The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has deactivated more than 2.5 crore Aadhaar numbers that belonged to deceased individuals in a large‑scale, nationwide database clean‑up drive aimed at preventing identity fraud and misuse of welfare benefits.
Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasada informed Parliament that this effort is crucial for maintaining the accuracy and integrity of the Aadhaar database, which currently has around 134 crore active holders.
The government has introduced enhanced security measures, including biometric lock features and face authentication with liveness detection, alongside a redesigned myAadhaar portal and new Aadhaar mobile app, to make reporting deaths simpler for families and reduce risks of impersonation or fraudulent access.
Securing India’s Biometric Identity
In his written submission to the Lok Sabha, Minister Prasada emphasised that deactivating Aadhaar numbers after a person’s death is essential to curb identity theft and prevent misuse for availing government or welfare benefits.
India’s Aadhaar is the world’s largest biometric identity system, and keeping it updated is a logistical challenge involving coordination between central and state authorities. The deactivation drive uses data from official death registries and civil registration systems, with UIDAI cross‑verifying records submitted by families and public agencies.
Prasada noted that the state or Union Territory recorded in a person’s Aadhaar data may differ from the place where the death was registered, making synchronization and verification important in ensuring timely deactivation across jurisdictions. This can help prevent situations where government pensions, subsidies or other services continue to be claimed fraudulently in the deceased person’s name.
Officials highlighted that the “Reporting of Death of a Family Member” feature on the myAadhaar portal has made the process more straightforward. After authenticating themselves with their own Aadhaar credentials, relatives can submit the deceased person’s Aadhaar number, death registration number and basic demographic details. UIDAI then verifies these against official records before deactivation. This online mechanism works alongside the traditional civil registration mechanism to ensure data reliability.
Security Features Designed to Curb Misuse
Beyond the deactivation of deceased Aadhaar numbers, the government has rolled out a suite of security enhancements aimed at minimising identity fraud and safeguarding citizens’ personal data.
One prominent feature is the biometric lock/ unlock option, which allows Aadhaar holders to lock their fingerprints and iris data. When locked, no one can use these biometrics for authentication without the holder’s consent, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorised transactions.
Another major safeguard is face authentication with liveness detection. This technology confirms that a real person is physically present during the authentication process, making it harder for fraudsters to trick the system using photos, videos or masks. The liveness detection feature bolsters security in digital transactions and welfare disbursements, where confirming the physical presence of the beneficiary is vital.
To protect data privacy, the UIDAI mandates that all entities requesting Aadhaar verification use Aadhaar Data Vaults, which store Aadhaar numbers in encrypted formats. Moreover, UIDAI emphasises that it does not share citizens’ core biometric information with any third party under any circumstances. For offline identity verification, tools such as Aadhaar Secure QR Code, paperless offline e‑KYC and verifiable credentials have been promoted to reduce dependence on raw data exchange while maintaining authentication security.
The authority also recently unveiled a new Aadhaar mobile application with improved features to help individuals manage their identity details more securely and conveniently. The app supports selective sharing of personal data, enabling users to share only what is necessary for a particular service, thus minimising data exposure. It even allows holders to update their mobile numbers directly through the app, which previously had to be done through separate procedures.
Evolving Aadhaar Database Hygiene Efforts
The deactivation of deceased individuals’ Aadhaar numbers is part of an ongoing effort by UIDAI to keep India’s digital identity ecosystem clean and trustworthy. Previous exercises have seen millions of Aadhaar numbers removed from the database using death data from multiple sources, including the Registrar General of India, states and Union Territories, public distribution systems and social assistance programmes.
Experts and data analysts have long pointed out discrepancies between Aadhaar numbers issued and actual population figures in some regions, often arising from delayed death reporting and lack of timely database updates. These discrepancies can create vulnerabilities in welfare delivery systems, where inactive identities might be exploited. The integration of death‑reporting features online and increased collaboration with civil registration systems have been crucial in addressing these challenges.
UIDAI has also circulated guidance for rare situations where an Aadhaar number may have been wrongly deactivated due to incorrect death reporting. In such cases, individuals can apply for reactivation through designated UIDAI regional offices by submitting biometric information and relevant verification, ensuring that genuine holders are not unfairly disenfranchised.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The deactivation of Aadhaar numbers of deceased individuals represents a significant and necessary step in strengthening citizens’ data security and protecting public welfare systems. In an era where digital identity is central to accessing essential services, it is critical that identity systems like Aadhaar remain accurate, up‑to‑date and resilient against fraud. The government’s mixed approach combining technological safeguards with streamlined digital reporting tools shows promise in balancing data integrity and user convenience.
However, the success of these initiatives depends not only on technological roll‑outs but also on public awareness and ease of access. For many families, especially in marginalised communities or rural areas, navigating digital portals and authentication procedures during times of grief can be challenging. This underscores the importance of complementary outreach efforts, including community education, helplines and support at local Aadhaar centres.
