Delay may make registrations of birth, deaths tough

The Centre proposes amending the Registration of Births and Deaths Act to require a judicial magistrate order for registrations delayed beyond two years.

Currently, delays beyond one year can be approved by a district magistrate, sub-divisional magistrate or executive magistrate.

The new provision would replace executive approval with judicial scrutiny for delays over two years.

Births and deaths must be registered within 21 days via the digital Civil Registration System; delays up to one year require written permission from the district registrar.

The amendment aims to ensure near real-time recording of births and deaths for policy planning and to prevent misuse.