The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has introduced a dedicated web portal for eligible non-Muslim migrants from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, providing them with a streamlined process to apply for Indian citizenship. This initiative follows the recent notification of rules under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA-2019), now termed the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024.
The newly launched portal, accessible at https://indiancitizenshiponline.nic.in, enables individuals persecuted on religious grounds from these three countries to submit their citizenship applications entirely online. The portal, unveiled on Monday night, coincided with the formalization of rules granting Indian citizenship to refugees who sought asylum in India before December 31, 2014.
Under the provisions of the CAA, individuals belonging to six minority communities—Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians—persecuted in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh can utilize the portal to seek Indian citizenship. The application process mandates the submission of all required documents, including those issued by governmental authorities in the applicant’s country of origin, such as passports, birth certificates, educational certificates, and identity documents.
Applicants must also provide proof of their entry into India before the stipulated cut-off date of December 31, 2014. The application submissions will undergo scrutiny by an Empowered Committee, facilitated by District Level Committees led by designated officers, ensuring a thorough background check by security agencies.
Moreover, applicants are required to appear in person to subscribe to their applications and take an oath of allegiance. Failure to comply with this requirement may lead to recommendations for refusal by the district-level committee.
The MHA’s initiative aims to remove legal barriers hindering the rehabilitation and citizenship of persecuted refugees, offering them the opportunity for a dignified life after years of suffering. Additionally, plans for the imminent launch of a mobile application, ‘CAA-2019’, further underscore the government’s commitment to facilitating the citizenship application process through modern technological means.
