RGI: India’s Data Authority

RGI Cautions Hospitals: The Registrar General of India (RGI) has warned government and private hospitals for failing to report births and deaths promptly, violating the Registration of Births and Deaths (RBD) Act, 1969.

Reporting Delay: Many hospitals delay reporting births and deaths, waiting for relatives to request it or directing relatives to report themselves.

Legal Requirement: Hospitals are legally obligated to report birth and death events within 21 days as per the RBD Act. Negligence in registration attracts a fine under Section 23(2).

Universal Registration Goal: While 90% of birth/death events are registered, the RGI aims for 100% universal registration.

Civil Registration System (CRS): Government hospitals act as registrars under the CRS, using the central online portal.

Digital Birth Certificate: Since October 1, 2023, a digital birth certificate serves as the single document for proving date of birth for various services.

Certificate Issuance Time: The RGI has instructed registrars to issue birth and death certificates within seven days.

Data Integration: The centralized database will update the National Population Register (NPR), ration cards, property registration, and electoral rolls.

Vital Statistics Delay: The RGI has not released vital statistics reports since 2020, impacting population estimation.