By Kavita Mistry 
In a significant nationwide effort to strengthen India’s digital identity ecosystem, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has deactivated more than two crore Aadhaar numbers belonging to deceased individuals. The move aims to enhance the accuracy, reliability, and integrity of the Aadhaar database—one of the world’s largest biometric identity systems.
UIDAI confirmed that Aadhaar numbers are never reassigned to another person, making deactivation essential to prevent identity theft, financial fraud, and misuse of welfare benefits.
Data Sourced from Multiple Government Agencies
To identify deceased individuals, UIDAI collected verified data from the Registrar General of India, state governments, Union Territories, and several central agencies including:
- Public Distribution System (PDS)
- National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)
- Social security and welfare databases
The authority is also planning to collaborate with banks, financial institutions, and other agencies to further streamline and expand the verified dataset.
New Online Facility Allows Families to Report Deaths
Earlier this year, UIDAI introduced a dedicated feature on the myAadhaar portal that allows family members to report a loved one’s death online. This service is currently active in 25 states and Union Territories that are integrated with the Civil Registration System, with efforts underway to include more regions.
How the Process Works
To report a death:
- A family member must authenticate themselves on the myAadhaar portal.
- They must provide the deceased person’s Aadhaar number.
- Input the official Death Registration Number and relevant demographic details.
- UIDAI validates the information using government records.
- Upon verification, the Aadhaar number is deactivated.
UIDAI has urged citizens to use this facility as soon as the official death certificate is issued by the competent authority.
Why Deactivation Matters
Deactivating Aadhaar numbers of deceased individuals is crucial to:
- Prevent fraudulent withdrawals or welfare claims
- Avoid misuse of identity for SIM cards or banking
- Maintain the accuracy of national databases
- Strengthen trust in Aadhaar-linked services
The large-scale clean-up reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring secure and transparent digital governance.