New passport declaration rule introduced
Applicants must disclose valid and expired passports during citizenship applications
The Centre has amended the Citizenship Rules, 2009, making it mandatory for applicants from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh to declare the status of their passports while applying for Indian citizenship.
The Ministry of Home Affairs issued a notification on Monday introducing new requirements for applicants covered under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019.
Applicants must disclose passport details
Under the amended rules, applicants seeking Indian citizenship must declare whether they possess a valid or expired passport issued by the governments of Pakistan, Afghanistan or Bangladesh.
If the applicant currently holds an active passport, they will now have to provide:
- Passport number
- Date of issue
- Place of issue
- Expiry date
The notification further states that applicants must submit a declaration agreeing to surrender their valid or expired passport within 15 days after approval of their citizenship application.
The passport must be handed over to the concerned Senior Superintendent of Post or Superintendent of Post.
Applies to CAA beneficiaries
The amendment applies to applicants from Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan seeking Indian citizenship under the Citizenship Rules, 2009.
The new provision has been inserted after Schedule IC of the rules.
Background of Citizenship Amendment Act
The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, provides a pathway to Indian citizenship for undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who entered India before December 31, 2014.
The law covers six minority communities:
- Hindus
- Sikhs
- Buddhists
- Jains
- Parsis
- Christians
The Centre has maintained that the legislation is aimed at providing protection to persecuted minorities from neighbouring Islamic nations.
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