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Kolkata civic body issues 12,823 birth and death certificates in 4 months amid SIR

The KMC has also introduced chatbot-based appointments via WhatsApp and set up dedicated counters at the S N Banerjee Road headquarters

2 min readKolkataDec 19, 2025 02:56 PM IST

Nearly 2,000 certificates were issued directly by the KMC headquarters, while 8,291 birth and 2,505 death certificates were processed through borough offices. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) issued 12,823 certificates between August 9 and December 9, according to data released by the civic body during the ongoing revision of the electoral rolls.

“The civic body issued a total of 12,823 certificates to residents across the city during this period,” said an official.

The volume of “late-entry” applications — for births or deaths registered decades ago — has strained archival and verification systems. The sharp rise in applications for these certificates is linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, with thousands of residents seeking documents as proof of identity and residence for verification hearings.

Of the total certificates issued, 9,617 were birth certificates and 3,206 death certificates.

The data also reflects the impact of decentralisation. Nearly 2,000 certificates were issued directly by the KMC headquarters, while 8,291 birth and 2,505 death certificates were processed through borough offices.

Births or deaths occurring within one year are handled by borough offices, while cases older than a year require verification at the headquarters.

In response to complaints about difficulties in securing application slots, Mayor Firhad Hakim recently directed the health wing to increase capacity. The slot limit has been raised from 150 to between 500 and 1,000 per day.

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To manage the surge, the KMC has also introduced chatbot-based appointments via WhatsApp (8335999111) and set up dedicated counters at the S N Banerjee Road headquarters for manual submissions and immediate verification.

“Headquarters now assist with manual submissions and immediate document verification. Employees from other municipal departments have been temporarily deputed to the health wing to manage the heavy footfall,” an official said.

Sweety Kumari

Sweety Kumari is a seasoned journalist reporting from West Bengal for The Indian Express. With over a decade of experience in the media industry and eight years specifically with The Indian Express, she demonstrates considerable Expertise and Authority across a diverse range of critical beats. Experience & Authority Current Role: Journalist, The Indian Express, reporting from West Bengal. Extensive Tenure: Over 10 years of experience in the media industry, with a long association (8 years) with The Indian Express, contributing to a high level of Trustworthiness. Diverse Coverage: Covers crucial beats including Crime, Defence, Health, and Politics, alongside writing on trending topics. Investigative Focus: Possesses a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories, demonstrating depth and skill in impactful journalism. Beat Versatility: Has honed her craft across diverse beats, including aviation and reporting on various incidents, ensuring well-rounded and comprehensive reportage. Career Start: Began her journalistic journey as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a news portal in Kolkata, providing a foundational understanding of media landscape and audience engagement. Education Advanced Education: Holds a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University, equipping her with advanced media theory and skills. Undergraduate Education: Holds an Honours degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College. Multilingual Skill: Her fluency in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili enhances her reach and capability to connect with diverse sources and communities in the region, adding a layer of accessibility and authenticity to her reporting. Regional Roots: Originally from Bihar, she was brought up and educated in Kolkata (Kendriya Vidyalaya Salt Lake), giving her a deep, personal understanding of the cultural and political nuances of her reporting region. Sweety Kumari's combination of significant experience, specialization in key beats like Crime and Politics, and strong academic background makes her a trusted and authoritative contributor to The Indian Express. ... Read More

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