Suvendu Adhikari-led West Bengal government announced sweeping changes to its birth and death registration system following alarming revelations about the widespread circulation of fraudulent birth certificates across the state. At a cabinet meeting, the administration approved the draft of the West Bengal Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Rules, 2026, introducing stricter regulations aimed at curbing corruption and enhancing transparency in the issuance of official documents.
The move comes amid growing concerns over the alleged misuse of fake birth certificates to facilitate illegal activities, including attempts by infiltrators to establish identity and residency in the state. Officials believe the unchecked spread of such documents has the potential to trigger a deeper internal security crisis while quietly influencing demographic patterns over time.
Under the revised rules, the government will transition to a fully digitised system for storing birth and death records. The new framework is expected to bring greater accountability by ensuring transparency not only in certificate issuance but also in the appeals process.
Data presented during the review highlight the scale of the issue. In North Dinajpur district alone, as many as 58,509 fake birth certificates were detected over the past year. Similar irregularities were reported in other border districts, including North 24 Parganas (19,709 cases), Malda (16,712), and Murshidabad (8,138), raising serious concerns within administrative and political circles.
Allegations have surfaced that thousands of such certificates were issued in exchange for money during the tenure of the previous government led by Mamata Banerjee. In some cases, manipulation of records reportedly led to deceased individuals being shown as alive in official documents. Authorities claim these forged certificates were often used as a means to establish citizenship credentials.
The ruling BJP has repeatedly flagged the issue, alleging a broader attempt to alter the state’s demographic profile through fraudulent documentation.
Following the cabinet meeting, State Urban Development Minister Agnimitra Paul underscored the government’s firm stance on the matter. She said the Chief Minister had issued clear instructions for strict action against those involved in the racket and directed police authorities to ensure that no complaints are suppressed.
“If any complaint arises, it must be registered, an FIR filed, and the matter handled properly without concealment,” she stated.
The government has indicated that stringent punitive measures will be enforced against individuals found guilty of issuing or facilitating fake certificates. Officials say the reforms mark the first major administrative step in dismantling the network behind the racket and restoring integrity to the state’s civil registration system.
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