In an unprecedented move, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has deactivated over 2 crore Aadhaar numbers belonging to deceased individuals.
This is officially India’s biggest identity cleanup and one of the largest digital database purges in the world, aimed at curbing:
- Identity fraud
- Ghost beneficiaries
- Fake pension withdrawals
- Illegal ration claims
- Subsidy scams causing heavy losses to the government
UIDAI said the cleanup strengthens the integrity of the Aadhaar database, which now has 1.38+ billion active users.
How UIDAI Identified and Verified Ghost Aadhaar Numbers
UIDAI carried out a proactive, multi-database verification process instead of waiting for families to report deaths.
Key datasets used:
- Registrar General of India (RGI) – Death Registry
- Civil Registration Systems (CRS) of States/UTs
- Public Distribution System (PDS) records
- National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) pension data
- Inputs from central ministries and welfare departments
Each Aadhaar number was verified thoroughly. UIDAI confirmed that any wrongly flagged cases can be reactivated with valid proof and biometric verification.
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Once Deactivated, Aadhaar Is Retired Forever
UIDAI clarified that a deactivated Aadhaar number:
- Can never be re-issued
- Cannot be recycled for someone else
- Cannot be used for loans, bank accounts, pensions or subsidies
This prevents fraudsters from misusing Aadhaar belonging to deceased citizens.
Massive Scaling Since 2024: Target Achieved Ahead of Time
UIDAI’s ghost Aadhaar cleanup expanded rapidly over the past two years:
- 1.17 crore deactivated by July 2025
- 1.4 crore by September 2025
- 2 crore milestone achieved by late November 2025
The next phase will bring automated integrations with:
- Banks
- Insurance companies
- Mutual funds
- Financial regulatory bodies
This will allow real-time death verification across financial systems.
New Online Tool for Families: 5-Minute Death Reporting
To help families report deaths easily, UIDAI introduced a simple online feature in June 2025.
myAadhaar Portal Death Reporting
Available in 25 CRS-linked States and expanding to all by March 2026.
Steps:
- Visit myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in
- Select “Report Death of Family Member”
- Enter Aadhaar and Death Registration Number
- Authenticate with your Aadhaar OTP
- Submit for verification
UIDAI strongly advises families to report deaths immediately to prevent misuse.
Why This Cleanup Matters for India
The deactivation of ghost Aadhaar numbers will help stop:
- Fake pension withdrawals
- Duplicate ration cards
- Misuse of DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) schemes
- Identity theft using inactive Aadhaar numbers
With 99% of welfare benefits linked to Aadhaar, a clean and updated database is crucial.
Lesser-Known Insights and Public Reactions
Social Media Trends
- Hashtags #GhostAadhaar and #AadhaarCleanup trended on X/Twitter.
- Many users shared stories of fraud attempts after a family member’s death.
- Some posts raised concerns about rural awareness gaps.
Fraud Cases Highlighting the Problem
- A major gang busted in April 2025 used cloned biometrics and fake portals to tamper with 1,500+ Aadhaars across 12 states.
- Several “ghost beneficiaries” were claiming pensions for decades without detection.
Tech Insights
- UIDAI’s integration with RGI and PDS now enables real-time cross-checking in 15 states.
- Banks are expected to join the system after compliance processes.
Public Concerns
- Rural elders struggle with portal usage.
- Citizens demand expanded toll-free support and CSC/MeeSeva assistance.
The deactivation of 2 crore ghost Aadhaar numbers marks a historic moment in India’s digital governance journey.
UIDAI’s massive clean-up drive strengthens welfare delivery systems, blocks identity fraud, and ensures public money reaches genuine beneficiaries.
With stronger automation, better reporting tools, and upcoming integrations, the Aadhaar ecosystem is set to become even more secure — making this the largest and most impactful identity cleanup India has ever seen.