Aadhaar Safety Update 2026: In today’s digital age, the Aadhaar card has become the most essential identification document for every Indian citizen. Whether opening a bank account, receiving government subsidies and pensions, or availing ration cards and gas cylinders, these tasks are nearly impossible without Aadhaar.

To make the Aadhaar system more transparent and secure, the Modi government has taken a historic decision and deactivated over 25 million Aadhaar cards across the country so far. Union IT Minister Jitin Prasada clarified that this step was primarily taken to remove Aadhaar cards that were in the names of deceased individuals or were being used for fraudulent purposes, so that only living and eligible individuals can benefit from government schemes.

Reason behind deactivating Aadhaar cards

The primary goal of this nationwide ‘data clean-up’ campaign being run by the government is to prevent corruption and identity theft. It has often been observed that Aadhaar cards belonging to deceased individuals have been misused to fraudulently avail benefits like pensions and ration cards.

With the removal of 25 million cards from the system, government data will become more accurate and reliable, significantly reducing fraud and fraudulent transactions. The biggest benefit for ordinary citizens is that their digital identity and banking transactions will be more secure than ever. Additionally, funds from government welfare schemes will reach the right people, saving the government treasury and increasing transparency.

Check status of your Aadhaar card from home

There’s no need to panic after hearing about the deactivation of such a large number of Aadhaar cards, as you can easily check your Aadhaar status from the comfort of your home. Visit the official website of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) or use the ‘mAadhaar’ app on your smartphone.

Click on the ‘Aadhaar Status’ or ‘Verify an Aadhaar Number’ option on the website and enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number and the captcha code displayed on the screen. If your Aadhaar is active, a verification message will appear on the screen, but if your Aadhaar has been deactivated, you will receive a notification indicating an error or invalidity.

Important Precautions to Keep Aadhaar Safe

To keep your Aadhaar card active and secure, it is essential to keep your mobile number and email ID updated. If your Aadhaar is more than 10 years old and you have never made any corrections to it, you should update your address and identity documents online or by visiting your nearest Aadhaar center, as advised by the government.

Furthermore, to prevent misuse of Aadhaar, it is wise to use the “Biometric Lock” feature, which prevents anyone from accessing your fingerprint or eye scan without your permission. In case of any assistance or doubts, you can contact the Aadhaar toll-free helpline number 1947 to resolve your queries.

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