The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has deactivated over 2.5 crore Aadhaar numbers belonging to deceased persons as part of a nationwide effort to maintain the accuracy and integrity of the Aadhaar database, officials said.
Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT Jitin Prasada told Parliament that the move is essential to prevent identity theft, fraud and unauthorised use of Aadhaar numbers after a person’s death. Active Aadhaar numbers of individuals who have passed away could otherwise be exploited for illicit transactions or to improperly claim welfare benefits, the government said.
The cleanup is part of ongoing database sanitisation measures, including regular updates using civil registration system data and improved reporting mechanisms. UIDAI has also introduced features such as biometric lock/unlock and face authentication with liveness detection to further enhance security and prevent misuse of Aadhaar credentials.
Officials noted that relatives can report a death through dedicated channels to ensure timely deactivation and help maintain the integrity of the system for living Aadhaar holders.
