The UIDAI has deactivated more than 2 crore Aadhaar numbers belonging to deceased individuals as part of a nationwide clean-up initiative.

Why It Was Done

• The move aims to maintain the integrity and accuracy of the Aadhaar database, preventing risks of identity misuse, fraud, and wrongful access to benefits.

• UIDAI sourced death-related records from multiple official channels including the Registrar General of India (RGI), state/UT governments, welfare programme databases, and public-distribution systems.

• Once an Aadhaar number is deactivated due to death, it is never reassigned to another individual.

How Families Can Report a Death

Earlier in 2025, UIDAI introduced a facility on the myAadhaar portal allowing family members to report the death of a relative. The portal currently processes deaths registered in 25 states/UTs under the Civil Registration System, with integration for other regions ongoing.

To submit a request, a family member must:

• Authenticate themselves on the portal

• Provide the deceased’s Aadhaar number and official death-registration number

• Supply required demographic details

After verification, UIDAI deactivates the Aadhaar number. Legal heirs can later use the portal to check the status of a deactivated Aadhaar if needed.

Importance of This Clean-Up

• It reduces the risk of identity fraud and misuse of Aadhaar-linked services meant for living individuals.

• Ensures that welfare schemes, banking, or any Aadhaar-authentication system remain secure and only accessible to rightful, living beneficiaries.

• Helps maintain the credibility and reliability of the Aadhaar ecosystem as a trusted digital identity infrastructure.