The Union home ministry has amended the Citizenship Rules, 2009, introducing a new requirement for applicants from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh seeking Indian citizenship. According to a notification issued on Monday, these applicants must now provide a declaration regarding the status of their passport issued by their native country.
Key Changes in Citizenship Rules
The amendment introduces a paragraph stipulating that the applicant should not be in possession of a valid and/or expired passport issued by the governments of Pakistan, Afghanistan, or Bangladesh. If the applicant holds an active passport, they must submit the passport number along with other details such as date and place of issuance, and date of expiry.
Surrender of Passport
Applicants are also required to give a declaration to surrender their valid and/or expired passport to the Senior Superintendent of Post or Superintendent of Post concerned within 15 days of the approval of their citizenship application. This step ensures compliance with the new rules and prevents dual nationality issues.
The amendment aims to streamline the citizenship process and ensure that applicants are not holding passports from their home countries after acquiring Indian citizenship. The home ministry's notification underscores the importance of adhering to these new requirements for a smooth application process.
