Lost a loved one? Aadhaar can now be deactivated online to prevent identity misuse
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has launched a new feature on the myAadhaar portal, allowing family members to report the death of a loved one and request deactivation of their Aadhaar number. This initiative aims to maintain the accuracy of official records and reduce the risk of identity misuse.
Why is this important?
Aadhaar is linked to almost every aspect of daily life in India—from bank accounts and SIM cards to healthcare services and government schemes. Maintaining its accuracy is essential.
With the new death-reporting feature and the upcoming e-Aadhaar app, UIDAI is addressing two critical issues: reducing misuse and improving accessibility.
In many instances, the Aadhaar numbers of deceased individuals remain active. This can cause confusion during official processes and may even lead to fraudulent use. With this update, families now have a straightforward, digital method to ensure that a deceased person’s Aadhaar number is properly deactivated.
How to report a death via the myAadhaar portal
The process is designed to be simple and user-friendly. Here’s how it works:
- Visit the myAadhaar portal and log in using your credentials.
- Select the option ‘Report Death of a Family Member’.
- Enter the required details of the deceased individual.
- Upload supporting documents, such as the death certificate, if requested.
- Submit the request for deactivation.
Once the information has been verified, the Aadhaar number will be marked as “deactivated”, ensuring it can no longer be used for any transactions or services.
What are the key benefits?
This new service provides multiple advantages:
- Reduces paperwork and official stress during an already difficult time.
- Prevents fraudulent use of Aadhaar details after a person’s death.
- Helps maintain clean and accurate government records, strengthening the reliability of digital databases.
- By enabling online reporting and eliminating the need to visit an Aadhaar centre, UIDAI is streamlining the process and making it more accessible.
Coming soon: e-Aadhaar app
UIDAI is also preparing to launch a new mobile application called e-Aadhaar, expected by the end of this year. The app is set to offer a comprehensive platform for managing Aadhaar details—without the need for paperwork or long queues.
Key features of the e-Aadhaar app will include:
- Updating personal information such as name, address, date of birth, or mobile number directly via smartphone.
- Use of Artificial Intelligence and Face ID to ensure a faster and more secure experience.
Most updates will no longer require a visit to an enrolment centre, except for biometric changes (such as fingerprints or iris scans), which will still need to be done in person. This regulation is set to come into effect from November 2025.