Major Clean-Up of Aadhaar Database
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has taken a significant step toward strengthening the nation's identity system by deactivating more than two crore Aadhaar numbers belonging to deceased individuals. This nationwide clean-up drive aims to enhance the accuracy and reliability of the Aadhaar database, which serves as the foundation for numerous government and private services across India.
Preventing Identity Fraud and Misuse
According to officials, this extensive exercise is primarily designed to prevent identity fraud and ensure that government benefits linked to Aadhaar reach only eligible beneficiaries. The deactivation of these 2 crore Aadhaar numbers helps eliminate potential misuse scenarios such as unauthorized withdrawals from bank accounts, fraudulent benefit claims, and identity impersonation.
An official emphasized that Aadhaar numbers are never reassigned to new individuals, even after the original holder's death. This policy makes timely deactivation crucial for maintaining the integrity of the system and preventing any potential exploitation of dormant Aadhaar numbers.
Multi-Source Data Integration for Accuracy
The deactivation process relies on comprehensive data sourced from multiple official channels to ensure accuracy. UIDAI draws information from:
- The Registrar General of India (RGI)
- State and Union Territory administrations
- Public distribution system records
- National Social Assistance Programme data
- Other departments maintaining death-registration records
This multi-source approach helps create a robust verification system that minimizes errors while maximizing coverage. Ensuring the database remains current is essential for the integrity of Aadhaar-linked services, explained an official involved in the process.
Digital Facility for Families
To make the process more convenient for families dealing with the loss of a loved one, UIDAI launched a digital facility on the myAadhaar portal earlier this year. This online service allows relatives to report the death of an Aadhaar holder and initiate the deactivation process without unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles.
The authority continues to encourage citizens to use this digital platform to help maintain the accuracy of the Aadhaar ecosystem. This proactive approach by UIDAI represents a significant advancement in safeguarding India's digital identity infrastructure against potential misuse while ensuring that welfare benefits reach their intended recipients.
