The Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill 2026 now mandates judicial magistrate orders for birth registrations delayed over two years; executive magistrates handle shorter delays. This change stems from the 2023 Bill making birth certificates primary ID, increasing fraud. Passed without Lok Sabha debate, it insulates administration but complicates error rectification for disadvantaged persons. The author criticizes unchanged evidentiary rules and inadequate justification for the two-year judicial intervention. The government's focus on document assurance risks wrongly excluding legitimate citizens. Rajya Sabha debate with clear evidence is crucial for these policy trade-offs.