CAA Rules: How To Apply For Citizenship, Eligibility Criteria To Cost And Documents Required; All FAQs Answered

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced the formation of empowered committees in states or Union territories for granting citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). As per the gazette notification issued on Monday, these committees will play a crucial role in processing citizenship applications. The new CAA rules allow non-Muslim migrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan fleeing religious persecution to apply for Indian citizenship. Here is the step-by-step process to apply for citizenship under CAA rules 2024:

Eligibility Criteria:

Individuals from Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, or Christian communities from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh who entered India on or before December 31, 2014, are eligible to seek citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

How To Apply For Citizenship?

Applications for Indian citizenship can be submitted online through the official website https://indiancitizenshiponline.nic.in. A mobile application, CAA-2019, is also under development for this purpose.

Grant of Citizenship Process

Applicants will file applications for registration as Indian citizens or grant of naturalization certificates under the rules specified. Verification of documents submitted by applicants will be conducted by the district-level committee.

The designated officer will administer the oath of allegiance to the applicant and forward the same, along with document verification confirmation, to the Empowered Committee. The Empowered Committee has the authority to scrutinize applications and may make inquiries deemed necessary, including obtaining reports from security agencies.

If satisfied with the applicant's suitability, the committee may grant citizenship and issue a certificate accordingly.

Categories for Application:

The online application process offers various categories under which an applicant can apply for Indian citizenship, including persons of Indian origin, minors of Indian citizens, individuals married to Indian citizens, and those seeking citizenship by naturalization.

Documents Required to apply for Citizenship under CAA

The rules have relaxed the requirements for proof of citizenship, allowing various documents to suffice. Applicants are no longer required to produce a passport of Pakistan, Bangladesh, or Afghanistan; instead, alternative documents indicating nationality will be accepted.

• Copy of passport issued by the government of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, or Pakistan
• Birth certificate issued by a government authority in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, or Pakistan
• Educational certificate from a school, college, board, or university in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, or Pakistan
• Identity documents issued by government authorities in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, or Pakistan
• Residential permit issued by the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer or Foreigners Registration Officer in India
• Any license issued by government authorities in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, or Pakistan
• Land or tenancy records in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, or Pakistan
• Any document demonstrating the applicant's lineage to parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents who were citizens of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, or Pakistan

Documents issued by government authorities in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, or Pakistan to establish the applicant's nationality, even if past the validity period, are considered valid for the citizenship process.

How to Prove Entry into India Before December 31, 2014:

To establish that the applicant entered India before the cutoff date of December 31, 2014, the following documents are required:

• Copy of the visa and immigration stamp upon arrival in India
• Registration certificate or residential permit issued by the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer or Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) in India
• Census enumerator's slip issued during surveys in India
• Government-issued license, certificate, or permit in India, including a driving license or Aadhaar card
• Ration card issued in India
• Official letter issued by the government or court to the applicant with an official stamp
• Birth certificate issued in India for the applicant
• Land or tenancy records or registered rental agreement in the name of the applicant in India
• PAN card with the date of issue
• Any document issued by the Central or State government, PSUs, or other public authority
• Certificate issued by an elected member of any rural or urban body or officer
• Bank account details, including those issued by private banks or post offices, in the name of the applicant
• Insurance policies issued by companies in India in the applicant's name
• Electricity connection papers, bills, or other utility bills in the applicant's name
• Court or tribunal records pertaining to the applicant
• Document showing employment in India supported by the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), General Provident Fund (GPF), Pension, or Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC)
• School-leaving certificate issued in India for the applicant
• Academic certificate issued by a school, college, university, or government institution in India
• Municipality trade license
• Marriage certificate issued in India.

Citizenship Certificate

Citizenship certificates will be issued to applicants in digital format. However, if an applicant chooses to receive a physical copy, it will be issued with an ink signature. These certificates can be collected from the office of the Empowered Committee, specifically from the office of the Director (Census Operations) of the respective State or Union Territory. Individuals granted citizenship will be recognized as Indian nationals from the date they entered India.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has announced the formation of empowered committees in states or Union territories for granting citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

Composition of Empowered Committees

Each state or Union territory will have an empowered committee headed by the Director (Census Operations) of the respective state or UT.

The committee will include members such as an officer from the Intelligence Bureau not below the rank of deputy secretary to the Government of India, jurisdictional foreigners regional registration officer, state informatics officer of the National Informatics Centre, and the Post Master General of the state or UT.

Invitees to the empowered panel will include representatives from the office of Principal Secretary (Home) or Additional Chief Secretary (Home) of the concerned state or UT, and representatives of jurisdictional Divisional Railway Manager of Railways.

District Level Panels

Additionally, there will be district level panels led by the jurisdictional Senior Superintendent or Superintendent of Post, who will also serve as the Designated Officer.

The district-level panel will include members like the District Informatics Officer or District Informatics Assistant and a nominee of the Centre.

Invitees to the district level panel will comprise representatives not below the rank of Naib Tehsildar or equivalent from the Office of District Collector and jurisdictional Station Master of Railways, subject to availability.