New Birth Registration Rule on Indian Parents’ Religion

Context

The Indian government plans to update birth registration rules to include the religion of both parents, rather than just the family’s religion. This information could be used to cross-reference with voter rolls and passports. State governments will need to create agreements to enforce these new rules.

About Registration of Birth and Death Act 1969 and further Amendment in 2023

• The Act of the Registration of Births and Deaths of 1969 is a crucial piece of legislation in India which requires births and deaths to be registered. 
• It seeks to establish a facility for keeping files about births and deaths, which are necessary for administrative, and statistics. 
• This requirement provides the legislative background and procedures for national registration of births and deaths all over the country.

• As per 2023 Amendment following are the summary of key features.
  
  • Digital Birth Certificates: By adding digital certificates to streamline documentation processes.
  • Aadhaar Integration: Linking Aadhaar (the unique identity number of parents and informants) to birth certificates for identification.
  • Expanded Aadhaar Inclusion: Aadhaar details from the varied reporting authorities as the base for the exhaustive records
  • Centralised Database: Creation of a single database to allow records to be managed effectively.
  • Database Usage: The other thing which will be added into the database is updating of the National Population Register, ration cards and property registrations improving the accuracy and accessibility of every record.

About the New rule on inclusion of Parent’s Religion

• New Birth Registration Rules Proposal: Ministry of Home Affairs, under the Union Government, has proposed modification of birth registration norms.
• Parental Religion Declaration Requirement: Parents will be obliged to indicate both parents’ religions during the process of registration of birth and a new system of recording religion different from the old practice of only recording the religion of the whole family.
• Previous Practice: Birth Religion Exclusively Synonym: Before, the registration of the birth certificate recorded only the religion of the family of the child.
• Pending State Government Adoption: To be implemented, the model rules must be approved and accepted by state governments in the first instance.
• Digital Registration via Civil Registration System: Registration of births and deaths shall be done computationally by means of using the Civil Registration System’s Portal.
• Proposed Changes to “Form No.1-Birth Report”: The birth record adjustment will introduce a parent’s religion section that will be filed separately for the father’s and mother’s religions.
• Addition of Father and Mother’s Religion: Religious affiliation of both parents will be noted down at time of birth registration.
• Adoption Registration Adjustments: Adopting parents need to be able to complete no difference in the registration procedures for adopted children too.
• Potential Database Updates: NPR governmental database:The database can receive updates which, in turn, can be used to update the National Population registers and other official civil records.
• Goal: Errors Reduction and Easy Access Spoken: The goal of the actions is error reduction and the easy access of birth registration records.

Way Forward

• In order to improve birth registration in India, there are several steps that need to be taken. 
  • These include raising awareness through campaigns, strengthening capacity, establishing digital infrastructure, involving communities, monitoring actions, reviewing the legal framework, partnering with other agencies, establishing feedback channels, conducting research and innovation, and ensuring sustainability. 
  • These projects will allow for electronic access to information and customer support, while maintaining transparency and accountability.

Source: The Hindu

UPSC Mains Practice Question

Q.Discuss the implications of India’s proposed amendment to birth registration rules, requiring the declaration of both parents’ religion. How does this align with the objectives of the Registration of Birth and Death Act 1969, and what potential challenges might arise in its implementation?

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