A nationwide database clean-up has led to the removal of millions of inactive identity records, as authorities intensify efforts to keep Aadhaar aligned with its intended use and beneficiary base. 

Scale of Deactivation and Purpose 

More than 2.5 crore Aadhaar numbers associated with deceased persons have been deactivated, the government informed the Lok Sabha.  

Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasada said the exercise is aimed at safeguarding the integrity of Aadhaar, which serves around 134 crore live holders across the country.  

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology said deactivation after death is essential to prevent identity fraud and stop “unauthorised usage of such Aadhaar number for availing welfare benefits”. 

System Challenges and Beneficiary Protection 

Authorities noted that death registrations often take place in locations different from the address recorded in Aadhaar, making coordinated verification and deactivation critical.  

The clean-up forms part of a broader effort to ensure that public subsidies and services are delivered only to eligible, living beneficiaries, while closing gaps that could otherwise be exploited through outdated records. 

Technology Safeguards and Citizen Participation 

Alongside record removal, multiple security measures are in place to protect Aadhaar data. Users can activate the biometric lock and unlock feature to block “unauthorised authentication attempts”, while face authentication systems now include a “liveness detection feature” to prevent spoofing.  

Entities seeking Aadhaar verification are required to store numbers in encrypted Aadhaar Data Vaults, and UIDAI does not share core biometric information with third parties.  

To support ongoing “database sanitization”, a new Aadhaar app allows families to securely share verified credentials and report deaths, enabling regular de-duplication and deactivation. 

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Conclusion 

With over 2.5 crore Aadhaar numbers deactivated and additional safeguards strengthened, the government continues to focus on keeping the identity system accurate, secure and aligned with its welfare delivery objectives. 

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