrolments and update requests per day for Model-A ASKs, upto 500 enrolments and update requests per day for Model B ASKs and upto 250 enrolments and update requests per day for Model C ASKs," the ministry said.

These ASKs are operational from 9.00 am to 5.30 pm and remain closed only on public holidays .

While Aadhaar enrolment is free in these centres, a nominal charge of Rs 50 is payable for demographic updates and Rs 100 for biometric updates with or without demographic updates.

The Aadhaar Seva Kendra has online appointment system and token management system which guides residents to relevant stages of the enrolment and update process in a hassle-free manner.

As these centers are air-conditioned and designed with adequate seating capacity and also Divyang friendly, the ministry said.