News of Bharat Ranga Reddy highlights transparency in birth and death registrations. To enhance transparency in birth and death registrations, the Central Government has introduced a significant legislative amendment.

The government published (1) the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Act, 2026 in the official gazette.

Registrations sought more than one year but within two years of the birth or death require an order from a District Magistrate (DM), Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), or an appointed Executive Magistrate. The registrar may complete the registration process only after receiving such authorization.

If more than two years have elapsed since the birth or death, it will no longer be possible to obtain a certificate directly from the registration office. In such cases, a court order from a First-Class Judicial Magistrate with appropriate jurisdiction must be obtained.

Following the court order, and upon payment of the prescribed fee, officials will conduct a field-level inquiry into the evidence and details submitted. A birth or death certificate will be issued only after the information is verified as authentic.

These certificates are crucial for purposes such as Aadhaar enrollment, admission to educational institutions, transfer of property, inheritance rights, insurance claims, and accessing government welfare schemes. That is why it is advised to register a birth or death with the local authorities immediately after it occurs.