Deactivating the Aadhaar numbers of deceased individuals is already under consideration of the Government of India, however there is currently no mechanism available for doing so. Aadhaar is used as evidence of both identity and address throughout the country. In this article, we will explore the current situation surrounding Aadhaar deactivation for deceased persons and the government’s response to the issue.
No Mechanism for Aadhaar Deactivation
According to news reports, there is currently no mechanism in place to receive the Aadhaar of deceased persons from the registrars appointed by state governments and to deactivate them. This presents a challenge in ensuring that the Aadhaar numbers of deceased individuals are not misused.
Proposed Amendments to the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969
The Registrar General of India has sought suggestions from the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) on draft amendments to the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969. The proposed amendments would include capturing the Aadhaar number of a deceased person while issuing their death certificate, allowing for its subsequent deactivation. However, no further developments have taken place since this proposal was made.
Births and Deaths Registration in India
Births and deaths are registered by state-appointed registrars under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969. These registrars record vital events in their respective local areas. Ensuring the proper deactivation of Aadhaar numbers for deceased persons would require close collaboration between these registrars and the UIDAI.
Possible Future Mechanism for Aadhaar Deactivation
A recent report suggests that the UIDAI and the Registrar General of India will soon roll out a mechanism for deactivating a deceased person’s Aadhaar card. This mechanism would be implemented in collaboration with state governments and would require family members to share information about the deceased person. The Aadhaar would only be deactivated with their permission.
This move comes after the UIDAI implemented a scheme to assign Aadhaar numbers along with birth certificates. More than 20 states have adopted this scheme, which is expected to be expanded in the future.
FAQs
1. What potential risks are associated with not deactivating the Aadhaar numbers of deceased individuals?
The potential risks associated with not deactivating the Aadhaar numbers of deceased individuals include identity theft, financial fraud, and other forms of misuse. Since Aadhaar is used as evidence of both identity and address throughout India, the numbers of deceased persons could be exploited by malicious actors for various purposes if they are not deactivated.
2. How does the current lack of a mechanism for Aadhaar deactivation of deceased persons impact the integrity of the Aadhaar system?
The lack of a mechanism for Aadhaar deactivation of deceased persons impacts the integrity of the Aadhaar system by leaving it vulnerable to misuse and fraud. This could lead to a loss of trust in the system and raise concerns about the overall security and privacy of Aadhaar information.
3. What role do state-appointed registrars play in the process of birth and death registration in India, and how might they be involved in a future mechanism for Aadhaar deactivation?
State-appointed registrars play a critical role in the process of birth and death registration in India under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969. They record vital events in their respective local areas. In the development of a future mechanism for Aadhaar deactivation, these registrars would need to collaborate closely with the UIDAI, ensuring that the Aadhaar numbers of deceased individuals are reported and deactivated promptly and efficiently.
4. How could the proposed amendments to the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 help address the issue of Aadhaar deactivation for deceased persons?
The proposed amendments to the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, could help address the issue of Aadhaar deactivation for deceased persons by including the capture of a deceased person’s Aadhaar number while issuing their death certificate. This would enable the UIDAI to receive the deceased person’s Aadhaar information and subsequently deactivate it, thus preventing potential misuse.
5. In the context of the UIDAI implementing a scheme to assign Aadhaar numbers along with birth certificates, how might this impact the future development and implementation of a mechanism for Aadhaar deactivation for deceased individuals?
The UIDAI’s implementation of a scheme to assign Aadhaar numbers along with birth certificates, which has been adopted by more than 20 states, could impact the future development and implementation of a mechanism for Aadhaar deactivation for deceased individuals by expanding the reach of the Aadhaar system. As more people are assigned Aadhaar numbers from birth, the need for a robust and efficient mechanism to deactivate numbers for deceased persons becomes even more critical, potentially prompting faster development and implementation of such a mechanism.
Conclusion
While the Government has considered the deactivation of Aadhaar numbers for deceased persons, there is currently no mechanism in place to do so. Proposed amendments to the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, could provide a solution to this issue. However, no further developments have been made since the proposal. Until a mechanism is developed and implemented, the Aadhaar numbers of deceased individuals remain at risk for misuse.