CAA 2019 Takes Effect: Government Unveils Indian Citizenship Online Portal for Migrant Applications

New Delhi, 12th March 2024: The implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in India has been officially declared by the government, having been sanctioned by Parliament in 2019. This legislation extends citizenship to migrants of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christian faiths from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan who arrived in India on or before December 31, 2014.

To facilitate the application process under CAA 2019, the Ministry of Home Affairs has introduced an exclusive online portal called Indian Citizenship Online. Applicants are required to submit registration or naturalization applications in electronic form under section 6B to the Empowered Committee through the designated District Level Committee.

PROCEDURE FOR APPLYING UNDER CAA:

1. Navigate to the Indian Citizenship Online portal and select “Click To Submit Application For Indian Citizenship under CAA 2019.”

2. Provide your mobile number and CAPTCHA code, then proceed to the next page.

3. Enter your email ID, name, and CAPTCHA code on the subsequent page.

4. Click the submit button.

5. Check your email and mobile for an OTP, and enter and verify the OTPs.

6. Re-enter the CAPTCHA code for additional verification.

7. Access the login window, and enter your email ID or mobile number, along with the CAPTCHA code. Click “Continue.”

8. Receive another OTP on your registered mobile number, enter it, and re-enter the CAPTCHA code. Click “Verify and Proceed.”

9. After successful verification, the option “Click Here to Initiate Fresh Application” will be available.

10. Answer background-related questions about residence, place of origin, and duration of stay before 2014.

POST-APPLICATION PROCEDURES:

The District Level Committee, led by the Designated Officer, will scrutinize the applications’ validity. Upon verifying the documents, the designated officer administers the oath of allegiance to the applicant, signs the oath, and forwards it electronically, along with document verification confirmation, to the Empowered Committee.

FAILURE TO APPEAR FOR OATH:

If an applicant cannot appear for the oath despite multiple opportunities, the District Level Committee may refer the application to the Empowered Committee for potential refusal.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

Applicants must submit various documents, such as passports, birth certificates, and other identity documents issued by Afghanistan, Bangladesh, or Pakistan governments, proving entry into India by December 31, 2014.

NO DOCUMENTS?:

For those lacking necessary documents, valid or expired documents from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan are acceptable. Certificates or residence permits from Indian authorities are also valid.

While several states, including West Bengal, Kerala, Punjab, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Bihar, have passed resolutions against the Act, the government assures that CAA does not affect the rights of Indian citizens and maintains the existing legal process for foreigners acquiring Indian citizenship. The Act excludes areas covered by the Sixth Schedule and the Inner Line Permit system to protect the Northeastern states’ indigenous population. Applicants are required to have continuously stayed in India for 12 months and provide addresses of their residences over the last 14 years.