Bill in Lok Sabha to allow use of birth certificate as proof for host of services

A bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday with an aim to allow use of a birth certificate as a single document for admission to an educational institution, issuance of driving licence, preparation of voter list, Aadhaar number and registration of marriage or appointment to a government job.

The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2023, will also help create a national and state-level database of registered births and deaths which eventually would ensure efficient and transparent delivery of public services and social benefits and digital registration.

Introducing the bill on behalf of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 (18 of 1969) (the Act) was enacted to provide for the regulation of registration of births and deaths and for matters connected therewith. He said the Act has not been amended so far since its inception and to keep pace with the societal change and technological advancements during the period of its operation and to make it more citizen-friendly, there is a need to amend the Act.