Aadhaar Deactivation: Big Step on Aadhaar Cards! UIDAI Deactivates Over 2 Crore Numbers, Know Details
Aadhaar Deactivation: The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has taken a massive step towards maintaining the integrity of the national identity database. In one of the largest clean-up exercises to date, the authority has deactivated more than two crore Aadhaar numbers belonging to deceased individuals. According to a press release by the Ministry of Electronics & IT, this stringent measure aims to keep Aadhaar records accurate and prevent the misuse of identity for fraudulent activities.
Why is Aadhaar Deactivation Necessary?
UIDAI has emphasized that an Aadhaar number serves as a unique proof of identity for a person during their lifetime and is never transferable to another individual. If the Aadhaar number of a deceased person remains active, there is a significant risk of it being used to commit fraud or wrongfully claim welfare benefits meant for living citizens. Deactivating these numbers is a crucial step to plug these loopholes.
Officials explained that deactivation after death is necessary to stop the wrongful use of government subsidies and services that require Aadhaar authentication, ensuring that resources reach only the intended beneficiaries.
Sources of Data and Verification
To execute this massive task, UIDAI has collaborated with various government bodies. Information regarding deceased persons was sourced from the Registrar General of India, state governments, and Union Territories. The key sources of data are outlined below:
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Join on Telegram| Data Source | Description |
|---|---|
| Registrar General of India | Official records of births and deaths. |
| State & UT Governments | Local administration death registries. |
| Public Distribution System (PDS) | Data from the ration distribution network. |
| National Social Assistance Program | Database of pensions and social allowances. |
UIDAI also plans to work with banks and other institutions in the future to share verified death data, creating a robust mechanism to prevent financial fraud associated with deceased accounts.
New Online Facility for Family Members
To simplify the process for grieving families, the authority introduced a new online service earlier this year. The “Reporting of death of a family member” feature is now active on the myAadhaar portal. Currently, this facility is available for 25 states and Union Territories that utilize the Civil Registration System (CRS). UIDAI has noted that the remaining states and UTs will soon be integrated into this system.
How to Report a Death?
Family members can follow this simple process to report the death of a relative and initiate the deactivation of their Aadhaar:
- A family member must log in to the myAadhaar portal and verify their own identity.
- Once logged in, they need to enter the deceased individual’s Aadhaar number, Death Registration Number, and other basic required details.
- UIDAI will then verify the submitted information against official records.
- Upon successful verification, the action for deactivation will be taken.
The authority is urging Aadhaar holders across the country to responsibly report the deaths of their family members on the myAadhaar portal as soon as they receive the death certificate. Timely reporting helps the government in preventing the misuse of subsidies and maintains the sanctity of the national database.
