Bill to Bring Stricter Birth, Death Registration Rules Introduced in Lok Sabha as Opposition Calls for PM, HM

New Delhi: A key Bill to amend the law for the registration of births and deaths was introduced in the Lok Sabha today (July 29) amid protests by the opposition, which sought the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah for a statement on police excess against Jantar Mantar protesters last week.

The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026, was introduced by junior home minister Nityanand Rai, as Shah remained missing in parliament.

The Bill was cleared for introduction by the Union Cabinet on July 20 and has controversial provisions.

This law seeks to amend Section 13(3) of the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, which was amended in 2023.

Once passed, this will make it difficult to register births and deaths after a delay.

If a birth or death is registered after one year, but before a period of two years, then a District Magistrate will have to verify correctness and then issue an order for registration. This is similar to the existing Act.

However, if a birth or death is registered after two years, then a Judicial Magistrate of first class will have to verify it and then order registration. This effectively shifts the power from the executive to the judiciary in such cases.

"This will encourage timely reporting of event of birth and death," the text of the Bill says.

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