Birth Certificate to now become a prominent multi-utility document

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs would implement the  Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Act, 2023 starting from October this year. It was passed in both houses in August, during the monsoon session of the parliament. 

"In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 1 of the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Act, 2023 (20 of 2023), the Central Government hereby appoints the 1st day of October 2023, as the date on which the provisions of the said Act shall come into force," the notification said

The birth certificate would become the document of foremost prominence while enrolling for an educational institute, acquiring a driving licence, registration of marriage, allocation of Aadhar number and preparation of voter’s list.

  This act essentially centralises the system of data collection. A national registry of death and birth would be compiled to which each state would make a contribution. The central government is also authorised to share the database to authorities for purposes it deems fit such as population registers

“It will help create a database of registered births and deaths which eventually would ensure efficient and transparent delivery of public services and social benefits and digital registration," the Union Ministry of Home Affairs said.