Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS)

Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) : Recently, governments across Asia and the Pacific pledged to achieve universal birth and death registration by 2030. This commitment was formalized at the Third Ministerial Conference on Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) held in Bangkok, Thailand.

• About CRVS : Refers to the continuous, permanent, compulsory, and universal recording of key life events such as births, deaths, marriages, and divorces, as defined by the United Nations. Its importance can be understood through the following points:

o CRVS records form the legal identity of individuals, beginning with birth registration.

o Birth registration is crucial for accessing healthcare, education, and social protection services.

o It facilitates inheritance processes, insurance claims, and demographic planning.

o Accurate birth and marriage registration helps prevent child marriage, human trafficking, and modern slavery by verifying age and identity.

• CRVS Decade Progress (2014–2024): Launched by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), under the slogan “Get Everyone in the Picture.”

o According to ESCAP's latest review: The number of unregistered children under 5 has dropped from 135 million in 2012 to 51 million in 2024—a 60% reduction.

o 29 countries have achieved over 90% birth registration rates.

o 30 countries have met the same benchmark for death registration.

• India's CRVS Scenario: Managed by Registrar General and Census Commissioner, supported by Ministry of Health.

o Birth registration increased from 86% to over 96% in a decade.

o Launch of a central CRVS portal and integration with DigiLocker for secure storage of digital certificates.