Kochi: In a startling revelation, Kerala has more Aadhaar cards than people. Official data shows that while the state’s population stands at 3.60 crore (36,063,000), as of September 30, 2025, over 4.09 crore (40,968,282) Aadhaar cards have been issued — a difference of 49 lakh. The finding has sparked serious concerns about the accuracy and reliability of the Aadhaar database.
The information came to light through a Right to Information (RTI) response from the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), which highlighted significant mismatches between Aadhaar registrations and population figures. Experts note that while such discrepancies exist across the country, Kerala’s gap is one of the widest.
According to Kochi-based RTI activist Raju Vazhakkan, the root cause lies in the failure to update Aadhaar records in a timely manner, particularly in removing entries for deceased individuals.
When Aadhaar data isn’t updated promptly, records of deceased persons stay active, creating opportunities for misuse. It’s vital to act quickly to maintain data integrity and security,” Vazhakkan warned.
The issue extends beyond Kerala. Nationally, India’s population is 141.22 crore (1,412,225,700), but 142.95 crore (1,429,578,647) Aadhaar cards have been issued — an excess of 1.73 crore. States including Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal have also reported similar mismatches.
In its clarification, the UIDAI said it is actively working to improve the accuracy of its database and deactivate Aadhaar numbers of deceased individuals. Through the Civil Registration System (CRS), the agency has received 1.55 crore death records from 24 states and union territories and has already deactivated 1.17 crore Aadhaar numbers in coordination with the Registrar General of India (RGI).
UIDAI further noted that, since June 9, 2025, citizens can report the death of an Aadhaar holder directly online using the Aadhaar number and death registration details. It also mentioned ongoing efforts to gather death data from banks and to track individuals above 100 years of age in cooperation with state governments.
Officials say these steps aim to clean up the database and restore public trust in India’s national identification system — a crucial tool for welfare delivery and financial inclusion.
