The Unique Identification Authority of India has undertaken a major exercise to safeguard the integrity of the Aadhaar database by deactivating Aadhaar numbers of deceased individuals after due validation, in a move aimed at curbing identity fraud and unauthorised usage.
In collaboration with the Registrar General of India, UIDAI accessed approximately 1.55 crore death records from 24 States and Union Territories using the Civil Registration System. Following comprehensive validation procedures, UIDAI successfully deactivated 1.17 crore Aadhaar numbers. In parallel, around 6.7 lakh death records from non-CRS States and UTs have also been received, with the deactivation process currently underway.
To empower citizens and promote voluntary reporting, UIDAI launched the “Reporting of Death of a Family Member” service on the myAadhaar Portal for deaths registered in CRS-enabled States and UTs. Family members can authenticate themselves and submit the deceased’s Aadhaar number, Death Registration Number and other demographic details for verification. The remaining States and UTs are being integrated into the portal in a phased manner.
UIDAI is exploring additional data partnerships with banks and Aadhaar ecosystem entities to source death records, while also working with State Governments to verify centenarian Aadhaar holders for possible deactivation. In a pilot initiative, demographic data of Aadhaar holders above 100 years has been shared with State authorities to confirm if the individuals are still alive.
To avoid misuse after death, UIDAI advises citizens to report the demise of their family members on the myAadhaar Portal after obtaining the death certificate from registering authorities. UIDAI affirmed that Aadhaar numbers are never reassigned and that the deactivation mechanism is essential for upholding the security and accuracy of India’s digital ID infrastructure.
