Lok Sabha Question No. 800 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: Deactivation of Aadhaar Cards
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Dr. Raj Kumar Chabbewal

## 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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