Business Desk 
Jun 20, 2025
The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has made changes to the National Identity Card (NIC) Rules for the first time since 2002.
The alteration of the NIC rules is the result of the direction of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and was cleared by the federal cabinet.
New changes in NADRA CNIC
One of the main changes in the NIC rules is a strict new procedure on children's registration, whereby a child's birth must be registered with the Union Council prior to applying for a Child Registration Certificate (Form B).
Children under the age of three will not have a picture or biometric data required. Children aged 3 through 10 will have to supply a picture and, if available, an iris scan. For children aged 10 through 18, providing the full biometric data is now mandatory.
One of the most discussed reforms is the legal status given to the Family Registration Certificate (FRC).
People must confirm all their family members through NADRA records, and married women now have the option to keep either their father’s or husband’s name on their CNIC, based on their choice.
To make identity services faster and more transparent, NADRA has also introduced a 30-day time limit for resolving document issues like verification or cancellation.
The older Teslin CNIC has also been improved with better security features, now including QR codes and bilingual data, helping make passport applications
