Aadhaar Card Crisis in Kerala: 49 Lakh More Cards Than People
In a shocking revelation, Kerala has issued over 4.09 crore Aadhaar cards for a population of just 3.6 crore. That’s a staggering mismatch of nearly 49 lakh cards. This Aadhaar data discrepancy has sparked national concern, raising serious questions about identity fraud, data hygiene, and the effectiveness of UIDAI’s systems. UIDAI confirmed this anomaly in response to a Right to Information (RTI) query, and similar gaps have surfaced in other states like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and West Bengal
Aadhaar Card Discrepancy in Kerala: What the Numbers Say
As of September 30, 2025, Kerala’s population stands at 3,60,63,000. However, UIDAI data shows 4,09,68,282 Aadhaar cards have been issued. That’s a 13.6% overage—one of the highest in India.
This mismatch isn’t just a statistical error. It points to deeper issues in Aadhaar’s data hygiene, including:
- Lack of real-time deactivation of deceased individuals’ Aadhaar numbers
- Duplicate or fraudulent registrations
- Migration-related anomalies
RTI activist Raju Vazhakala from Kochi called it a “serious flaw in the Aadhaar system,” emphasizing the absence of an automated mechanism to cancel Aadhaar cards of the deceased
Nationwide Aadhaar Mismatch: Not Just Kerala
Kerala isn’t alone. Across India, Aadhaar issuance has outpaced population estimates. As of 2025:
- India’s population: ~1.41 billion
- Aadhaar cards issued: 1.42+ billion
States with similar issues include:
- Andhra Pradesh
- Karnataka
- Maharashtra
- Punjab
- Rajasthan
- Tamil Nadu
- Telangana
- Tripura
- Uttarakhand
- West Bengal
This nationwide trend raises concerns about the potential misuse of inactive or duplicate Aadhaar numbers in welfare schemes, banking, and even elections.
UIDAI’s Response: Death Reporting and Deactivation Drive
To address these gaps, UIDAI has launched several initiatives:
1. Aadhaar Death Reporting Portal
On June 9, 2025, UIDAI introduced a new feature on the myAadhaar portal called “Reporting the Death of a Family Member.” This allows:
- Entry of the deceased’s Aadhaar number
- Submission of the death registration number
- Verification and deactivation by UIDAI
This step empowers families to help maintain the integrity of the Aadhaar database.
2. Collaboration With Civil Registration System (CRS)
UIDAI, in partnership with the Registrar General of India (RGI), has collected 1.55 crore death records from 24 states and union territories. After verification, 1.17 crore Aadhaar numbers have been deactivated.
Efforts are ongoing to include non-CRS states and UTs in this initiative
3. Special Focus on Centenarians
UIDAI is also working with banks and state governments to verify the status of individuals aged 100 and above. This helps identify inactive Aadhaar numbers that may still be in circulation.
Why This Matters: Risks of Aadhaar Misuse
The presence of excess Aadhaar cards poses serious risks:
- 💳 Identity fraud in banking and welfare schemes
- 🗳️ Electoral roll manipulation
- 🧾 Ghost beneficiaries in government subsidies
- 🔐 Data security vulnerabilities
Without timely deactivation, these risks could undermine the credibility of India’s digital identity infrastructure.
What Needs to Be Done: Expert Suggestions
Experts and activists recommend:
- Making death reporting mandatory and automated
- Integrating Aadhaar with hospital and municipal death records
- Regular audits of Aadhaar issuance vs population data
- Public awareness campaigns on reporting deceased Aadhaar holders
Kerala-Specific Impact
For residents in Kerala, especially in districts like Ernakulam, Thiruvananthapuram, and Kozhikode, this issue could affect:
- Access to government schemes like PDS, pensions, and scholarships
- Voter list accuracy during upcoming elections
- Trust in digital identity systems
What You Can Do: Steps for Citizens
If you’ve lost a family member, here’s how you can help:
- Visit the myAadhaar Portal
- Select “Report Death of a Family Member”
- Enter the Aadhaar number and death registration number
- Submit for verification and deactivation
This small step can prevent misuse and protect national data integrity.
Final Thoughts: A Wake-Up Call for India’s Digital Governance
The Aadhaar mismatch in Kerala is more than a statistical oddity—it’s a wake-up call. As India moves toward a fully digital governance model, data accuracy and accountability must be non-negotiable. UIDAI’s recent steps are promising, but systemic reforms and citizen participation are essential to restore trust in the Aadhaar ecosystem.
External Links:
News18 The New Indian Express.
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