Rajya Sabha Passes Birth and Death Registration Amendment Bill

The Rajya Sabha passed the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026, by voice vote on August 4, following its prior passage in the Lok Sabha on July 31. The Government of India introduced the legislation to amend the 1969 Act, aiming to prevent fake records and improve the accuracy of population data through a stricter two-tier system for delayed registrations.

Under the new rules, registrations delayed by one to two years require an order from a District Magistrate, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, or authorized Executive Magistrate. For registrations delayed beyond two years, authority shifts from the executive to the judiciary, requiring an order from a Judicial Magistrate of the First Class.

The legislative process was marked by significant disruption. Opposition members from the Congress, DMK, and CPI(M) engaged in sloganeering and protests over the absence of Home Minister Amit Shah. Mallikarjun Kharge demanded government statements regarding police action against students and Ram Mandir donations, asserting that the only way to restore order was for the Prime Minister and Home Minister to address the House.