Politics

What is Citizenship Amendment Act(CAA)?

The Indian government has notified the rules for implementing the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) 2019, but what is Citizenship Amendment Act(CAA)?

NewsOne.ai Team
By The NewsOne.ai TeamMar 11 2024

The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is a law passed by BJP in 2019 which seeks to safeguard individuals who have sought refuge in India due to religious persecution, shielding them from potential deportation. Eligibility for citizenship under this act requires applicants to have entered India on or before December 31, 2014. Presently, Indian citizenship is conferred upon those born in the country or who have resided in India for a minimum of 11 years. Additionally, the proposed amendment introduces a provision for the revocation of Overseas Citizen of India status. This law is set up to provide protection to minorities such as Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Jains, and Parsis in Muslim majority nations.


The 2019 amendment to the Citizenship Act has streamlined the citizenship application process for non-Muslim migrants originating from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan seeking Indian citizenship. With new CAA, the residency requirement for eligible migrants to attain naturalization has been decreased from twelve years to just six. As per reports, nearly 30,000 individuals stand to benefit from the CAA regulations.


There is no question of timing. The BJP said in its manifesto in 2019 that it would bring CAA and give citizenship to refugees from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. In 2019, it was passed by Parliament but got delayed due to Covid-19. The Opposition wants to consolidate their vote bank. They have been exposed and the people of the country know that CAA is the law of this country. I have said 41 times in the past four years that it would be implemented before the elections.
Amit Shah, Union Home Minister(2019 - present), India.

Eligibility criteria to apply for citizenship under CAA

  • An Indian origin individual seeking registration as citizen of India.
  • An individual married to citizen of India.
  • An application from minor child of Indian citizen seeking registration as Citizen of India.
  • An individual who's parents are registered as citizen of India.
  • An individual who's either of the parent were citizen of independant India.
  • An individual who is registered as overseas citizen of Indian cardholder.

Valid documents for applying citizenship under CAA

  • Copy of the visa and immigration stamp on arrival in India
  • Registration Certificate or Residential Permit issued by the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) or Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) in India
  • Slip issued by the Census Enumerators in India to such persons while conducting census related survey
  • Government issued license or certificate or permit in India (including Driving License, Aadhaar Card etc.)
  • Ration Card of the applicant issued in India
  • Any letter issued by the Government or Court to the applicant with official stamp
  • Birth certificate of the applicant issued in India
  • Land or tenancy records or registered rental agreement in India in the name of the applicant
  • PAN Card issuance document bearing the date of issuance
  • Any other document issued by the Central Government or State Government or any Public Sector Undertakings of Central Government or State Government or any financial institutions like Banks or any other Public Authority
  • Certificate issued by an elected member of any rural or urban body or officer thereof or a revenue officer
  • Record and account details relating to and issued by the Banks (including Private Banks) or Post Office accounts in the name of the applicant
  • Insurance policies issued by the Insurance companies in India in the name of the applicant
  • Electricity connection papers or Electricity Bills or other Utility Bills in the name of the applicant
  • Court or Tribunal Records or Processes in India in respect of the applicant
  • Document showing service or employment under any employer in India supported by Employees Provident Fund (EPF)/ General Provident Fund/ Pension/ Employees‘ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) documents
  • School leaving certificate of the applicant issued in India
  • Academic certificate issued by a school or college or a board or a University or a government institution
  • Municipality trade license issued to the applicant
  • Marriage Certificate

Application Submission Process

  • An application for registration or naturalisation shall be submitted by the applicant in electronic form to the Empowered Committee through the District Level Committee as (may be) notified by the Central Government.
  • On submission of the application, an acknowledgment shall be generated electronically.
  • The District Level Committee headed by Designated Officer shall verify the documents submitted by the applicant along with the application.
  • The Designated Officer shall administer to the applicant the oath of allegiance as specified in the Second Schedule to the Citizenship Act, 1955 (57 of 1955) and thereafter, sign the oath of allegiance and forward the same in electronic form along with confirmation regarding verification of documents to the Empowered Committee.
  • In case an applicant fails to appear in person to subscribe the application and take oath of allegiance despite giving reasonable opportunities, the District Level Committee shall forward such application to Empowered Committee for consideration of refusal.

You can visit the official government portal for more information.