Over 2.5 Crore Aadhaar Numbers Deactivated After Deaths To Prevent Identity Fraud, Government Tells Lok Sabha

The Union government has informed Parliament that more than 2.5 crore Aadhaar numbers belonging to deceased individuals have been deactivated as part of a nationwide effort to keep the Aadhaar database accurate and secure.

The information was shared by Jitin Prasada in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
The move, the minister said, is aimed at preventing identity fraud and stopping the misuse of Aadhaar-linked welfare benefits.

Aadhaar the World's Largest Biometric ID System

In his reply, Jitin Prasada said Aadhaar remains the world's largest biometric identity system, with around 134 crore active Aadhaar holders across the country. Managed by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), the system plays a critical role in delivering government services and benefits to millions of citizens.

Given the scale of Aadhaar usage, maintaining the accuracy of the database has become a key priority for the government. Deactivating Aadhaar numbers of deceased persons, Prasada said, is an essential step in that direction.

Why Aadhaar Deactivation After Death Is Important

The minister explained that once a person dies, their Aadhaar number must be deactivated to prevent potential identity fraud. If left active, Aadhaar details could be misused for unauthorised transactions or to wrongly claim government welfare benefits.
"Aadhaar deactivation after death helps ensure that benefits reach only genuine and eligible beneficiaries," Prasada noted, adding that the clean-up drive is part of a continuous process rather than a one-time exercise.

According to the government, information about deaths is collected through multiple sources, including family members, registrars of births and deaths, and state authorities, and is then verified before deactivation.

Steps Taken to Prevent Identity Fraud

Apart from deactivating Aadhaar numbers of deceased individuals, the government has introduced several safeguards to reduce the risk of identity misuse.

One such measure is the biometric lock and unlock feature. This allows Aadhaar holders to lock their fingerprints and iris data, ensuring that no authentication can take place without their consent. If required, users can temporarily unlock their biometrics for a specific transaction and lock them again later.

This feature, the minister said, gives individuals greater control over how their Aadhaar data is used.

Face Authentication and Liveness Detection

To further strengthen security, UIDAI has deployed Face Authentication with a "liveness detection" feature. This system ensures that a real person is physically present during authentication and helps prevent spoofing attempts using photographs, videos, or masks.

The government believes this added layer of security is especially useful in welfare schemes and service delivery, where impersonation can lead to financial losses and exclusion of rightful beneficiaries.

Offline and Paperless Verification Options

Jitin Prasada also highlighted efforts to reduce dependence on online Aadhaar authentication. UIDAI has promoted tools such as Aadhaar Secure QR Code, paperless offline e-KYC, e-Aadhaar, and Aadhaar verifiable credentials.

These options allow identity verification without sharing Aadhaar numbers or biometrics and can be used even in areas with limited internet connectivity. According to the minister, this not only improves privacy but also makes Aadhaar-based verification more flexible and secure.

Balancing Scale, Security, and Trust

With Aadhaar linked to a wide range of services-from subsidies and pensions to banking and mobile connections-the government faces the challenge of balancing scale with security. The deactivation of over 2.5 crore Aadhaar numbers, along with new authentication safeguards, reflects an effort to strengthen trust in the system.

Officials say the clean-up drive will continue, with UIDAI regularly updating records to ensure Aadhaar remains accurate, secure, and fit for purpose in a country of more than a billion people.