The Civil Registration System (CRS)

What is the Civil Registration System (CRS)? 

• CRS may be defined as a unified process of continuous, permanent, compulsory and universal recording of the vital events(births, deaths, stillbirths) and characteristics thereof, as per legal requirements in the country.
• In 1886 a Central Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act was promulgated to provide for voluntary registration throughout British India. 
• Currently, the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 provides for the compulsory registration of births and deaths.
• The Registrar General, India (RGI) at the Central Government level coordinates and unifies the activities of registration throughout the country. 
• However, implementation of the statute is vested with the State Governments. 
• The registration of births and deaths in the country is done by the functionaries appointed by the State Governments. 
• Directorate of Census Operations are the subordinate offices of the Office of the Registrar General, India and these offices are responsible for monitoring the working of the Act in their concerned State/UT.
• The Act mandates the use of uniform birth and death reporting forms and certificates throughout the country.
• The RGI that functions under the MHA has proposed amendments to the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 that will enable it to “maintain the database of registered birth and deaths at the national level.”
• According to the proposed amendments, the database may be used to update the Population Register, Electoral Register, Aadhar, Ration Card, Passport and Driving License databases.
• The registration of birth and death is mandatory under the RBD Act and the Chief Registrar is mandated to publish a statistical report on the registered births and deaths during the year.
• Presently, the online software available on www.crsorgi.gov.in is operational in 22 States and Union Territories.

Activities of Joint Registrar Generals/ Assistant Registrar Generals-

• The RGI has notified the Directors of Census Operations as Joint Registrar Generals and Joint/Deputy Directors of the Directorates as Assistant Registrar Generals under the RBD act, 1969 to discharge the functions in carrying out the following activities under supervision of the RGI:
• Coordination with the State Government on behalf of the RGI.
• Monitoring of implementation of various provisions of the RBD Act, 1969.
• Publicity on importance of birth and death registration at the local level.
• Providing assistance to the Chief Registrars for conduct of training to the registration functionaries working under the system of Civil Registration and for preservation and maintenance of legal CR records.
• Modernization of the registration system in the State by way of computerization.
• Monthly meeting with the Chief Registrars.
• To ensure monthly meetings at district level.
• Regular inspections of Registration Units under the system of Civil Registration, at least once in a month.