The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has introduced a feature that lets Aadhaar cardholders check when and where their Aadhaar number was used. Available on the official UIDAI website, this tool gives citizens more control and helps them spot any suspicious activity linked to their 12-digit ID number.
How To Check Misuse Of Aadhaar Card?
To see the history, people need to log in to the UIDAI portal with their Aadhaar number and a one-time password (OTP) sent to their registered mobile. After logging in, they can click on the “Authentication History” option.
Step 1: Go to the myAadhaar Portal
This page shows the date, time, type of use (like biometric, OTP, or demographic), and the name of the agency that carried out the verification. However, it does not show the exact purpose of the verification. Citizens can view activity for up to the past six months.
Step 2: Enter your Aadhaar Number, type the Captcha code, and click on Login with OTP
Step 3: From the dashboard, select Authentication History
Step 4: Under Select Modality, choose All. Then select the start and end dates for the period you want to check, and click on Fetch Authentication History
Why This is Useful
Aadhaar is used almost everywhere — from getting government subsidies and opening bank accounts to buying SIM cards. But at the same time, there have been concerns about unauthorized use.
By checking the authentication history, citizens can see if their Aadhaar was used without their knowledge. If they notice any unknown activity, they should immediately report it and lock their Aadhaar biometrics to avoid further misuse.
Can You Erase Aadhaar History?
UIDAI does not allow anyone to delete their Aadhaar authentication history. These records are kept for safety and transparency. They act as a trail to help both UIDAI and citizens detect any fraud or misuse.
While history cannot be erased, people can still secure their Aadhaar for the future. UIDAI provides options such as locking/unlocking biometrics and generating a Virtual ID (VID), which can be used instead of the Aadhaar number. These steps add extra protection without affecting normal services.
Keeping Aadhaar Safe
Experts say Aadhaar logs should be seen as a safety tool. They are proof of how and when the ID was used, making the system more accountable. “The logs are there to protect you,” explained a Delhi-based cybersecurity expert. “By checking them regularly, you can ensure no one is misusing your Aadhaar.”
With Aadhaar being one of the most important identity documents in India, features like authentication history are key to maintaining trust. While you cannot erase history, you can monitor it to keep your Aadhaar safe from misuse.
