Citizenship rule change: Declare, surrender Pak, Bangladesh and Afghan passports, Pg5

Key Highlights:

• The Centre has notified draft changes to the Citizenship Rules, 2009, mandating certain applicants to declare or surrender passports issued by Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.
• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued a gazette notification regarding the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2026, under the Citizenship Act, 1955.
• Applicants holding passports from the specified countries must provide passport details and surrender the document within 15 days of citizenship approval.
• The amended rules will be effective from the date of publication in the official gazette.

Detailed Insights:

• The amendment introduces paragraph (iiA) into Schedule IC of the Citizenship Rules, 2009, requiring applicants to disclose details of passports issued by Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.
• Applicants must provide passport number, date and place of issue, and expiry date, and agree to surrender the passport to the designated postal authority.
• An official from the MHA described the amendment as an administrative clarification to enhance verification and record-keeping in citizenship cases.
• The Citizenship Act of 1955 has been amended previously, including the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which has generated debates and discussions regarding its implications on citizenship eligibility.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Citizenship Act, 1955: Defines the requirements and procedures for acquiring Indian citizenship.
• Gazette Notification: Official publication of government decisions and rules.
• Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA): An amendment to the Citizenship Act in 2019 that altered the eligibility criteria for citizenship for certain religious minorities.