Births and Deaths Registration Bill 2026: Late Entry Rules
Why in the news
The lower House cleared a Bill on 31 July 2026 that tightens how late-reported births and deaths get entered in the register. It went through by voice vote while Opposition members protested the police action against student protesters at Jantar Mantar on 20 July.
Key facts
- The Bill amends Section 13 of the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, the provision for delayed registration.
- Present rule: an event reported after one year needs a formal order, issued by a District Magistrate, a Sub-Divisional Magistrate or an Executive Magistrate whom the DM has empowered, along with a fee.
- The Bill creates a two-tier system based on how late the report is.
- The definition of executive magistrate is aligned with the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 instead of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.
- Net effect: a judicial check enters a process that earlier stayed fully with the administration.
| Time gap | Who can order registration | Provision |
|---|---|---|
| Over 1 year, up to 2 years | DM, SDM or an Executive Magistrate the DM has empowered, after verification | Substituted Section 13(3) |
| Over 2 years | Judicial Magistrate of the First Class | New Section 13(3A) |
Background
- The 1969 Act makes registration of births and deaths compulsory, and the certificate gives legal identity.
- Administration runs through the Registrar General of India (Ministry of Home Affairs), State Chief Registrars, and district and local Registrars.
- The 2023 amendment (effective 1 October 2023) set up a national database kept by the Registrar General and made Aadhaar of parents and the informant necessary for birth registration.
- It also turned the birth certificate into one common proof for school entry, driving licence, passport, voter enrolment, marriage registration and public jobs.
Why tighten the rules
With the birth certificate becoming a foundational document, fake or fabricated late entries could be used to create proof of identity, age or citizenship. The extra judicial step is meant to curb that.
Related proposal: Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025
- Introduced by Home Minister Amit Shah on 20 August 2025 and sent to a 31-member Joint Committee formed on 12 November 2025.
- Targets Articles 75, 164 and 239AA: a Minister, Chief Minister or Prime Minister held in custody for 30 consecutive days on a charge carrying five years or more would be removed.
- A Minister goes on the 31st day on the President’s order (or the Governor’s) following the advice of the PM (or CM); a PM or CM must resign by then or cease to hold office.
- Re-appointment after release is allowed. Companion Bills extend this to J&K and Puducherry.
Exam angle
- Act amended: Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, Section 13.
- Magistrate for delays above two years: Judicial Magistrate of the First Class.
- Authority at the national level: Registrar General of India under MHA.
- Stage: passed by Lok Sabha only; Rajya Sabha yet to take it up.