The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has provided a web portal for people persecuted from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh to avail Indian citizenship. The citizenship will be given on religious grounds to people of six minority communities – Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians — from the three countries.
The Ministry informed that the applications can be submitted online.
The government will also launch mobile app 'CAA-2019' to facilitate applications, said the ministry.
The Centre had on March 11 implemented the contentious
Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, a move that comes four years after the contentious law was passed. The rules were notified days ahead of the expected announcement of the Lok Sabha elections.
Here is the list of documents required:
Copy of the passport issued by Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Pakistan
Registration Certificate or Residential Permit issued by the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) or Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) in India
Birth certificate issued by a government authority in Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Pakistan
School certificate or educational certificate issued by school, college, board or university authorities in Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Pakistan
Identity document of any kind issued by the government of Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Pakistan or any other government authorities or government agencies in these countries
Any license or certificate issued by a government authority in Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Pakistan
Land or tenancy records in Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Pakistan
Any document that shows that either of the parents, grandparents or great-grandparents is or had been a citizen of one of the three countries
Any other document issued by a government authority or a government agency in Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Pakistan which will establish that the applicant is from Afghanistan, Bangladesh or PakistanNote: The above documents will be admissible even beyond their validity period.In addition to this, the following documents were listed for the applicant to prove that they entered into India on or before December 31, 2014:
Copy of the visa and immigration stamp on arrival in India
Registration Certificate or Residential Permit issued by the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) or Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) in India
Slip issued by the Census Enumerators in India to such persons while conducting census-related survey
Government-issued license or certificate or permit in India (including Driving License, Aadhaar Card etc.)
Ration Card of the applicant was issued in India
Any letter issued by the Government or Court to the applicant with official stamp
The birth certificate of the applicant was issued in India
Land or tenancy records or registered rental agreement in India in the name of the applicant
PAN Card issuance document bearing the date of issuance
Any other document issued by the Central Government or State Government or any Public Sector Undertakings of the Central Government or State Government or any financial institutions like Banks or any other Public Authority
Certificate issued by an elected member of any rural or urban body or officer thereof or a revenue officer
Record and account details relating to and issued by the Banks (including Private Banks) or Post Office accounts in the name of the applicant
Insurance policies issued by the Insurance companies in India in the name of the applicant
Electricity connection papers, Electricity Bills or other Utility Bills in the name of the applicant
Court or Tribunal Records or Processes in India in respect of the applicant
Document showing service or employment under any employer in India supported by Employees Provident Fund (EPF)/ General Provident Fund/ Pension/ Employees
State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) documents
School leaving certificate of the applicant was issued in India
Academic certificate issued by a school or college or a board or University or government institution
Municipality trade license issued to the applicant
Marriage CertificateNote: (i) The above documents should have been issued by an Indian Authority and will be admissible even beyond their validity period (ii) The documents should establish that the applicant had entered India on or before 31.12.2014
The CAA was passed in December 2019 and subsequently got the president's assent but there were protests in several parts of the country against it, with many opposition parties speaking out against the law calling it "discriminatory". The law could not come into effect as rules had not been notified till now.
(Edited by : Amrita)
First Published: Mar 12, 2024 12:32 PM IST
