The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has deactivated Aadhaar numbers of more than 2.5 crore deceased persons as part of a nationwide drive to prevent misuse of identity documents and maintain the integrity of the Aadhaar system, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.

In a written reply to Parliament, Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasada said Aadhaar is the world’s largest biometric identity system, with around 134 crore active Aadhaar holders across the country. He said ensuring the accuracy of the Aadhaar database is essential for preventing identity fraud and improving transparency in the delivery of government services.

As part of a continuous clean-up exercise, UIDAI has been deactivating Aadhaar numbers of individuals after their death to stop unauthorised use of identities, particularly for availing welfare benefits. The minister said timely deactivation helps curb potential identity fraud and protects the integrity of public welfare schemes.

Prasada said the government has taken several steps to strengthen Aadhaar security and reduce the risk of misuse. These include the biometric lock and unlock facility, which allows Aadhaar holders to lock their biometric details and prevent unauthorised authentication.