Context:
Recently, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued the first set of citizenship certificates under the new Citizenship (Amendment) Act Rules.
More on the news:
- The union government has granted citizenship certificates to more than 300 people who applied under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), 2019.
- The country of origin of the applicants was not disclosed but most applicants are said to be Pakistani Hindus.
About the Citizenship (Amendment) Act:
- The Citizenship Act, of 1955 was amended to fast-track and facilitate citizenship through registration and naturalization under Section 6B of the CAA.
- The Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) of 2019 allows persecuted minorities from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, who arrived in India before December 31, 2014, to apply for Indian citizenship.
- These minorities include Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Parsi, and Christian communities.
- Previously, applicants needed 11 years of continuous residence to qualify; the CAA reduces this requirement to five years.
About the newly notified rules:
- The rules detailing the process for granting citizenship were only issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs in March 2024 enabling the implementation of the CAA, more than four years after the act was enacted.
- These rules specify the application process and eligibility criteria.
Procedure involved for citizenship:
- The rules give the empowered committee, led by the Director of Census Operations, the ultimate authority to grant citizenship.
- Meanwhile, a district-level committee, headed by officials from the Department of Post, reviews applications submitted online on the portal.
- After verifying the documents, these district-level committees administer the oath of allegiance to the constitution of India to persons who qualify all the criteria.
Eligibility and Documents required:
- To apply for citizenship under new rules, eligible individuals can use the online portal:- ‘indiancitizenshiponline.nic.in’ or the mobile app provided.
- They need to fill out an online form, upload the required documents, and pay a fee of Rs. 50.
- Required documents:
- Required documents include proof of religious identity, nationality from the home country, proof of entry before December 31st, 2014, and an affidavit declaring nationality and religion. Additional documents may be needed depending on the applicant’s situation.
Processing and Verification:
- Applications will be reviewed by district and state-level committees, and applicants must attend in-person verification with original documents.
- Successful applicants will receive digital certificates of registration, with the citizenship effective from their first entry into India. Physical copies of certificates can also be requested.