NEW DELHI — In order to safeguard its massive digital identification system, Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is accelerating the deactivation of Aadhaar numbers belonging to deceased individuals. This measure comes as concerns mount over the potential for these “ghost” identities to be exploited for various illicit purposes, ranging from fraudulent benefit claims to financial scams.
The Growing Threat of Misused Identities
The 12-digit Aadhaar number, a cornerstone of India’s digital infrastructure, serves as proof of identity for accessing everything from welfare benefits and pensions to opening bank accounts and obtaining mobile connections. However, the continued activation of Aadhaar numbers post-mortem has created a vulnerability. Reports of deceased individuals’ identities being used to fraudulently claim government subsidies, open fake accounts, or engage in money laundering have highlighted an urgent need for a more dynamic and responsive system. Ensuring that these unique identifiers are promptly retired upon a person’s demise is now a key focus for national security and economic stability.
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A Multi-pronged Approach to Deactivation
To tackle this challenge, UIDAI has rolled out a comprehensive strategy. Central to this is a new “Reporting of Death of a Family Member” feature on the myAadhaar Portal, launched recently. This digital service empowers relatives to report a death by providing the deceased’s Aadhaar and death registration number, among other details. Currently operational in 24 states and Union Territories integrated with the Civil Registration System, plans are underway to extend this to the entire nation. Beyond citizen reporting, UIDAI is proactively collaborating with the Registrar General of India to cross-reference death records, having already processed millions of such entries. Pilot programs are also in motion with state governments to verify the status of centenarian Aadhaar holders, ensuring that even the longest-lived individuals have their records accurately managed.
Securing the Digital Backbone of India
The meticulous process of deactivating these dormant Aadhaar numbers involves a rigorous validation of information. This includes cross-referencing demographic details and death registration numbers to prevent erroneous deactivations. The UIDAI emphasizes that an Aadhaar number is never reassigned, making its deactivation upon death crucial for preventing identity theft and maintaining an accurate database. As India increasingly relies on its digital identity system for service delivery and governance, cleaning up the Aadhaar database is paramount to ensuring that benefits reach only legitimate beneficiaries and that the system remains a bulwark against fraud.
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Future Outlook and Public Participation
While significant strides have been made, with millions of deceased Aadhaar numbers already deactivated, the task remains ongoing. The success of this initiative heavily relies on public participation, with citizens urged to promptly report deaths through the official channels once a death certificate is obtained. Further integrations with banks and other entities that maintain death records are also being explored to create a more seamless and robust verification ecosystem.
