Birth Registration in Eight EAG States of India – As seen through Annual Health Survey

Bihar

About 56 percent of births were registered in Bihar (AHS, 2010-11), it being 55 percent in rural and 75 percent in urban. Based on this, only 23 percent were reported to be having birth certificates in Bihar (22 percent in rural and 32 percent in urban).  Thus, over 40% of the births registered in Urban Bihar are not being provided with any certificate to that effect.  The system of birth registration is one of the worst among the EAG states.  Government should see more closely to know the reasons for people not going for birth registration in this highly populated rural state of India.  Delivery of birth certificates may have to be strengthened and streamlined. This may further boost the registration process.  This process is very vital in making predictions of yearly population between two censuses of this thickly populated state of India.  This state is having the highest density among the major states of India.

Jharkhand

About 46 percent of births were registered in Jharkhand (AHS, 2010-11), it being 38 percent in rural and 74 percent in urban. Based on this, 24 percent were reported to be having birth certificates in Jharkhand (17 percent in rural and 44 percent in urban). Thus, about 30% of the births registered in Urban Jharkhand are not being provided with any certificate.

Madhya Pradesh

About 78 percent of births were registered in Madhya Pradesh (AHS, 2010-11), it being 75 percent in rural and 86 percent in urban. Based on this, 62 percent were reported to be having birth certificates in Madhya Pradesh (57 percent in rural and 77 percent in urban).  Compliance to this requirement of administration is much better as compared to Bihar and Jharkhand.

Chhattisgarh

About 82 percent of births were registered in Chhattisgarh (AHS, 2010-11), it being 80 percent in rural and 91 percent in urban. Based on this, 41 percent were reported to be having birth certificates in Chhattisgarh (35 percent in rural and 70 percent in urban).  Compliance to this requirement of administration is much better as compared to Bihar, Jharkhand and even its parent state: Madhya Pradesh.

Odisha

About 84 percent of births were registered in Odisha (AHS, 2010-11), it being 83 percent in rural and 90 percent in urban. Based on this, 30 percent were reported to be having birth certificates in Odisha (27 percent in rural and 52 percent in urban).  Compliance to this requirement of administration is much better as compared to its neighboring states of Bihar and Jharkhand.

Rajasthan

About 75 percent of births were registered in Rajasthan (AHS, 2010-11), it being 73 percent in rural and 86 percent in urban. Based on this, 43 percent were reported to be having birth certificates in Rajasthan (39 percent in rural and 60 percent in urban).  Delivery of birth certificates may have to be streamlined and this will further boost the registration process. 

Uttar Pradesh

About 47 percent of births were registered in Uttar Pradesh (AHS, 2010-11), it being 45 percent in rural and 56 percent in urban. Based on this, 18 percent were reported to be having birth certificates in Uttar Pradesh (14 percent in rural and 35 percent in urban).  The system of birth registration is the worst among the EAG states.  Government should see more closely to know the reasons for not going for birth registration in this largest state of India.  Delivery of birth certificates may have to be strengthened and streamlined. This may further boost the registration process.  This process is very vital in making predictions of yearly population between two censuses of this thickly populated state of India.

Uttarakhand

About 67 percent of births were registered in Uttarakhand (AHS, 2010-11), it being 64 percent in rural and 75 percent in urban. Based on this, 38 percent were reported to be having birth certificates in Uttarakhand (31 percent in rural and 57 percent in urban).  This state is progressing much better in complying the assigned administrative processes that its parent state i.e. Uttar Pradesh.