Industry News

1.4 crore Aadhaar numbers deactivated to prevent identity fraud

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The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has deactivated over 1.4 crore Aadhaar numbers linked to deceased individuals across India as part of an ongoing cleanup initiative to curb identity theft and misuse of government benefits.

UIDAI CEO Bhuvanesh Kumar said, "Deactivating Aadhaar numbers of the deceased is essential to preserve the credibility of welfare schemes and prevent misuse. It ensures that public funds are not siphoned off through fake claims or identity fraud." The drive, launched in mid-2024, aims to deactivate two crore Aadhaar numbers by December 2025.

Officials said the process faces hurdles since Aadhaar is not mandatory for death registration, creating significant data gaps. "Many death records either don't include Aadhaar numbers or contain incorrect or poorly formatted information," a UIDAI official noted. The initiative seeks to ensure accurate identification and prevent benefits from being disbursed to the deceased.

EPFO launches ‘Passbook Lite’ to simplify PF tracking

The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has launched a new feature called 'Passbook Lite' to simplify account access and speed up claims processing for members. Union Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced the feature, noting that all key EPFO services will now be available through a single login, improving transparency and efficiency for more than 70 million pension subscribers.

Previously, members had to log in to a separate website to view contributions and balances. Passbook Lite now offers a summary view of PF accounts directly on the EPFO website, enabling users to check essential details without switching portals. The traditional passbook website will continue to offer detailed transaction insights for members who need deeper analysis.