GHMC Adopts New System for Birth and Death Certificate Issuance

The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) is set to implement the Registrar General of India’s new Civil Registration System (CRS) for the issuance of birth and death certificates. This decision aims to reduce irregularities in the current system and enhance the management of vital records within the city.

New Requirements and Processes

Under the new CRS framework, which is already operational in several Indian states including Andhra Pradesh, Assam, and Uttar Pradesh, the submission of Aadhaar numbers will be mandatory for Indian citizens applying for birth certificates. This marks a significant shift from the current practice where various proofs of identity are accepted without the need for Aadhaar. For refugees, the process will require the submission of a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) identification number.

While the application process will largely remain unchanged, with applicants continuing to use the MeeSeva platform to apply and collect their certificates, the internal processing will see modifications. Currently, GHMC forwards applications to the state government’s Centre for Good Governance (CGG). Under CRS, these applications will be sent to the Central government’s National Informatics Centre (NIC) portal after being collected by MeeSeva.

Impact on Processing Times

The transition to the CRS is expected to increase the time taken to process applications. Presently, GHMC issues birth certificates within a day; however, under the new system, this is likely to extend to approximately one week. This change reflects the need for additional steps in verifying and processing applications through the central system.

The GHMC’s adoption of the CRS represents a move towards a more standardized and secure method of handling vital records. As the initiative rolls out, officials anticipate a smoother and more reliable process for residents seeking official documentation of births and deaths.