NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha has passed the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2023, bringing about several important changes to the existing system. The bill introduces the use of a birth certificate as a single document for various purposes, such as admission to educational institutions, obtaining a driving license, preparing voter lists, obtaining an Aadhaar number, registering marriages, and applying for government jobs.

Union Minister of State for Home, Nityanand Rai, emphasized that this amendment will establish both national and state-level databases of registered births and deaths. This digital registration will pave the way for efficient and transparent delivery of public services and social benefits. The move comes as a response to the need for adapting to societal changes and technological advancements, making the system more citizen-friendly.

One of the primary advantages of this bill is the provision for digital registration and electronic delivery of birth and death certificates, catering to the convenience of the general public. By creating comprehensive databases, it will streamline various other processes and enhance the delivery of services to citizens.

The bill also standardizes the use of birth certificates as a single document for individuals born after the commencement of the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Act, 2023. This means the birth certificate can now be used for admission to educational institutions, issuance of driving licenses, preparation of voter lists, registering marriages, and appointment to various government positions.

Additionally, the bill addresses concerns related to delayed information regarding births and deaths. The ordering authority will now be the district magistrate or sub-divisional magistrate in case of delayed registration after one year of the event. Furthermore, self-attested documents can be submitted instead of affidavits made before a notary public for delayed registration within 30 days to one year of the occurrence.

Another noteworthy provision is related to adoption and child welfare. The bill facilitates the registration process for adopted, orphaned, abandoned, surrendered, surrogate children, as well as children of single parents or unwed mothers. Moreover, all medical institutions will be mandated to provide a certificate stating the cause of death to the registrar and a copy to the nearest relative.

The bill also ensures timely registration of deaths during emergencies, such as disasters or epidemics, by appointing special "sub-registrars." It will collect Aadhaar numbers of parents and informants when available during birth registrations.

To safeguard the interests of the public, the bill strengthens penalties for non-compliance and addresses grievances related to registrar or district registrar actions or orders.

Despite vocal protests from the opposition regarding ethnic violence in Manipur and demands for a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the bill successfully passed in Lok Sabha. With this bill's enactment, India will take a step forward in modernizing and streamlining its birth and death registration processes.

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