UIDAI Reviews Aadhaar Biometric Failures, Launches New Initiatives

Published Date : 7/18/2025 

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) faces scrutiny over high rates of Aadhaar biometric verification failures, leading to the exclusion of eligible beneficiaries from social welfare schemes. The UIDAI is taking steps to address these issues and improve the integrity of the Aadhaar database. 

In India, there is growing concern over the reliability of Aadhaar biometric verification as the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) intensifies its efforts to enhance the digital hygiene of the Aadhaar central database. The government body is reaching out to various segments of society to address the issues at hand.

The Indian Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has called for a review of the UIDAI following serious concerns. The committee heard that high rates of biometric verification failure are excluding eligible beneficiaries from crucial social welfare schemes.

Across party lines, Members of Parliament (MPs) have warned that faulty fingerprint and iris biometric scans are preventing recipients from accessing subsidized food rations under the Public Distribution System and work opportunities through the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. Committee members noted that many laborers’ worn fingerprints and elderly citizens’ changed iris patterns no longer match UIDAI records, leading to wrongful exclusions.

Chaired by senior Congress leader K.C. Venugopal, the committee examined a 2021 report from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) and heard oral testimony from officials of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and UIDAI representatives. “This is a common man’s issue,” said Venugopal, as reported by The Hindu. “We flagged various problems and have raised several questions.”

UIDAI officials acknowledged the persistent verification challenges but defended the security of the central Aadhaar database. They attributed reported data leaks to vulnerabilities at enrollment centers and stated that they have tightened oversight to prevent further breaches. The committee instructed UIDAI to submit a detailed action plan within six weeks, outlining steps to reduce biometric failures, strengthen data security, and streamline deactivation protocols.

To preserve the integrity of its central Aadhaar database, the UIDAI has launched several initiatives to identify and deactivate Aadhaar numbers belonging to deceased individuals. This month, UIDAI formally requested death records linked with Aadhaar from the Registrar General of India (RGI). To date, the RGI has supplied approximately 15.5 million death entries from 24 States and Union Territories through the Civil Registration System. Following a rigorous validation process, UIDAI has deactivated about 11.7 million corresponding Aadhaar numbers. A parallel exercise is underway with non-CRS States and UTs, where roughly 670,000 death records have already been received and are in the process of verification and deactivation.

On June 9, UIDAI rolled out a new service on its myAadhaar Portal, titled “Reporting of Death of a Family Member.” Initially available for deaths registered in the 24 CRS-participating States and UTs, the portal allows a verified family member to submit the deceased’s Aadhaar number alongside their Death Registration Number and other demographic details. After UIDAI completes its validation checks, the system automatically deactivates the Aadhaar number if the submission is confirmed. Integration of the remaining States and UTs with the portal is ongoing.

Beyond government sources, UIDAI is exploring partnerships with banks and other entities in the Aadhaar ecosystem that maintain records of account holders’ deaths. At the state level, the authority has initiated a pilot project sharing demographic information of Aadhaar holders aged over 100 years with State governments. These authorities verify whether the centenarian is still alive, and UIDAI carries out subsequent validation before any deactivation. To prevent unauthorized use of Aadhaar numbers following a family member’s death, UIDAI urges relatives to obtain an official death certificate and report the demise promptly via the myAadhaar Portal. Timely reporting will help ensure that the database remains accurate and reliable for all legitimate beneficiaries.

In addition, the UIDAI is taking steps to ensure that only Indian citizens receive an Aadhaar number. Initially designed as a proof of identity rather than citizenship, Aadhaar will now require tighter document checks for all adult enrollments and account updates to ensure they are already in an Indian state government database.

UIDAI has also reminded parents to complete the Mandatory Biometric Update for children who turn seven and were enrolled before the age of five, warning that failure to do so will lead to Aadhaar deactivation. Current rules specify that children must undergo a Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU) on reaching five years old. The update captures fingerprints, iris, and face biometrics and is free until the child’s seventh birthday, after which an Rs. 100 fee ($1.16) applies. UIDAI is sending SMS alerts and recently ran a campaign in Uttar Pradesh targeting 46 million children. Parents can visit any designated Aadhaar center to update biometrics, ensuring uninterrupted access to school admissions, entrance exams, scholarships, and Direct Benefit Transfer schemes. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What is the main concern with Aadhaar biometric verification?

A: The main concern is the high rate of biometric verification failures, which can exclude eligible beneficiaries from social welfare schemes such as the Public Distribution System and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.

Q: What steps is the UIDAI taking to address biometric verification failures?

A: UIDAI is upgrading biometric systems, enhancing data security, and working on a detailed action plan to reduce biometric failures and streamline deactivation protocols.

Q: How is UIDAI ensuring the accuracy of the Aadhaar database for deceased individuals?

A: UIDAI is requesting death records from the Registrar General of India, launching a new service on the myAadhaar Portal for reporting deaths, and exploring partnerships with banks and other entities to maintain accurate records.

Q: What is the Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU) for children, and why is it important?

A: The MBU is a process where children who turn seven and were enrolled before the age of five must update their biometrics. This ensures uninterrupted access to various social benefits and prevents Aadhaar deactivation.

Q: How is UIDAI ensuring that only Indian citizens receive an Aadhaar number?

A: UIDAI is implementing tighter document checks for all adult enrollments and account updates to ensure they are already in an Indian state government database, thereby verifying citizenship. 

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