New Delhi- The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has deactivated more than 2 crore Aadhaar numbers belonging to deceased individuals as part of a nationwide initiative to keep its database accurate and fraud-free, the Ministry of Electronics & IT said on Wednesday.
According to the authority, this large-scale clean-up is essential to prevent identity fraud and ensure that Aadhaar numbers of deceased persons are not misused for welfare schemes or financial benefits.
To identify deceased individuals, UIDAI has collected data from various sources, including the Registrar General of India (RGI), state governments, Union Territories, the Public Distribution System, and the National Social Assistance Programme. The authority also plans to collaborate with banks and other financial institutions to gather similar data in the future.
UIDAI clarified that Aadhaar numbers are never reassigned. Once a person dies, their Aadhaar must be deactivated to avoid unlawful use.
Earlier this year, UIDAI introduced a feature called “Reporting of death of a family member” on the myAadhaar portal. The service, currently available in 25 states and Union Territories using the Civil Registration System, is expected to be expanded to the remaining regions soon.
To report a death, a family member must authenticate themselves on the portal and provide the Aadhaar number, Death Registration Number, and other required details of the deceased. UIDAI reviews the information and, after verification, deactivates the Aadhaar number.
The authority has urged citizens to report family members’ deaths on the myAadhaar portal after obtaining the official death certificate, to help maintain an accurate and secure Aadhaar database nationwide.
With inputs from IANS