Archive · 28 Nov 2025
UIDAI Deactivates 2 Crore Ghost Aadhaar Cards
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has deactivated more than 2 crore Aadhaar cards that belonged to people who have passed away.
These cards were still active and could be used for bad things like stealing someone's identity or getting fake benefits.
The UIDAI did this big cleanup to make sure these problems stop happening.
It's one of the largest database clean-ups in the world.
Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh government has instructed all its departments to stop accepting Aadhaar cards as proof of birth, following a clarification from UIDAI that Aadhaar is not an approved document for confirming date of birth.
This move aims to avoid confusion and ensure uniform compliance across all government wings.
UIDAI deactivated over 2 crore Aadhaar numbers belonging to deceased individuals.
The cleanup is one of the largest database clean-ups in the world.
Active Aadhaar numbers of deceased individuals posed risks like identity theft and welfare fraud.
The deactivation aims to prevent issues such as ghost ration cards and fake pension claims.
UP government instructed all departments to stop accepting Aadhaar as proof of birth, aligning with UIDAI's clarification.
- Who
- Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and Uttar Pradesh government
- What
- Deactivated more than 2 crore 'ghost' Aadhaar numbers and instructed departments to stop accepting Aadhaar as proof of birth
- When
- 26 November, 2025 (deactivation announcement) and 31 October, 2025 (UIDAI clarification)
- Where
- India, with specific directive in Uttar Pradesh
- Why
- To prevent identity theft, welfare fraud, and other related issues, and to clarify the purpose of Aadhaar
UIDAI's Cleanup Efforts
UP Government's Directive
Aadhaar as Proof of Birth
UIDAI's Cleanup Efforts
Aadhaar cards are not intended to serve as proof of birth, as clarified by UIDAI.
UP Government's Directive
UP government has instructed all departments to stop accepting Aadhaar cards as proof of birth, aligning with UIDAI's clarification.
- Organization
- Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI)
- Date of Deactivation Announcement
- 26 November, 2025
- Number of Deactivated Aadhaar Cards
- More than 2 crore
- Reason for Deactivation
- Belonging to deceased individuals
- Potential Risks Addressed
- Identity theft, welfare fraud, fake pension claims, ghost ration cards
- UP Government Directive
- Stop accepting Aadhaar as proof of birth
- UIDAI Clarification
- Aadhaar is not an approved proof of date of birth
Sources
Why More Than 2 Crore Aadhaar Cards Were Deactivated - UIDAI ‘Cleanup’ Explained
Why More Than 2 Crore Aadhaar Cards Were Deactivated - UIDAI ‘Cleanup’ Explained
Aadhaar Card No Longer Valid As Birth Certificate Or Proof Of Date Of Birth: Uttar Pradesh's Big Decision
20 million Aadhaar IDs deactivated as UIDAI conducts nationwide clean-up drive
