Context and Importance
- Civil Registration System (CRS): Registers births and deaths under the Registration of Births and Deaths (RBD) Act, 1969.
- Vital Source of Data: With the decadal Census delayed since 2021, CRS data has become crucial for estimating population trends and policy planning.
- Legal Mandate: All hospitals (government and private) are required to report births and deaths within 21 days.
Relevance : GS 2(Health , Governance)
Key Issue Identified by RGI
- Delayed Reporting: Many hospitals are not promptly reporting events of birth and death as per law.
- Shifting Responsibility: Some hospitals wait for relatives to initiate the registration or ask them to report it themselves — violating the law.
- Low Compliance Among Private Hospitals: Instances cited where private hospitals outright deny responsibility.
Impact of Delayed Reporting
- Incomplete Data: Impacts accuracy of demographic statistics, especially when Census data is unavailable.
- Policy Blind Spots: Affects schemes for healthcare, child welfare, maternal health, mortality tracking, pension distribution, insurance, etc.
- Undermines Universal Registration Goal: Although registration levels are at ~90%, the target of 100% registration remains unmet.
Legal and Administrative Implications
- RBD Act 1969 (Amended 2023):
- Mandates registration on a central portal.
- Hospitals designated as registrars under the Act.
- Section 23(2): Negligence by a registrar (hospital) in registering births/deaths is punishable with a fine.
- Administrative Directive: RGI issued a March 17 circular to all States highlighting the issue and reiterating compliance.
Systemic Gaps and Governance Issues
- Lack of Awareness/Training: Especially in private hospitals and rural health units.
- Digital Divide: Some areas may face technical issues accessing the central portal.
- Incentive Misalignment: Hospitals may see registration as non-core responsibility.
- Weak Enforcement: Limited mechanisms to monitor or penalize defaulters effectively.
Way Forward
- Strict Enforcement & Penalties: States must penalize non-compliant institutions under the amended RBD Act.
- Capacity Building: Regular training of hospital staff, especially registrars, on registration protocols.
- Public Awareness Campaigns: Inform citizens about their right to automatic registration and the responsibility of hospitals.
- Digitization Push: Ensure tech infrastructure and connectivity across institutions for seamless reporting.
- Regular Monitoring: Monthly audits by district administration or Health Departments on registration status.
Why This Matters :
- Accurate birth/death data aids:
- Infant/Maternal mortality estimation
- Life expectancy calculations
- Poverty and migration trends
- Health and demographic indicators
- It ensures transparent, evidence-based policymaking in the absence of decadal Census.
