The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has deactivated more than two crore Aadhaar numbers belonging to deceased individuals as part of a nationwide exercise to improve the accuracy and integrity of the Aadhaar database.
According to UIDAI, the data of deceased individuals was sourced from the Registrar General of India, state governments, Union Territories, and multiple central government departments, including the Public Distribution System and the National Social Assistance Programme. The authority is also planning to collaborate with financial institutions and other agencies to obtain additional verified data on deceased persons.
UIDAI clarified that an Aadhaar number is never reassigned to another person. However, deactivation after death is necessary to prevent identity fraud and unauthorised use of Aadhaar to claim welfare benefits.
Earlier this year, UIDAI launched an online facility on the myAadhaar portal that allows family members to report the death of a relative. The service is currently available in 25 states and Union Territories integrated with the Civil Registration System, with work ongoing to include the remaining regions.
To report a death, a family member must authenticate themselves on the portal and submit the deceased person’s Aadhaar number, Death Registration Number, and other demographic details. UIDAI processes the request after validating the information and then decides on deactivation.
The authority has urged citizens to report the deaths of family members on the portal once the official death certificate is issued by the relevant registration authority.