Central Idea

• India has tabled Registration of Births and Deaths (RBD) Amendment Bill, 2023 to introduce digital birth certificates that will serve as comprehensive documents for various essential purposes.

About RBD Bill, 2023

• It amends the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969.
• The Act provides for the regulation of registration of births and deaths.

Key Points from the Bill

• National Database: The Bill mandates the appointment of a Registrar General of India to maintain a national database of registered births and deaths. State-level databases will also be maintained by Chief Registrars, connected to the national database.
• Aadhaar Integration: Specified persons reporting births must provide Aadhaar details of parents and informants, expanding to include adoptive parents, biological parents in surrogacy cases, and single parents or unwed mothers.
• Digital Registration: The proposed Bill aims to introduce digital registration and electronic delivery of birth and death certificates, streamlining services for the public.
• Mandatory Death Certificates: Medical institutions must provide certificates regarding the cause of death for deaths occurring within their premises.
• Quick disbursal of Certificates: The Registrar must provide birth and death certificates to the person who registered the event within 7 days of registration.
• Appeal Process: Individuals dissatisfied with the actions or orders of the Registrar or District Registrar may appeal to the District Registrar or Chief Registrar, respectively, within 30 days of receipt. The decision on the appeal must be given within 90 days.
• Child adoption ease: The Bill seeks to collect Aadhaar details to facilitate registration for adopted, orphaned, abandoned, surrendered, surrogate, and children of single parents or unwed mothers.
• Integration with National Population Register (NPR): The database generated through the CRS will also be used to update the NPR, ration cards, and property registration records, enhancing the effectiveness of the NPR and laying the groundwork for the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

Conclusion

• India’s move towards digital birth certificates marks a significant milestone in streamlining administrative processes and public services.
• By adopting a centralized system for registration and digital delivery of certificates, the country aims to improve efficiency and transparency in accessing various essential services.

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