New Delhi, July 17 — The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has initiated a major step to curb the misuse of Aadhaar numbers by deactivating the identities of deceased individuals. This move aims to safeguard the integrity of the 12-digit Aadhaar number assigned to every Indian citizen and prevent any potential fraudulent use after a person's death.

To streamline this process, UIDAI launched a new service on June 9, 2025, via the 'My Aadhaar' portal titled "Report Death of a Family Member." Through this feature, family members can voluntarily report the death of a relative and request deactivation of the deceased’s Aadhaar number. Applicants are required to verify their own identity and submit essential documents such as the deceased's Aadhaar number, death certificate details, and other relevant information.

As per agency report, the service is currently operational in 24 states and union territories, with plans to roll it out across the remaining regions soon. To support this initiative, UIDAI had earlier requested the Office of the Registrar General of India (RGI) to share death records linked to Aadhaar numbers. In response, the RGI has provided nearly 15.5 million death records collected through the Civil Registration System (CRS) from these 24 states and union territories.

Following due verification, approximately 11.7 million Aadhaar numbers have already been deactivated. A similar process is underway in non-CRS states and union territories, where around 670,000 death records have been received and are currently under review.

To further strengthen the verification process, UIDAI is also collaborating with state governments. As part of a pilot project, demographic data of Aadhaar holders aged over 100 years is being shared with respective state authorities to confirm their living status. Upon receiving verification reports, necessary action will be taken to deactivate Aadhaar numbers, if required.

UIDAI has urged citizens to report the death of any family member through the 'My Aadhaar' portal once a death certificate is issued. Timely reporting ensures that the deceased’s Aadhaar number is deactivated appropriately, preventing its potential misuse and supporting national data integrity efforts.

Lucknow, Dec 21 (IANS) The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has announced that those above 18 years and wanting Aadhaar made for the first time will now be subjected to physical verification, with the consent of the state government, a UIDAI official said.

"There will be a passport-like verification system in place for those wanting their first Aadhaar after 18 years," said an official from UIDAI.

The state government will appoint nodal officers, additional district magistrates, at the district and sub-divisional levels for this purpose, the official added.

The Aadhaar facility for such individuals will be available at selected centres, including the main post office of each district and other Aadhaar centres identified by the UIDAI.

All Aadhaar requests from this category of people will go through data quality checks and then be routed for verification through the service portal. The Sub-Divisional Magistrates will ensure verification of all requests received at the service portal, and Aadhaar will be generated within 180 days of clearance.

Deputy Director General of UIDAI, Prashant Kumar Singh, said in a press statement that the new directives will only apply to those above 18 years of age getting their Aadhaar made for the first time.

"Once their Aadhaar is made, they too can subsequently get it updated through normal processes," he added.

So far, 16.55 crore people above 18 years have obtained their Aadhaar in Uttar Pradesh. Every month, 13,246 Aadhaar nominations of those above 18 years are being processed, officials further said.

At present, Aadhaar work is being done through 14,095 Aadhaar nomination and update machines.