Collectors to process Citizenship under CAA 2019

Why in News?

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has empowered District Collectors in eight States/UTs to process and grant citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019.

• The move transfers pending applications from Empowered Committees to District Collectors.
• Jurisdictions covered – 8 states
  • Gujarat
  • Rajasthan
  • Punjab
  • West Bengal
  • Assam – except tribal areas
  • Tripura – except tribal areas
  • Jammu & Kashmir
  • Ladakh

Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019

• CAA amended the Citizenship Act, 1955.
• It provides a route to Indian citizenship through registration or naturalisation for specified migrants belonging to 6 non-muslim communities:
  • Hindus
  • Sikhs
  • Buddhists
  • Jains
  • Parsis
  • Christians
• They must have come from Pakistan, Bangladesh or Afghanistan.
• The law covers those who entered India on or before December 31, 2014.
• The Act introduced Section 6B into the Citizenship Act.
• The Citizenship (Third Amendment) Rules, 2026 – District Collectors can now receive, scrutinise and decide citizenship applications under Section 6B of the Citizenship Act, 1955.

Recent changes

• Under the Citizenship (Third Amendment) Rules, 2026, District Collectors can:
  • Receive citizenship applications.
  • Scrutinise documents.
  • Conduct necessary enquiries.
  • Administer the Oath of Allegiance.
  • Determine eligibility.
  • Grant citizenship if the applicant satisfies the conditions.
• Applications may be rejected if applicants fail to appear personally for the required procedures despite reasonable opportunities.

Previous arrangement

• Applications were processed by Empowered Committees involving Central government officials.
• These included officials associated with the Census, Intelligence Bureau and postal departments.
• The new arrangement makes these committees redundant in the specified jurisdictions.

Constitutional significance

• Citizenship is a Union List subject under the Seventh Schedule.
• Parliament has the power to regulate citizenship under Article 11 of the Constitution.
• The Citizenship Act, 1955 is the principal legislation governing acquisition and termination of Indian citizenship.

Reference

The Hindu| Collectors to process Citizenship under CAA 2019