RGI flags delay by hospitals in reporting births, deaths, Pg 1

Key Highlights

Hospitals Not Reporting On Time

• Registrar-General of India (RGI) flagged delays by private and government hospitals in reporting births and deaths within 21 days.

• Many hospitals ask relatives to report instead, breaching Registration of Births and Deaths Act (RBD), 1969.

Legal Mandate & Penalties

• Section 23(2) of amended RBD Act (2023) makes delay in registration a punishable offence.

• All events must be registered on Centre’s online Civil Registration System (CRS).

Impact on Population Estimation

• With Census delayed since 2021, civil registration is vital for population data and planning.

• 90% events registered, but full 100% coverage still not achieved.

Administrative Gaps

• Issues reported:

  • Hospitals denying reports

  • Registrars delaying action

  • Lack of internal accountability

Analysis & Way Forward

• The issue highlights a governance gap in essential data systems.

• Enforcement of legal timelines and digitised registration training are critical for improving accuracy.

Mains Mock Question:

"Discuss the significance of civil registration of births and deaths in India’s governance framework. What are the challenges and how can they be addressed effectively?"