New Bill Passed to Regulate Birth and Death Registrations in India: What You Need to Know

Parliament Approves New Regulations

New Delhi: On Tuesday, the Indian Parliament enacted a new bill aimed at enhancing the regulations surrounding the registration of births and deaths. This legislation mandates judicial approval from a first-class magistrate for registrations that occur more than two years after the event.

The 'Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026' received approval from the Rajya Sabha through a voice vote, despite ongoing protests from opposition members who called for the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. They also raised concerns regarding alleged misappropriation of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

The Lok Sabha had previously passed the bill on Friday amidst similar disruptions.

This bill amends the Registration of Births and Deaths Act of 1969, tightening the existing rules by requiring a magistrate's order for registrations that are delayed beyond two years.

Currently, registrations that are more than one year late necessitate an order from a district magistrate, sub-divisional magistrate, or an authorized executive magistrate. The amended law will maintain this requirement for delays up to two years.

During the debate, Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai emphasized the government's commitment to ensuring that every child born in India is registered and that all deaths are recorded. He expressed concerns about deceased individuals remaining on voter lists, which he attributed to 'appeasement politics' by certain parties.

Rai stated, "It is crucial that every child born in the country is registered. Those who have passed away should not remain on voter lists to benefit specific political parties."

He criticized the Congress party, suggesting that some state governments support keeping deceased individuals on voter lists.

Rai also highlighted that there are currently 350,000 registration centers across the nation for recording births and deaths.

He noted that in 2014, the registration rate for births was 86.6%, which has now increased to 99.1%. For deaths, the registration rate improved from 72.5% in 2014 to 99.4% today.

Rai accused the Congress party of misleading the nation regarding birth and death registrations, asserting that India is progressing towards complete registration.

As the House reconvened after lunch, Rai presented the bill for consideration and passage amidst continued disruptions. Opposition members persisted in their demands for the Home Minister's presence.

Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the functioning of the House, insisting that both the Prime Minister and Home Minister should be present for discussions.

While several members of the NDA supported the bill, opposition members continued to call for Shah's attendance.

During the proceedings, CPI(M) member A A Rahim raised concerns about the deaths of over 20 students linked to a NEET paper leak, while Congress member Phulo Devi Netam questioned the absence of the Home Minister, given the bill's relevance to his ministry.

CPI(M) member V Sivadasan acknowledged the importance of proper registration but pointed out ongoing issues such as child malnutrition and student deaths that also require attention.

UPPL member Pramod Boro supported the bill's objectives but expressed concerns about the requirement for judicial orders for registrations delayed by over two years, suggesting it could complicate the process for vulnerable populations.

BJD member Santrupt Misra urged the government to investigate the reasons behind late registrations, proposing dedicated offices in tribal areas to enhance accessibility.

Members from YSRCP, AIADMK, and BRS expressed their support for the legislation.

Amidst the uproar, BJP member Biswajit Sinha accused the Congress of opposing the bill to hinder proper registration processes.

He claimed that recent electoral roll revisions in West Bengal revealed deceased individuals still listed as voters, alleging that some parties assist illegal immigrants in obtaining registrations. He asserted that the bill would help prevent such practices.