Starting October 1, the Indian government will implement a digital registration system for all reported births and deaths. The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Act, 2023, will introduce digital birth certificates, serving as a single document for various purposes, including educational admissions, driving license applications, government jobs, passports, Aadhaar, voter enrollment, and marriage registration. The centralized database will also update the National Population Register (NPR), ration cards, property registrations, and electoral rolls. States are mandated to register births and deaths on the Centre’s Civil Registration System (CRS) portal and share data with the Registrar General of India (RGI).
Facts/Terms for UPSC Prelims
- National Population Register (NPR): The NPR is a registry containing information about individuals residing in villages, rural areas, towns, wards, or demarcated areas. It serves to create a comprehensive database of usual residents in India, with updates made to incorporate changes due to birth, death, and migration. This database is critical for government planning and policy formulation.
- Citizenship Act, 1955: The Citizenship Act of 1955 is a legal framework that governs matters related to citizenship in India. It lays down the rules and regulations concerning Indian citizenship, including provisions for acquisition, termination, and the rights and duties of citizens.
- House Listing and Housing Operations: This term refers to the process of conducting a comprehensive survey to collect information about houses and their residents. It is usually carried out in conjunction with the Census to update data on housing conditions and demographics.
- Civil Registration System (CRS): The CRS is a centralized system established for the digital registration of births and deaths in India. It helps maintain accurate and up-to-date records, facilitating various government services and policy planning.