If you received an Aadhaar number as a child and are now an adult, you may be wondering: Can I cancel or delete it? UIDAI has made some recent proposals to allow citizens to opt out of the Aadhaar system after turning 18. Until July 2025, however, this proposal remains in the draft stage and deactivating Aadhaar is not yet legally permitted under the Aadhaar Act. What is legally permitted, however, is to modify or deactivate your Aadhaar if biometric data is missing or outdated—particularly for children.
What UIDAI is suggesting to Aadhaar holders who are turning 18
UIDAI has proposed the idea that those who were enrolled into Aadhaar as children—particularly those below the age of five—must be provided with an opportunity to opt out when they reach adulthood. The action is a part of a broader dialogue of data privacy and informed digital consent. But the Aadhaar Act currently in force does not facilitate deletion of Aadhaar numbers, and no government notification has been issued for voluntary permanent opt-out on behalf of adults. Unless the legislations are amended, your Aadhaar will remain active till deactivated on grounds pertaining to technology.
Compulsory biometric updation for children or deactivation risk
More urgently, UIDAI has made biometric updation mandatory between 5 and 7 for children who were issued Aadhaar prematurely. This is known as the Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU). If not updated before age 7, the child's Aadhaar can be shut down, preventing subsidies and services. UIDAI has also brought in SMS reminders and set up Aadhaar camps in schools to enable parents to update in time. After age 7, updates can still be done, but for a charge of ₹100.
What if an Aadhaar holder has passed away?
UIDAI has also begun deactivating Aadhaar numbers of deceased individuals based on official death records shared by state governments. Over 1.17 crore Aadhaar numbers have already been deactivated. This move is part of UIDAI’s effort to clean up inactive and unused Aadhaar records, but some states have raised concerns about the accuracy of the process and potential errors.
No Aadhaar? Get ready for essential services to be withdrawn
Even when Aadhaar deletion becomes a legal possibility in the future, opting out will have enormous consequences. Aadhaar is utilized widely for KYC, bank account verification, government subsidy disbursement, income tax return filing, and mobile phone SIM activation. Deactivating or deleting Aadhaar will probably lead to disenfranchisement from dozens of such services, unless the government establishes an alternative ID mechanism. Aadhaar is the current most important identity document for digital as well as financial services in India.
FAQs
Q. Can I delete or cancel my Aadhaar number once I turn 18 years of age?
No, as of July 2025, you cannot delete your Aadhaar. UIDAI has recommended making opt-out an option for adults if they were enrolled as a child, but this is not currently legislation and is pending.
Q. What happens if I do not update my child's Aadhaar after the age of 5?
UIDAI will refresh biometrics between age 5 and 7. If not done, Aadhaar can be disabled after age 7. This may deprive your child of benefits from government schemes or Aadhaar-based services.
Q. How can I confirm my Aadhaar/my child's Aadhaar is enabled?
Visit the UIDAI website and use the Aadhaar number to access the "Verify Aadhaar" service. If the status is "Inactive," it may need biometric or document updations.
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