How India counts its dead
The Indian government released the 2024 Civil Registration System report, highlighting significant progress in the digital recording of births and deaths. Recent amendments to the 1969 Act have modernized the system, introducing electronic certificates and centralized databases.
Why it matters
Accurate vital statistics are essential for effective public policy, resource allocation, and the functioning of legal identity systems.
On July 1, 2026, the Government of India released the Civil Registration System (CRS) Report 2024, an important milestone in measuring the country’s progress in recording births, deaths and stillbirths. Civil registration is the continuous, permanent and compulsory recording of vital events. While the United Nations framework includes births, deaths, foetal deaths, marriages, divorces and adoptions, India’s legal framework is narrower. The Registration of Births and Deaths (RBD) Act, 1969 covers births, deaths and stillbirths, while marriages and divorces are governed under separate laws.
The article provides a factual overview of legislative history and statistical reporting without political bias.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in