Govt Revises Citizenship Act Rules

In August, 2024, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has revised the rules for the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA), expanding the types of documents accepted to establish roots in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, or Pakistan for citizenship applications.

The MHA has amended the provision under Schedule 1A of the CAA, allowing for the inclusion of any document issued by the State or Central government or any quasi-judicial authority in India to prove an applicant’s or their ancestors' nationality in the three countries.
An “etc.” has been added to the rule, providing government officials with discretion in processing applications if there are document shortcomings.
The amended rules now permit local priests or community institutions to issue certificates certifying the faith of applicants.
The revised provision allows any document from the Central Government, State Government, or quasi-judicial bodies in India, such as land records or judicial orders, to establish a connection to Afghanistan, Bangladesh, or Pakistan.
This change aims to address concerns from individuals, particularly in West Bengal, who migrated from Bangladesh with minimal documentation, especially following the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.
The MHA’s clarification comes in response to numerous queries about acceptable documentation for CAA applications, seeking to simplify the process and reduce confusion.
The amendment aims to facilitate citizenship for migrants who arrived in India before December 31, 2014, from six non-Muslim communities in the three countries.