Recently, the Registrar General of India (RGI) published reports on registered births and deaths  after a five year gap. 

• The reports are – Vital Statistics of India based on the Civil Registration System for the year 2021 and the other report on the Medical Certification of the Cause of Death 2021

What are Civil Registration Reports?

• Nodal ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs.
• Legal framework: In India, this system is legally mandated by the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969,
• Purpose of Civil Registration Reports
  • Tracking population trends (birth rates, death rates, etc.).
  • Planning healthcare services, family welfare programs, and maternal and child health policies.
  • Analyzing mortality rates, including causes of death and their medical certification.
  • Improving government policies related to demographic and public health management.
• Major Reports:
  • Vital Statistics of India based on the Civil Registration System (CRS): Provides data on the number of registered births and deaths each year.
  • Sample Registration System (SRS) Statistical Report: Gives estimated birth and death rates, including unregistered events, using a sample survey.
  • Medical Certification of Cause of Death (MCCD): Gives information on medically certified causes behind registered deaths.

About Registrar General of India (RGI)

• It is a government official and head of the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (ORGI). 
• Operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• Founded: 1949 by the Government of India.
• Administrative structure: RGI is a civil servant of Joint Secretary rank.
• Key functions:
  • Conducts census to collect data related to population statistics like size, growth, and distribution every 10 years. 
  • Implements Registration of Births and Deaths (RBD) Act, 1969.
  • Organised demographic and linguistic surveys for understanding the diversity of the population. 

Key Findings of the Report

• Report 1: ‘Vital Statistics of India based on the Civil Registration System for the year 2021
  • Registered deaths: The total registered deaths increased from 81.2 lakh in 2020 to 102.2 lakh in 2021—a 26% rise.
  • In 2019, the registered deaths were 75.9 lakh (7.59 million).
• Report 2:Medical Certification of the Cause of Death 2021
  • COVID-19 deaths increased from 1,60,618 in 2020 to 4,13,580 in 2021.
  • The total medically certified deaths in 2021 were 23.95 lakh—an increase of 5.83 lakh compared to 2020.
  • The report depicts a total of 5,74,198 COVID-19 deaths in 2020 and 2021.
    • 2021: COVID-19 was the second leading cause of death.
    • 2020: It was the third leading cause of death in 2020.
  • Birth Registration Trends
    • The number of registered births slightly decreased by 0.1%.
    • Birth registrations were 242.2 lakh in 2020, dropping to 242 lakh in 2021.
  • States with Major Rise in Deaths : UP, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, MP, Karnataka, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and others.

Note: According to the above two reports, India recorded over 1 crore deaths in 2021 which was 21 lakh more deaths than in 2020.