The Kerala Birth Card Bill proposes a punishment of up to three months or a fine of up to ₹5,000 or both if the applicant for the card provides information that is false or believed to be false.
Modeled on the birth certificate currently issued by the state revenue department, the birth certificate, which includes a photograph of the recipient, is intended as a new identification document to establish identity as a Keralite.
Against the backdrop of the Election Commission of India’s Extra Intensive Electoral Roll Review (SIR) and subsequent concerns about citizenship, the card is conceived as an authoritative, legally valid and permanent identity document.
The government intends to issue nativities to all people born in the state. It will be used to access state government services, assistance and other “welfare requirements”.
A person born in Kerala who has not taken foreign citizenship or someone who has an ancestor born in Kerala who has not taken foreign citizenship can apply for the card. People born outside Kerala to parents or ancestors who were outside the state for reasons related to work or livelihood and who did not acquire foreign citizenship will also be considered “natives”.
The Tahsildar is the designated authority for approving nativity scenes. The card may be updated from time to time with information required by the government. The cardholder can also apply for any change in entry along with supporting documents to the tahsildar.
Any appeal against the rejection of the application by the tahsildar can be made to the Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO). Any complaints against the order of the RDO can be submitted to the District Collector as a revision application.
Two months after the Cabinet approved in principle the proposal to introduce nativity scenes, the Kerala Nativity Scene Bill has been cleared and is likely to be tabled in the current Assembly session, which resumes on Monday. Once the bill is passed by the Assembly, it will need to be signed by the governor to become law. Then the rules will be established and the card issuing software will be developed. The Kerala government hopes to start issuing the cards before its term ends in a few months.
Published – 21 Feb 2026 20:59 IST
