Archive · 9 Aug 2026
Kerala makes death cause certification mandatory in all urban bodies
The government in Kerala, a state in India, is now making a special paper mandatory for every death.
This paper is called a Medical Certification of Cause of Death, or MCCD for short.
It is a legal and medical document that explains exactly why someone died.
Doctors usually help write what happened to the person's body that led to their death.
The government thinks this information is very important for public health.
Knowing why people die helps health workers protect others from diseases.
The rule started on June 1, after the government gave a special order on May 28.
It applies to all 93 city and town bodies in Kerala.
Now, when people register a death at home or in a hospital, they need this certificate.
A government official named Divya S Iyer spoke about the new rule and why it matters.
The Kerala government made the Medical Certification of Cause of Death (MCCD) mandatory for all deaths registered in the state.
The order was issued on May 28 and took effect on June 1 in all 93 urban local bodies.
MCCD is the official legal and medical document that states the exact sequence of conditions and events leading to a person's death.
The scheme has been implemented in four of the six corporations — Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Kozhikode — and Alappuzha municipality.
The civil registration system in all urban bodies (6 corporations and 87 municipalities) now incorporates the cause of death certificate for both institutional and home deaths.
- Who
- The Kerala government, through its local self-government department (LSGD), with principal director Divya S Iyer overseeing the move.
- What
- Made the Medical Certification of Cause of Death (MCCD) mandatory for all deaths registered in the state.
- When
- Implemented since June 1, following an order issued on May 28.
- Where
- Kerala, India — across all 93 urban local bodies, including six corporations and 87 municipalities.
- Why
- The government expanded the scope of MCCD considering its importance to public health.
- Decision
- Medical Certification of Cause of Death (MCCD) made mandatory for all registered deaths
- Effective date
- June 1
- Order date
- May 28
- Coverage
- All 93 urban local bodies in Kerala
- Corporations covered
- Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Kozhikode
- Municipalities
- 87 municipalities, including Alappuzha
- Official quoted
- Divya S Iyer, principal director, local self-government department (LSGD)