In a proactive move aimed at preventing identity fraud and misuse of Aadhaar numbers, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has launched a multi-pronged strategy to identify and deactivate Aadhaar numbers of deceased individuals. The initiative seeks to bolster the accuracy, reliability, and sanctity of the Aadhaar database, which remains a vital digital identity system for residents of India and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology announced on Wednesday.
Aadhaar, the 12-digit unique identification number issued by UIDAI, is permanent and never reassigned. However, if not deactivated after a person’s demise, it can be vulnerable to misuse, including fraudulent transactions, illegal claims to subsidies, and impersonation.
To address this pressing issue, UIDAI is collaborating with key stakeholders—including state governments, the Registrar General of India (RGI), banks, and Aadhaar ecosystem partners—to ensure validated and timely deactivation of Aadhaar numbers of deceased citizens.
To streamline the deactivation process, UIDAI requested the RGI to share Aadhaar-linked death data via the Civil Registration System (CRS).
“So far, the RGI has shared approximately 1.55 crore death records from 24 States and Union Territories. After due validation, UIDAI has successfully deactivated about 1.17 crore Aadhaar numbers.”
For those States and Union Territories that are not integrated with CRS, UIDAI has also received 6.7 lakh death records, with the deactivation process currently underway.
Taking a citizen-centric step, UIDAI launched a dedicated online service on June 9, 2025, enabling families to digitally report the death of a loved one:
“Reporting of Death of a Family Member”
This facility is currently available in 24 CRS-enabled States/UTs via the myAadhaar portal. Through this, a family member can report the death by entering:
The deceased’s Aadhaar number
Death Registration Number
Basic demographic details
The user must self-authenticate to initiate the process. UIDAI confirms that all submissions undergo a rigorous validation process before Aadhaar is deactivated.
Efforts are ongoing to expand this functionality to non-CRS states and UTs.
UIDAI is also exploring the possibility of acquiring death-related data from banks and other Aadhaar ecosystem entities that may have access to such information. This move would add an extra layer of verification and close existing data gaps.
In a unique initiative, UIDAI has also introduced a pilot program with state governments to verify Aadhaar status for individuals aged over 100 years.
“The demographic details of these individuals are being shared with state authorities to confirm whether they are alive. Based on the feedback, UIDAI will proceed with appropriate validations and deactivate the Aadhaar numbers where necessary.”
UIDAI has urged Indian citizens to take an active role in maintaining database integrity:
“UIDAI has urged citizens to report the death of any family member on the myAadhaar Portal after obtaining a valid death certificate from the registering authorities. This, the Authority states, is crucial to prevent misuse of the deceased’s Aadhaar number and to ensure the overall sanctity of the national identity database.”
UIDAI’s comprehensive efforts to deactivate Aadhaar numbers of deceased individuals mark a significant step toward enhancing digital security and preventing identity misuse. With over 1.17 crore Aadhaar numbers already deactivated and the launch of a user-friendly death reporting service on the myAadhaar portal, the Authority is actively working to preserve the integrity of India’s digital identity ecosystem.
By leveraging partnerships with state governments, RGI, banks, and other stakeholders, UIDAI is adopting a data-driven, citizen-centric approach to close critical gaps in the Aadhaar lifecycle.
As India continues to expand its digital infrastructure, public cooperation will be vital. Timely reporting of deaths by family members, especially through official digital platforms, will ensure that the Aadhaar database remains accurate, secure, and trustworthy for all users.