**Executive Summary**
This document announces the deactivation of over 2.5 crore Aadhaar numbers belonging to deceased individuals by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). This effort is part of a nationwide cleanup to maintain the accuracy and integrity of the Aadhaar database and prevent identity fraud. The information was submitted on February 4, 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Aadhaar Deactivation:**
* UIDAI has deactivated over 2.5 crore Aadhaar numbers of deceased persons.
* Deactivation prevents identity fraud and unauthorized use of Aadhaar for welfare benefits.
* State/UT mentioned in the address may vary from where the death was registered.
* **Measures to Prevent Identity Fraud:**
* **Biometric Lock/Unlock:** Aadhaar holders can lock their biometrics.
* **Aadhaar Lock/Unlock:** Aadhaar holders can lock their Aadhaar numbers.
* **Face Authentication:** Deployment of Face Authentication with "Liveness Detection" to prevent spoofing.
* **Offline Verification:** Promotion of Aadhaar Secure QR Code, Aadhaar paperless offline e-KYC, e-Aadhaar, and Aadhaar verifiable credentials.
* **Core Biometric Data:** No sharing of core biometric information by UIDAI.
* **Secure Data Storage:** Mandatory use of Aadhaar Data Vaults to store Aadhaar numbers in encrypted format.
* **Database Sanitization:** Regular de-duplication and deactivation of Aadhaar numbers of deceased persons.
* **Demographic Updates:** Updates to demographic details are allowed only as per documents listed by UIDAI.
* **Aadhaar App:** UIDAI launched a new Aadhaar app for secure sharing of verified credentials with Offline Verification Seeking Entities (OVSE).
**Impact Analysis**
**UIDAI**
* **Impact:** Responsible for implementing and maintaining the accuracy of the Aadhaar database.
* **Action Required:** Continue deactivation efforts and implement fraud prevention measures.
**Aadhaar Holders/Beneficiaries**
* **Impact:** Affected by measures designed to protect their identity and prevent misuse of the Aadhaar system.
* **Action Required:** Utilize features like biometric lock/unlock, and the Aadhaar App for secure credential sharing.
**Requesting Entities**
* **Impact:** Must adhere to secure data storage guidelines, including using Aadhaar Data Vaults.
* **Action Required:** Implement Aadhaar Data Vaults and store Aadhaar numbers in an encrypted format.
**Offline Verification Seeking Entities (OVSE)**
* **Impact:** Can now securely verify credentials of the Aadhaar number holder in a secure and seamless manner.
* **Action Required:** To use the Aadhaar app to facilitate the secure sharing of verified credentials with Aadhaar number holders.
Key Entities Referenced
Aadhaar: A 12-digit individual identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).
Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI): The statutory authority responsible for issuing Aadhaar numbers and managing the Aadhaar database.
Ministry of Electronics & IT: The Union Ministry responsible for policy matters relating to Information Technology.
Ministry of Electronics & IT
Over 2.5 Crore Aadhaar Numbers of Deceased
Persons Deactivated to Prevent Identity Fraud
Posted On: 04 FEB 2026 2:38PM by PIB Delhi
Aadhaar is the world's largest biometric identity system with approximately 134 crores live Aadhaar
holders.
Deactivation of the Aadhaar number of deceased
As part of a nationwide clean-up effort to maintain the continued accuracy and integrity of the Aadhaar
database, Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has deactivated more than 2.5 crore Aadhaar
numbers of deceased persons till date.
In case of the death of a person, it is essential that his/her Aadhaar number is deactivated to prevent
potential identity fraud, or unauthorized usage of such Aadhaar number for availing welfare benefits.
The State / UT mentioned in the address of an Aadhaar number holder in the Aadhaar database may vary
from the State / UT where death was registered.
Measures to prevent potential identity fraud
Several measures have been taken to reduce the risk of identity fraud and ensure leak-proof delivery of
benefits in the country. The key measures include:
i. Biometric Lock/Unlock feature enables an Aadhaar number holder to "Lock" his biometrics,
preventing any unauthorized authentication attempts.
ii. Aadhaar Lock/Unlock feature for an Aadhaar number holder.
iii. Deployment of Face Authentication having ‘Liveness Detection feature’ to prevent spoofing
and ensure the physical presence of the beneficiary during transactions.
iv. Offline Verification: Promotion of Aadhaar Secure QR Code, Aadhaar paperless offline e-
KYC, e-Aadhaar and Aadhaar verifiable credentials for offline identity verification.
v. No sharing of Core Biometric information of Aadhaar number holders in any manner by
UIDAI.
vi. Secure Data Storage: Mandatory use of Aadhaar Data Vaults by all requesting entities to
store Aadhaar numbers in an encrypted format.
vii. Database Sanitization: Regular de-duplication and deactivation of Aadhaar numbers
belonging to deceased persons.
viii. Updation of demographic details of an Aadhaar number holder is allowed only as per
documents listed by UIDAI.ix. UIDAI has launched a new Aadhaar app which facilitates sharing of verified credentials by
Aadhaar number holder with the Offline Verification Seeking Entities (OVSE) in a secure and
seamless manner.
This information was submitted by Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology
Shri Jitin Prasada in Lok Sabha on 04.02.2026
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