Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024 –
Why is this in the news?
The Ministry of Home Affairs has updated the Citizenship Rules, 2009 by introducing the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024. This is to officially implement the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019, which allows persecuted minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan to get Indian citizenship more easily.
Key Highlights Explained with Examples
1️⃣ Who Can Apply for Indian Citizenship?
A person can apply for citizenship by registration or naturalization if they fall into one of these categories:
Example 1: Person of Indian Origin
👉 Rahul was born in India but moved to the UK when he was a child. Now, after living abroad for many years, he wants to come back and settle in India permanently. Since he is a person of Indian origin, he can apply for Indian citizenship.
Example 2: Married to an Indian Citizen
👉 Sarah, an American citizen, married Raj, an Indian citizen. After living in India for a few years, she wants to become an Indian citizen. Since she is married to an Indian citizen, she can apply for Indian citizenship.
Example 3: Minor Child of an Indian Citizen
👉 Ayaan was born in the UAE, but his parents are Indian citizens. Even though Ayaan was not born in India, he can still apply for Indian citizenship because he is a minor child of Indian parents.
Example 4: Parents are Already Indian Citizens
👉 Meera's parents got Indian citizenship through naturalization a few years ago. Now, Meera also wants to become an Indian citizen. Since her parents are already Indian citizens, she is eligible to apply.
Example 5: Person or Parents Were Citizens of Independent India
👉 Javed's father was born in India in 1950 but later moved to Pakistan. Javed now wants to return to India and apply for citizenship. Since his father was a citizen of Independent India, he can apply for citizenship.
Example 6: Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Cardholder
👉 Arjun, an OCI cardholder living in the US, decides to permanently settle in India. Since OCI cardholders are eligible for citizenship, he can apply.
2️⃣ Other Important Requirements for Citizenship
✅ For Naturalization (Becoming an Indian Citizen After Living Here for Some Time):
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The applicant must submit an affidavit(written statement) stating that all details in the application are correct.
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Another Indian citizen must vouch for them, saying they have good character.
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The applicant must know at least one Indian language from the 8th Schedule (e.g., Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, Bengali, etc.).
Example:
👉 Farid, a refugee from Bangladesh, has lived in India for more than 5 years and wants to become an Indian citizen. He must:
✔️ Provide an affidavit stating his details are true.
✔️ Get an Indian citizen to verify his good character.
✔️ Show he can speak an Indian language like Hindi or Bengali.
3️⃣ Proof of Nationality (Documents Required)
To prove they have been living in India, applicants can now submit 20 different types of documents, including:
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Visa
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Residential permits
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Census slips
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Aadhaar cards, etc.
Example:
👉 Mariam, who came from Pakistan, doesn’t have a passport but has an old visa stamp from 2012 and a residential permit. She can submit these as proof of her entry into India.
4️⃣ Giving Up Citizenship of Another Country
If a person gets Indian citizenship, they must permanently give up their previous nationality.
Example:
👉 David, a Christian refugee from Pakistan, applies for Indian citizenship. Once his application is approved, he must officially renounce his Pakistani citizenship and cannot claim it back.
5️⃣ Where to Apply?
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Applications must be submitted online.
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The process will go through a District-Level Committee and then to an Empowered Committee under Section 6B of the Citizenship Act, 1955.
Example:
👉 Anwar, a Buddhist refugee from Afghanistan, wants to apply for citizenship. He must:
✔️ Submit his application electronically.
✔️ It will first be checked by the District-Level Committee.
✔️ Then, the Empowered Committee will review and approve it.
Summary in One Line:
The Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024 simplify the process for certain people (like persecuted minorities and persons of Indian origin) to apply for Indian citizenship through an online process while submitting valid proof and renouncing their previous nationality.
