 "People hold placards and shout slogans in favor of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in Mumbai. FILE/ANI.")
Hours after implementing rules for the Citizenship Amendment Act, or CAA, the Ministry of Home Affairs Tuesday launched a portal for people persecuted from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan on religious grounds to apply for citizenship under CAA-2019.
The web portal link http://indiancitizenshiponline.nic.in has been launched as the home ministry Monday notified the rules under CAA 2019, now called CAA 2024.
The CAA makes it easier for non-Muslim migrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan to get Indian citizenship. It is applicable to all migrants who arrived in India on or before December 31, 2014.
The MHA has also said a mobile app ‘CAA-2019’ will also be launched shortly to facilitate applications through smartphones.
How to apply for citizenship under CAA?
1. Go to the portal: https://indiancitizenshiponline.nic.in
2. Click on Submit Application For Indian Citizenship under CAA 2019
3. Enter your mobile number and the correct key in the CAPTCHA code
4. Now, enter your email ID, name and the CAPTCHA code
5. Click on the submit button
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More Shorts6. Check your email and mobile for a One Time Password (OTP) and enter them correctly to verify
7. Again fill in the CAPTCHA code correctly for additional verification
8. Open the login window and enter your email ID or mobile number, along with the CAPTCHA code. Click on ‘Continue’
9. You will get another OTP on your registered mobile number. Enter it and re-enter the CAPTCHA code.
10. Click on ‘Verify and Proceed’
11. After successful verification, you will see an option that will read ‘Click Here to Initiate Fresh Application’
12. Answer questions about the applicant’s background, including pre-2014 residence, place of origin, and duration of stay.
After the application is submitted, the District Level Committee headed by the Designated Officer will examine the validity of the applications filed under the act.
The designated officer will administer the oath of allegiance to the applicant after due verification of the documents. After this, the officer will sign the oath of allegiance and forward the same in electronic form along with confirmation regarding the verification of documents to the Empowered Committee.
In case an applicant fails to appear in person for oath of allegiance despite being giving many opportunities, the District Level Committee can forward the application in question to the Empowered Committee for considering a refusal.
CAA: Documents required for citizenship application
1 - Copy of passport issued by the Government of Bangladesh/ Pakistan/ Afghanistan
2 - 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 Bangladesh/ Pakistan/ Afghanistan
3 - School certificate or Educational certificate issued by the School/ College/ Board/ University authorities in Bangladesh/ Pakistan/ Afghanistan
4 - Identity Document of any kind issued by the Government of Bangladesh/ Pakistan/ Afghanistan or any other Government authorities or Government agencies in these countries
5 - Any License or Certificate issued by a Government authority of Bangladesh/ Pakistan/ Afghanistan
6 - Land or tenancy records in Bangladesh/ Pakistan/ Afghanistan
7 - Any document that shows that either of the parents or grandparents or great grandparents of the applicant is or had been a citizen of one of the three countries
8 - Any other document issued by a Government authority or a Government agency in Bangladesh/ Pakistan/ Afghanistan which will establish that the applicants from Bangladesh/ Pakistan/ Afghanistan
CAA: Documents required for proof that applicant entered into India on/or before December 31, 2014:
1 - Copy of the visa and immigration stamp on arrival in India
2 - Registration Certificate or Residential Permit issued by the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) or Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) in India
3 - Slip issued by the Census Enumerators in India to such persons while conducting census related survey
4 - Government-issued license or certificate or permit in India (including Driving License, Aadhaar Card etc.)
5 - The ration Card of the applicant was issued in India
6 - Any letter issued by the Government or Court to the applicant with official stamp
7 - The birth certificate of the applicant issued in India
8 - Land or tenancy records or registered rental agreement in India in the name of the applicant
9 - PAN Card issuance document bearing the date of issuance
10 - Any other document issued by the Central Government or State Government or any
11 - Public Sector Undertakings of Central Government or State Government or any financial institutions like Banks or any other Public Authority
12 - Certificate issued by an elected member of any rural or urban body or officer thereof or a revenue officer
13 - Record and account details relating to and issued by the Banks (including Private Banks) or Post Office accounts in the name of the applicant
14 - Insurance policies issued by the Insurance companies in India in the name of the applicant
15 - Electricity connection papers or Electricity Bills or other Utility Bills in the name of the applicant
16 - Court or Tribunal Records or Processes in India in respect of the applicant
17 - Document showing service or employment under any employer in India supported by Employees Provident Fund (EPF)/ General Provident Fund/ Pension/ Employees
18 - State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) documents
19 - School leaving certificate of the applicant issued in India
20 - Academic certificate issued by a school or college or a board or a University or a government institution
21 - Municipality trade license issued to the applicant
22 - Marriage Certificate
CAA 2024 amends the Citizenship Act of 1955 and provides a path to Indian citizenship for Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Jains, and Parsis who migrated from Muslim-majority countries - Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan before December 31, 2014.
Under the 2019 amendment of the act, migrants who entered India till December 31, 2014, and had suffered “religious persecution or fear or religious persecution” in their country of their origin would be made eligible for accelerated citizenship.
In the old law, a migrant had to live in India for ’not less than 11 years’ to qualify for citizenship. CAA reduced it to ’not less than five years’ for the persecuted minorities who are eligible.
As per MHA’s annual report for 2021-22, at least 1,414 foreigners belonging to Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan were given Indian citizenship by registration or naturalisation under the amended Citizenship Act, of 1955.
With inputs from agencies