Consider the following statements : 1. Aadhaar card can be used as a proof of citizenship or domicile. 2. Once issued, Aadhaar number cannot be deactivated or omitted by the Issuing Authority. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

The correct answer is option D – neither statement 1 nor 2 is correct.

**Statement 1 is incorrect:** The Unique Identification Authority of India was established as a central government agency with the objective of collecting the biometric and demographic data of residents, storing them in a centralised database, and issuing a 12-digit unique identity number called Aadhaar to each resident.[1] Aadhaar is explicitly a proof of residence and identity, not citizenship or domicile. The term "resident" is key here – it does not establish citizenship status or domicile rights under Indian law.

**Statement 2 is incorrect:** UIDAI deactivates the Aadhaar number of the deceased person based on validation and matching of death registration details with the database of death registering authority and Aadhaar database.[2] This clearly demonstrates that the issuing authority can indeed deactivate Aadhaar numbers. Additionally, Deactivation is temporary and cancellation is permanent. Your Aadhaar number still exists in UIDAI's database.[3] This shows that both deactivation and cancellation mechanisms exist, contrary to what statement 2 claims.

Therefore, both statements are incorrect, making option D the correct answer.

1. [1] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 39: After Nehru... > Disbanding Planning Commission and Setting up NITI Aayog > p. 780