My sister got admission in Kendriya Vidyalaya--government run central school under Kendriya Vidyalaya sangathan-- in class one in 2002. At the time of admission, the school insisted on retaining the original birth certificate, issued by the registrar births and deaths.
KV school authorities across the country are refusing to return the original birth certificates to the students/ parents--arguing that a birth certificate (issued by the school as per office records)/ transfer certificate/ marksheet are sufficient to prove age. KV schools also point out that KV sangathan has issused a circular asking schools under it to retain the original birth certificates.
1. Who is the legal custodian of any original document such as birth certificate? school or the parents ?
2. Can any school or any educational institution indefinitely retain original birth certificate and whether such a circular can be challenged?