**Executive Summary**
This document is a response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 800 regarding the deactivation of Aadhaar cards. The report details the deactivation of Aadhaar numbers of deceased individuals by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and the measures taken to prevent identity fraud and misuse of Aadhaar-linked benefits. The response was provided on 04.02.2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Deactivation of Aadhaar Numbers of Deceased:**
* UIDAI has deactivated over 2.5 crore Aadhaar numbers of deceased persons to maintain database integrity.
* Deactivation prevents potential identity fraud and unauthorized use of Aadhaar numbers for welfare benefits.
* The State/UT mentioned in the address of the Aadhaar number holder may vary from the State/UT where death was registered.
* **Measures to Prevent Potential Identity Fraud:**
* **Biometric Lock/Unlock:** Aadhaar holders can lock their biometrics to prevent unauthorized authentication attempts.
* **Aadhaar Lock/Unlock:** Aadhaar numbers can be locked/unlocked.
* **Face Authentication with Liveness Detection:** Deployed to prevent spoofing and ensure physical presence during transactions.
* **Offline Verification:** Promotion of Aadhaar Secure QR Code, Aadhaar paperless offline e-KYC, e-Aadhaar, and Aadhaar verifiable credentials for offline identity verification.
* **No Sharing of Core Biometric Information:** UIDAI does not share core biometric information.
* **Secure Data Storage:** Mandatory use of Aadhaar Data Vaults for encrypted storage of Aadhaar numbers.
* **Database Sanitization:** Regular de-duplication and deactivation of Aadhaar numbers of deceased persons.
* **Updation of demographic details:** Update only as per documents listed by UIDAI.
* **New Aadhaar App:** Facilitates secure sharing of verified credentials with Offline Verification Seeking Entities (OVSE).
**Impact Analysis**
**Aadhaar Holders**
* **Impact:** Aadhaar holders are impacted as these measures directly affect the security and privacy of their Aadhaar information and its use in various transactions.
* **Action Required:** Aadhaar holders can use the biometric lock/unlock feature for added security and utilize the new Aadhaar app for secure sharing of credentials.
**Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI)**
* **Impact:** UIDAI is responsible for implementing and maintaining the integrity of the Aadhaar system.
* **Action Required:** UIDAI must continue to enforce data security measures, regularly sanitize the database, and promote the use of secure verification methods.
**Offline Verification Seeking Entities (OVSE)**
* **Impact:** OVSEs are impacted as they are required to use secure methods for storing and verifying Aadhaar numbers.
* **Action Required:** OVSEs should integrate with the new Aadhaar app for secure sharing of credentials and must use Aadhaar Data Vaults for storing Aadhaar numbers in an encrypted format.
**Beneficiaries of Aadhaar-linked Welfare Schemes**
* **Impact:** Beneficiaries are impacted by the effort to ensure accurate disbursement of welfare benefits.
* **Action Required:** Beneficiaries are required to use Face Authentication with Liveness Detection.
Key Entities Referenced
Aadhaar: A 12-digit individual identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India.
Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI): The statutory authority responsible for issuing Aadhaar numbers and managing the Aadhaar database.
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology: The government ministry responsible for matters related to electronics and information technology, including Aadhaar.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 800
TO BE ANSWERED ON: 04.02.2026
DEACTIVATION OF AADHAAR CARDS
800. DR. RAJ KUMAR CHABBEWAL:
Will the Minister of ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the total number of aadhaar numbers of deceased people deactivated by the Government during the
last three years, State/UT-wise especially in the State of Punjab;
(b) the key objectives and achievements by the deactivation of the aadhaar number of these deceased people in the
country;
(c) whether the Government is taking any other measures to reduce the risk of identity fraud and prevent the wrongful
use of Aadhaar linked benefits in the country; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI JITIN PRASADA)
(a) to (d): 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.
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