UIDAI Reviews Aadhaar Biometric Issues, Begins Database Cleanup

Published Date : 7/18/2025 

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is under scrutiny due to high rates of Aadhaar biometric verification failures, which exclude eligible beneficiaries from social welfare schemes. The UIDAI is ramping up efforts to clean its database and ensure its integrity. 

In India, there is growing concern over the high rates of Aadhaar biometric verification failures, which are leading to the exclusion of eligible beneficiaries from social welfare schemes. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is increasing its campaign of digital hygiene for the Aadhaar central database, reaching out to various sections of society.

The Indian Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has called for a review of the UIDAI after serious concerns were flagged. The PAC heard that faulty fingerprint and iris biometric scans are blocking 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 insisted that upgrades to biometric systems are underway. They defended the security of the central Aadhaar database, attributing reported data leaks to vulnerabilities at enrollment centers and stated that they have tightened oversight to prevent further breaches.

There are estimates suggesting that the number of active Aadhaar cards exceeds India’s total population, pointing to possible duplications and delays in deactivating cards of the deceased. UIDAI representatives explained that deactivation depends on voluntary reporting of deaths. The PAC instructed UIDAI to proactively cleanse the database.

The panel has asked the UIDAI to submit a detailed action plan within six weeks, outlining steps to reduce biometric failures, strengthen data security, and streamline deactivation protocols.

In a bid 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 curb any 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. The authority says that timely reporting will help ensure that the database remains accurate and reliable for all legitimate beneficiaries.

In addition, the UIDAI is making moves to ensure that only Indian citizens receive an Aadhaar number. First designed as a proof of identity rather than citizenship, Aadhaar will now require tighter document checks for all adult enrolments 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 undertake 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 — an Rs. 100 fee ($1.16) applies thereafter. 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 regarding Aadhaar biometric verification failures?

A: The main concern is that faulty fingerprint and iris biometric scans are blocking eligible beneficiaries from accessing social welfare schemes, such as subsidized food rations and work opportunities.

Q: How is the UIDAI addressing the issue of biometric verification failures?

A: UIDAI is acknowledging the persistent verification challenges and is working on upgrading biometric systems. They are also tightening security measures and proactively cleansing the database to ensure its integrity.

Q: What steps has the UIDAI taken to deactivate Aadhaar numbers of deceased individuals?

A: UIDAI has launched initiatives to identify and deactivate Aadhaar numbers of deceased individuals by requesting death records from the Registrar General of India and rolling out a new service on the myAadhaar Portal for reporting deaths.

Q: Why is the UIDAI reminding parents to update their children's biometrics?

A: UIDAI is reminding parents to complete the Mandatory Biometric Update for children who turn seven and were enrolled before the age of five. Failure to do so will lead to Aadhaar deactivation, affecting access to various benefits and services.

Q: What new measures is the UIDAI implementing to ensure only Indian citizens receive Aadhaar numbers?

A: UIDAI is requiring tighter document checks for all adult enrolments and account updates to ensure they are already in an Indian state government database, ensuring that only Indian citizens receive Aadhaar numbers. 

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