New Delhi, Aug. 4 : The Rajya Sabha on Tuesday passed the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026 by a voice vote amid persistent protests by Opposition members, who demanded the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and raised slogans over the alleged theft of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
The Bill amends the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, making it mandatory to obtain an order from a Judicial Magistrate First Class for registration of births or deaths reported more than two years after the event.
Under the existing law, delayed registrations beyond one year require approval from a District Magistrate, Sub-Divisional Magistrate or an authorised Executive Magistrate. The amended legislation retains this provision for registrations delayed up to two years, while imposing stricter judicial oversight for cases exceeding that period.
Replying to the debate, Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said the legislation would strengthen the registration system and ensure that every birth and death in the country is officially recorded.
He said the government was committed to preventing irregularities in electoral rolls by ensuring that deceased persons do not continue to remain registered as “ghost voters.” Rai also accused the Congress of mishandling birth and death registration systems in the past, a charge rejected by Opposition members.
The Bill was taken up after the House reassembled following multiple adjournments. While several NDA members supported the legislation, Opposition MPs continued raising slogans and insisted that the Home Minister should be present during the discussion.
Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge said Parliament was not functioning properly and demanded that both the Prime Minister and the Home Minister attend the proceedings for a discussion.
The Bill had already been passed by the Lok Sabha last week and will become law after receiving the President’s assent.
