N※N

UIDAI Deactivates Over 2 Crore Aadhaar Numbers of the Deceased

80

  //business-finance.news-articles.net/content/202 .. ver-2-crore-aadhaar-numbers-of-the-deceased.html
  Published in Business and Finance on Wednesday, November 26th 2025 at 7:45 GMT by Zee Business

• 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
• 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source

2025-11-26 179 x 224 / 8932 Bytes

2025-11-26 179 x 224 / 8434 Bytes

2025-11-26 179 x 224 / 8959 Bytes

2025-11-26 179 x 224 / 14915 Bytes

UIDAI Deactivates Over 2 Crore Aadhaar Numbers of the Deceased and Launches Online Death‑Reporting Portal

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), the agency that issues the Aadhaar biometric identity cards, has taken a decisive step to safeguard the privacy of the nation’s deceased citizens. In a move that has already impacted more than two crore (20 million) Aadhaar accounts, UIDAI announced that it has deactivated the Aadhaar numbers of all deceased persons whose records it has identified, and has opened a fully online portal that allows families to report a death and trigger the deactivation process. The dual initiative – deactivation and online reporting – comes at a time when data privacy concerns are mounting and the government is keen to curb any potential misuse of personal data.

Why Deactivation Matters

Aadhaar is the world’s largest biometric ID system. While it offers convenience for accessing services ranging from banking to government subsidies, it also presents a risk when the identity of a deceased person remains active. An inactive Aadhaar can still be used for fraudulent activities, such as opening bank accounts, availing subsidies, or even forging documents. By deactivating the accounts, UIDAI is ensuring that the digital footprints of the dead are no longer exploitable.

The decision follows a series of policy consultations and a review of existing data protection norms, including the Personal Data Protection Bill that is under consideration. It also aligns with the “Right to be Forgotten” principle that has been enshrined in Indian courts in recent years.

The Scale of Deactivation

According to UIDAI’s own press release, the agency has deactivated more than 2 crore Aadhaar accounts as of the latest update. While UIDAI does not publish a daily deactivation tally, it stated that the figure represents all deceased persons whose death certificates have been registered in the system and whose biometric data has been flagged as inactive.

The number is significant when you consider that India’s population exceeds 1.4 billion. Even a modest percentage of deceased persons in the database translates into millions of records. By turning off these accounts, UIDAI is closing a major data‑privacy loophole that could otherwise be exploited by cyber‑criminals.

Online Reporting: How It Works

To make it easier for families to report a death, UIDAI has set up a dedicated portal at [ https://uidai.gov.in ] – a link that was featured in the original Zeebiz article. The portal is user‑friendly and is accessible from both desktop and mobile devices.

Step‑by‑Step Guide

1. Log In
   Families must log in using the UIDAI credentials. If the deceased had a registered Aadhaar PIN, it can be used. For those without a PIN, a “Forgot PIN” option is available, which requires the user to answer security questions and provide the last four digits of the Aadhaar.

2. Choose “Report a Death”
   Once logged in, the user selects the “Report a Death” option from the dashboard. This option opens a form that asks for basic information such as the deceased’s name, Aadhaar number, date of birth, and date of death.

3. Upload Documents
   The user must upload a certified copy of the death certificate. UIDAI accepts scanned PDFs and JPG/PNG images. The portal also allows uploading a government‑issued ID (like a PAN card) of the reporting family member as proof of relationship.

4. Verification
   UIDAI’s automated system checks the validity of the death certificate against the national database. If the certificate is valid, the portal sends a confirmation email to the reporting family and a brief SMS to the registered mobile number.

5. Deactivation
   Upon successful verification, the Aadhaar number of the deceased is automatically deactivated. The portal displays a “Deactivation Confirmation” page with a unique reference number that can be kept for future reference.

What Happens After Deactivation?

• Service Providers: Banks, telecom operators, and other service providers that rely on Aadhaar for verification will automatically block access to the deactivated account.
• Pensioners: If the deceased was a pensioner, the pension will be stopped automatically, preventing any potential fraud.
• Social Benefits: Benefits such as LPG subsidies or health insurance tied to Aadhaar will cease after deactivation.

Impact on Families and Government Agencies

The online reporting portal not only streamlines the deactivation process but also reduces the administrative burden on families. In the past, reporting a death meant visiting the nearest UIDAI office or submitting a physical copy of the death certificate to various banks and government departments. Now, all of that can be done in a single click.

Government agencies that receive Aadhaar‑linked data can now rely on a more accurate and up‑to‑date dataset, thereby improving the delivery of welfare schemes. For instance, a citizen who dies while receiving an annual ration card can now have that benefit terminated automatically, preventing any misuse.

Future Plans

UIDAI’s press release hinted at further enhancements. Among the announced future plans are:

• Real‑time Deactivation: Integrating death certificates issued by hospitals and civil registration offices with the UIDAI database for instant deactivation.
• API for Service Providers: A secured API that allows banks and telecom operators to check the status of an Aadhaar in real time.
• Enhanced Data Privacy: Strengthening encryption for biometric data and implementing stricter access controls.

These initiatives are expected to be rolled out over the next 12 to 18 months, as UIDAI continues to refine its data‑privacy framework.

Critiques and Concerns

While the move has been praised by privacy advocates, some concerns remain. One of the primary issues is the speed of verification. A few families have reported delays in the upload of documents or have had to resubmit certificates that were initially rejected due to formatting errors. Additionally, the reliance on a single online portal raises questions about accessibility for rural families who may not have reliable internet connectivity.

The UIDAI has stated that it will address these concerns by expanding its customer support and improving the user interface for easier document uploads. Nonetheless, the agency acknowledges that some manual checks may still be required in complex cases.

Conclusion

UIDAI’s decision to deactivate over 2 crore Aadhaar numbers of deceased persons and to launch an online death‑reporting portal is a significant milestone in India’s data‑privacy landscape. It not only protects the identities of the dead but also streamlines the administrative process for families and government agencies. As the system evolves, UIDAI’s focus on privacy, user experience, and inter‑agency coordination will determine the long‑term success of this initiative. For now, the agency’s move signals a stronger commitment to protecting citizens’ data and upholding the principles of the Right to be Forgotten in the digital age.