What is Kerala’s Nativity Card Bill: Explained

The story so far: As State measures to determine identity and citizenship roil the country and result in sharp socio-politial polarisation, the Kerala government has gone ahead with its decision to introduce a ‘Nativity Card’ as a new document to prove residency.

The Cabinet recently cleared the Kerala Nativity Card Bill that seeks to give legal backing to the nativity card initiative for issuing an authoritative identity proof to Keralites. On Monday (February 23, 2026), the Kerala Assembly referred the Bill to the Subject Committee on Lane Revenue and Devaswom.

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The Bill was tabled in the current session of the Assembly, which resumed on Monday (February 23, 2026).

The proposal to introduce the Nativity Card, which had received the Cabinet’s in-principle approval on December 24, comes against the backdrop of the Election Commission of India’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll and the consequent concerns over citizenship.

The Revenue department in consultation with the Law department had been tasked with preparing a draft law to provide legal validity to the nativity card.

What is a nativity card?

The State government plans to roll out the nativity cards as a new identification document to establish one’s identity as a Keralite.

The card is modelled on the nativity certificate currently issued by the State’s Revenue department. However, the conditions for issuing nativity certificates have been stipulated only as per government order.

The nativity card that incorporates beneficiary photograph is conceived as an authoritative, legally valid, permanent identity proof that fosters a sense of pride in being both an Indian and a Keralite.

What are the aims and the benefits of the nativity card?

The government intends to issue the nativity cards to all people born in the State. It will be used to access State government services, assistance, and other “social requirements,” and so can be used as a beneficiary identification document.

The nativity cards are pitched as a consolidated document that will replace the nativity certificates, which currently have to be obtained time and again whenever a requirement arises.

Who can apply for a nativity card?

The Bill defines a ‘native’ as someone who was born in Kerala but has not accepted foreign citizenship or someone who has a Kerala-born ancestor who had not accepted foreign citizenship.

Individuals who have relinqushed citizenship will not be eligible for the card. If a person accepts foreign citizenship after receiving the card, the card will be null and void. People born outside Kerala to parents or ancestors who were outside the State for work or livelihood-related reasons and who have not received foreign citizenship will also be considered a ‘native.’

How to apply for a nativity card?

Applications for the card have to be submitted in the stipulated format to the office concerned along with supporting documents and fee.

The tahsildar is the designated authority for sanctioning the nativity card.

Action should be taken on the applications within a fixed time frame.

The card can be updated with information as required by the government from time to time. The cardholder can also apply for any entry change along with supporting documents to the tahsildar.

If a card is irrevocably lost, destroyed, damaged, or not fit for use, the tahsildar will conduct an investigation into an application of the card holder and issue a duplicate card subject to conditions and by charging a fee.

The tahsildar should maintain at the taluk office a register on the nativity cards issued with details.

How to appeal against decision?

Any appeals in the event of rejection of an application by the tahsildar can be submitted to the revenue divisional officer (RDO). Any complaints on the RDO’s order can be submitted to the District Collector as a revision petition. The Collector can review, modify, or cancel orders issued by the RDO after giving the applicant a reasonable opportunity to be heard.

The Kerala Nativity Card Bill proposes a punishment of up to three months or a fine up to ₹5,000 or both if an applicant furnishes information that is false or believed to be false.

What is the timeline for issuing the cards?

Once the Kerala Nativity Card Bill is passed by the Assembly, it will have to be signed by the Governor to become an Act. Rules will be framed then and the software for issuing the cards developed. The Kerala government hopes to begin issuing the cards before its term ends in a couple of months.