UIDAI deactivates over 2 crore Aadhaars of deceased individuals as part of clean-up drive

UIDAI has sourced deceased persons’ data from Registrar General of India, States and Union Territories and Public Distribution System among others.

New Delhi: The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has deactivated more than 2 crore Aadhaar numbers of deceased individuals from its system.

UIDAI has sourced deceased persons’ data from the Registrar General of India (RGI), States and Union Territories, Public Distribution System, national social assistance program, among others, the Authority said in a statement, which was posted on its X handle.

"The UIDAI has deactivated more than 2 crore Aadhaar numbers of deceased individuals as part of a nationwide clean-up effort to maintain the continued accuracy of the Aadhaar database. It was looking to collaborate with financial institutions and other such entities for getting deceased persons data," the statement said.

"UIDAI is encouraging Aadhaar number holders to report the death of their family members on myAadhaar Portal after obtaining their death certificate from the death registering authorities," the statement added.

No Aadhaar number is ever re-assigned to another individual.

However, in case of the death of a person, it is essential that the Aadhaar number of the deceased is deactivated to prevent potential identity fraud, or unauthorised usage of such Aadhaar number for availing welfare benefits.

UIDAI has also launched a facility earlier this year - Reporting of death of a family member - on the myAadhaar Portal for deaths registered in 25 states and UTs presently using civil registration system.

"The process of integration for remaining States and UTs with the portal is currently underway. The family member, after authenticating himself/herself, is required to provide an Aadhaar number and Death Registration Number along with other demographic details of the deceased person on the portal," the statement said.

UIDAI initiates action to deactivate the Aadhaar number of the deceased person after due process of validation of the information submitted by the family member, the statement said.