Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026, passed in Lok Sabha

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Jul 31, 2026: The Lok Sabha on Friday passed the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026 by voice vote amid Opposition protests over the alleged police crackdown on students during the July 20 Parliament march. The legislation was cleared without a debate as Opposition members continued sloganeering in the House.

The bill was taken up after the House reassembled at noon with BJP MP Dilip Saikia in the Chair. As the Opposition demanded the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah and several members trooped into the Well of the House, the bill was passed by voice vote.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju criticised the Opposition for refusing to participate in the discussion, saying the government had wanted a debate on the "important Bill."

"It is unfortunate. Please do not repeat this in the future. People who sent you to Parliament will seek answers from you," Rijiju said, urging Opposition members to engage in discussions on future legislation instead of disrupting proceedings.

Chairperson Dilip Saikia also termed it "unfortunate" that the legislation had to be passed without the Opposition’s cooperation. The House was adjourned for the day shortly after the bill was passed.

The amendment seeks to strengthen the process of delayed registration of births and deaths under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, with the objective of encouraging timely reporting of vital events.

A key provision of the bill requires an order from a Judicial Magistrate First Class for registering births or deaths more than two years after the event. Under the existing law, registrations delayed by more than one year require approval from a District Magistrate, Sub-Divisional Magistrate or an authorised Executive Magistrate. The amended law retains this provision for delays of up to two years.

The bill, which was approved for introduction by the Union Cabinet on July 20, also updates legal terminology by replacing references to the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, with the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.

With its passage in the Lok Sabha, the government has secured another legislative approval during the Monsoon Session despite repeated disruptions. Earlier, Parliament cleared the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026 will now be taken up for consideration in the Rajya Sabha.

Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha also approved an extension for the Joint Parliamentary Committee examining the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025, allowing it to submit its report by the first day of the last week of the Winter Session.