Kerala introduces Nativity Card as new identity doc; bill sent to Subject Committee
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Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala has come up with a new identity document for natives of the state, i.e. the Nativity Card. The Kerala Nativity Card Bill -2026 to be issued by the state government, which certifies that a person is a Keralite, has been sent to the Subject Committee of the State Assembly. The bill was introduced in the House on Monday (February 23) by Revenue Minister K. Rajan. Howevr the Opposition was not present in the house due to their boycott of the proceedings regarding the alleged gold theft from Sabarimala.
The nativity card will be issued based on the model of the nativity certificate currently issued and is epected to replace the certificate. The new card will be accepted as an authentic document that can be used for various services and social needs of the state government. Minister Rajan said the Bill will allow people to “proudly identify themselves as Keralites” through the formal issuance of the card.
Those who have acquired foreign citizenship will not be eligible for the card. The moment they acquire foreign citizenship after receiving the card, it will become invalid. Those born abroad (those who have not acquired foreign citizenship) when their parents or ancestors are outside Kerala due to employment or other reasons related to livelihood will also be considered natives.
The card will be issued by the Tahsildar, but the register in this regard will be kept in the village office. In addition to the existing information, the information prescribed by the government from time to time will be included in the nativity card. The government will have the power to issue a notification to use the nativity card as an authentic document along with other documents for the purposes of various departments. The bill also provides for a punishment of imprisonment for up to three months or a fine of up to Rs 5,000 or both for providing false information for the card.
The Nativity Card will include basic information such as the holder’s name, photo, date of birth, and other details as decided by the government. It is intended to be used like an official identity document for state services and social requirements.
The introduction of the concept of a Nativity Card has also sparked political debates and the Opposition has already questioned its timing. In the wake of the SIR exercise of updating voter database, this may trigger a question whether the new card will be treated as a proof of citizenship by the Election Commission of India, although it is clearly accepted as one of the proofs of identity to vote at the polling booths.