Issue of Birth Certificates

27 Jun 2025 GS 2 Governance

Context : RGI Directs States to Issue Birth Certificates Before Newborns’ Hospital Discharge

Registrar-General of India (RGI) has directed all States to ensure birth certificates are issued before hospital discharge, especially in government hospitals, which handle over 50% of institutional births.
Timely Issuance:
Registrars must provide the birth certificate immediately after registration and within seven days, in digital or physical form.
Context and Reform:
- The RGI highlighted recent reforms to improve the Civil Registration System (CRS):
  - Amendments to the Registration of Births and Deaths (RBD) Act, 1969
  - Launch of a Central CRS Portal
  - Rule changes in States for smoother registration
Significance:
- As of October 1, 2023, the digital birth certificate is the sole official proof of date of birth for key services such as:
  - School admission
  - Government employment
  - Marriage registration
Legal Basis:
- Issuance of birth certificates is governed by Section 12 of the Registration of Births and Deaths (RBD) Act, 1969.
- The 2023 amendment mandates that all birth and death registrations be made on the Central portal, replacing State-level systems.
Operational Directive:
Government hospitals, CHCs, and PHCs, acting as registration units, must be sensitised and equipped to ensure immediate certificate issuance due to its increased legal and functional importance.