RGI Warns Hospitals: Report Births and Deaths on Time or Face Penalties
The Registrar General of India (RGI) has issued a firm warning to hospitals across the country, urging them to report births and deaths within the mandatory 21-day window. This follows reports of widespread non-compliance by both private and government medical facilities, which is stalling India’s push for universal registration of these vital events.
Registration Falling Short of 100% Goal
In a circular dated March 17, 2025, the RGI noted that while 90% of births and deaths are currently registered, the target of 100% remains unmet. The primary culprit? Many hospitals are failing to report these events as required by the Registration of Birth and Death (RBD) Act. Some wait for relatives to request registration, while others instruct families to handle it themselves. In certain cases, private hospitals outright refuse to report, leaving the process incomplete.
‘Negligence Attracts Fine’
The RGI, operating under the Union Home Ministry, emphasized that failing to register births and deaths is a punishable offense. Under Section 23(2) of the RBD Act, amended in 2023, negligence by registrars can lead to fines. Since October 1, 2023, the law mandates that all such events be logged on the Centre’s online portal under the Civil Registration System (CRS). Government hospitals, designated as registrars, bear direct responsibility for compliance, yet many are falling short.
The centralized CRS database isn’t just paperwork—it’s key to updating the National Population Register (NPR), ration cards, property records, and electoral rolls, making timely reporting critical.
Certificates in Seven Days
Beyond reporting, the RGI has directed registrars to issue birth and death certificates within seven days of registration. Since October 1, 2023, the digital birth certificate has become the sole proof of date of birth for services like school admissions, government jobs, and marriage registration. However, delays persist. Some registrars fail to enter data into the portal promptly, leaving applications pending and frustrating the public.
No Vital Stats Since 2020
Adding to the challenge, the RGI has not published the Vital Statistics of India Based on the Civil Registration System or The Report on Medical Certification of Cause of Death since 2020, with the last reports covering 2019 data. The decadal Census, last conducted in 2011, has been pending since 2021. In its absence, civil registration data remains a vital tool for tracking population trends—provided hospitals comply.
A Call to Action
The RGI’s circular is a clear message: hospitals must step up to meet legal and civic obligations. With universal registration in sight, their cooperation is non-negotiable.