Amid Opp protests, RS passes Registration of Births and Deaths Bill, Pg6

Key Highlights:

• The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was passed by the Rajya Sabha by a voice vote.
• The Bill seeks to amend the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, introducing stricter provisions for delayed registrations.
• It mandates an order from a Judicial Magistrate (First Class) for birth and death registrations made over two years after the event.
• The Lok Sabha had previously cleared the Bill before its passage in the Upper House.
• MoS Home Nityanand Rai introduced the Bill, citing misuse of late registration provisions.

Detailed Insights:

• Under the existing Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, registrations delayed by over one year require an order from a District Magistrate, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, or an authorized Executive Magistrate.
• The amended law will continue to apply the requirement of an order from a District Magistrate or Executive Magistrate for delays up to two years.
• Opposition members expressed concerns that mandating a Judicial Magistrate (First Class) order would overburden the judiciary and lead to further delays in registrations.
• Suggestions were made by some members to simplify the registration process through initiatives like camps and door-to-door activities, and to consider removing penalties.
• The government justified the stricter provisions to prevent the misuse of late registrations, such as the creation of "ghost voters" or the fraudulent registration of individuals born elsewhere.
• The Bill aims to ensure more accurate and timely documentation of vital statistics, which is crucial for various administrative and planning purposes.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969: The principal legislation in India that provides for the regulation of registration of births and deaths.
• Judicial Magistrate (First Class): A judicial officer in India who presides over the lowest level of criminal courts and is empowered to try criminal cases and issue various orders.
• District Magistrate: The chief administrative and executive officer of a district in India, responsible for maintaining law and order, revenue administration, and various regulatory functions.