New Delhi, 29 July (H.S.): The Birth and Death Registration (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday amid protests by the Opposition. Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai presented the bill in the House, aiming to digitise birth and death records across the country and curb the misuse of fake documents.

Under the proposed provisions, stricter regulations will be implemented for delays in registering births and deaths. If registration is delayed by one to two years, written approval from the District Magistrate, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, or Executive Magistrate will be mandatory. In cases where the delay exceeds two years, the matter will be referred directly to a court, and a certificate can only be issued after an order from a First-Class Judicial Magistrate.

The legislation proposes linking all birth and death records across the country with a centralised digital database. This will enable online access to information regarding births and deaths occurring anywhere in India through a unified platform. The database will also be integrated with electoral rolls, ration cards, passports, and other national identity documents.

According to the proposed amendments, once a citizen turns 18, their name will be automatically added to the electoral roll. Similarly, after a person's death, their name can be removed from government records through an easier and more streamlined process. The move is aimed at preventing irregularities in welfare schemes and eliminating instances of fraudulent claims.

After the implementation of the new law, the birth certificate will become the primary and most important document for official purposes. Currently, separate documents are required for school admissions, obtaining driving licences, and applying for government jobs. However, after the passage of the bill, the birth certificate will be recognised as the sole official document for establishing age and identity.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar