New Bill Aims to Digitize Birth and Death Records with Aadhaar Mandate

Registration of Birth and Death Amendment Bill 2023

In a significant move, the Union Home Ministry has introduced the Registration of Births and Deaths (RBD) Amendment Bill, 2023, during the current Parliament session. The proposed amendments seek to digitize birth records and make Aadhaar mandatory for birth and death registration. The key objective is to streamline documentation processes, ensure accurate record-keeping, and facilitate various government services.

Background: Enhancing Documentation Rights

The Registration of Births and Deaths Act 1969 was introduced to record vital events in the country. However, currently, Aadhaar is not obligatory for birth and death registration. The new amendments aim to give Aadhaar legal validity for this purpose, promoting efficiency and authenticity in record-keeping.

Key Provisions of the Bill

1. Aadhaar Mandatory for Birth Registration:
   The Bill proposes to make Aadhaar compulsory for individuals who possess it during birth and death registration. This measure aims to enhance the accuracy and credibility of records.
2. Data Sharing with the RGI:
   States will be required to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Registrar General of India (RGI) to share data through an Application Programming Interface (API). This real-time data sharing will enable the RGI to maintain its own register of births and deaths.
3. Wide-ranging Applications of Birth Certificates:
   The Bill mandates the use of birth certificates for various purposes, including enrollment in schools, voter registration, marriage, passport issuance, and government job applications.

Significance of Data Sharing

Real-time data sharing will enable the update of the National Population Register (NPR) and electoral register, along with databases like Aadhaar, ration cards, passports, and driving licenses. By maintaining up-to-date population data, the need for periodic enumerations can be reduced, leading to more accurate population counts.

Concerns and Provisions

While the proposed amendments aim to enhance efficiency and documentation, some critics express concerns about the potential misuse of Aadhaar for population control and surveillance. Ensuring privacy and data security remains crucial in implementing these changes.

Provisions of the RBD Amendment Bill, 2023

The Bill simplifies registration procedures for births and deaths, applying to individuals born after its enactment. States must register births and deaths on the Centre’s Civil Registration System (CRS) portal and share the data with the Registrar General of India. During birth registration, Aadhaar numbers of parents and informants will be collected if available. Medical institutions will be required to provide certificates of the cause of death to the Registrar and the nearest relative. In cases of disasters or epidemics, special “Sub-Registrars” will be appointed to expedite registration and issuance of death certificates.

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Birth and Death Records with Aadhaar – FAQs