Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai introduced the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha. The Bill seeks to amend the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969. The Bill provides that if a birth or death is reported to the Registrar more than one year but within two years after its occurrence, it may be registered only with the approval of the District Magistrate, Sub-Divisional Magistrate or an Executive Magistrate authorised by the District Magistrate, following verification of the authenticity of the birth or death.

The Bill further states that if a birth or death is reported to the Registrar after more than two years, it will be registered only on the order of a Judicial Magistrate of the First Class. As per the existing Act, registration of births and deaths is mandatory, and the certificate issued under the Act provides legal identity to an individual. The new Bill has been brought to make provisions for delayed registration more stringent and to encourage timely reporting of births and deaths.