In a sweeping administrative move aimed at tightening compliance and preventing document misuse, the Maharashtra government has ordered a comprehensive review and cancellation of all birth and death certificates issued in violation of the legally mandated Standard Operating Procedures (SoP). The directive, issued through a detailed government resolution (GR) by the Revenue and Forest Department, mandates an immediate and statewide verification of irregular, delayed, or insufficiently documented certificates. This major overhaul comes amid rising concerns of fraudulent registrations, procedural lapses, and potential misuse of identity documents in the state’s civic registration system.

The government has particularly emphasised that Aadhaar cards cannot be used as standalone proof for recording or altering birth-related information. This correction follows multiple reports of Aadhaar being misused to manipulate birth dates, obtain backdated certificates, and establish artificial residency or citizenship claims. The GR marks a major shift in enforcement by insisting that every certificate must be backed by verifiable documentary evidence, such as hospital records, school admission documents, or original entries in birth registers.

High-Risk Districts Identified for Large-Scale Irregularities

Fourteen districts—among them Amravati, Jalna, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Latur, Akola, Parbhani, Beed, and Nashik—have been flagged for unusually high volumes of delayed or suspicious certificates. Local authorities in these areas have been instructed to conduct reconciliation drives, retrieve improperly issued certificates from beneficiaries, and initiate fresh verification.

Officials have also been directed to coordinate across multiple administrative layers, including municipal corporations, councils, tehsildars, and district collectors, to ensure all questionable certificates are identified and reassessed. The reconciliation effort is intended not only to weed out procedural lapses but also to detect possible intentional manipulation or forgery.

Aadhaar No Longer Sufficient Proof for Birth Information

A significant focus of the GR is the misuse of Aadhaar as a primary document for birth verification. The state government has clarified that Aadhaar was never intended to serve as proof of birth, and its use in altering or creating birth entries violates the Registration of Births and Deaths Act. Citing cases where Aadhaar-linked birth dates conflicted with declared dates, the government has ordered officials to immediately lodge police complaints when such discrepancies are discovered.

Where fraud or deliberate manipulation is suspected, officials are required to file First Information Reports (FIRs) and pursue legal action. By reinforcing this measure, the government aims to restore integrity to the Civil Registration System, which plays a foundational role in identity verification, access to government services, and electoral roll maintenance.

Legal Framework After the 2023 Amendment

The GR draws its authority from the August 11, 2023 amendment to the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, which tightened the rules governing delayed registrations. Under the amended law, only tehsildars, sub-divisional officers, and district collectors have the authority to issue delayed birth or death certificates. However, the state has found that several certificates were issued without involvement or authorization from these authorities, suggesting procedural violations or intentional bypassing of due process.

Certificates issued under such irregular circumstances must now be withdrawn and scrutinized afresh by the competent authority. Entries that fail to meet legal criteria must be deleted from the Civil Registration System portal, ensuring that digital records are aligned with verified, lawful documentation.

Coordinated Enforcement by Revenue, Health, and Police Departments

The GR calls for coordinated action across multiple departments. Revenue authorities, municipal bodies, and health officials have been instructed to work together to retrieve certificates that were issued without proper procedure. If beneficiaries refuse to surrender cancelled certificates, officials must seek police assistance. In cases where applicants are untraceable or believed to have absconded, lists must be prepared and legal action initiated.

The state government has mandated that district collectors convene one-day review meetings with representatives from revenue departments, local bodies, and police authorities. These sessions will serve as checkpoints to assess departmental progress, iron out procedural challenges, and ensure uniform implementation of the GR across Maharashtra. District collectors are also required to submit periodic progress reports in a prescribed format, enabling the government to monitor compliance and track the effectiveness of the clean-up drive.

Political Context and Concerns of Citizenship Fraud

The GR gains additional significance in the context of political allegations concerning illegal immigration. BJP leader Kirit Somaiya has repeatedly raised concerns about Bangladeshi nationals obtaining delayed birth certificates in Maharashtra to falsely establish Indian citizenship. While the GR does not explicitly name these cases as a trigger for the new policy, the timing and strict verification measures reflect an effort to curb the misuse of civil registration documents for identity manipulation.

The issue is particularly sensitive as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is underway in nine states and three Union Territories. Maharashtra is scheduled to begin its revision exercise in February. Birth certificates are key documents in determining electoral eligibility, and irregularities in these records could directly influence voter rolls. The GR, therefore, serves both as an administrative reform and as a safeguard to protect the integrity of the electoral process.

Ensuring Transparency and Accountability in Civil Registration

The government’s decision to enforce rigorous verification protocols reflects broader concerns about the reliability of civil registration data. Birth and death certificates form the backbone of essential services, from education and healthcare to pensions, welfare, and voting rights. Any manipulation of these records can have widespread consequences—affecting governance, demographic data accuracy, and public trust.

By prioritising the cancellation of improperly issued certificates, the Maharashtra government aims to bring transparency, accountability, and legal consistency to the registration system. The GR signals a departure from previous practices where procedural gaps and unchecked document acceptance created opportunities for misuse.

Going forward, the revised procedures are expected to reduce fraudulent registrations, improve data accuracy, and streamline administrative coordination. For applicants, it may mean stricter documentation requirements, but the government views these measures as essential to maintaining credibility in the state’s identity infrastructure.

The large-scale review, combined with strong enforcement mechanisms and police coordination, suggests that Maharashtra is preparing for a long-term overhaul of its civil registration regime. As district-level actions unfold in the coming weeks, the effectiveness of this initiative will depend on the transparency of verification drives and the willingness of local bodies to correct past lapses.