CAA portal launched: Know how to apply for Indian citizenship

New Delhi: A day after the government notified the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the Ministry of Home Affairs on Tuesday launched a new portal for those who have been persecuted on religious grounds in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.

Moreover, the government will soon be launching a mobile app called ‘CAA-2019’ to facilitate applications.

On social media handle X, the Home Ministry said that, through this portal, eligible persons under CAA-2019 can apply for citizenship.

How to apply for citizenship under CAA?

1. On the Indian citizenship online portal (https://indiancitizenshiponline.nic.in), hit the “Click To Submit Application For Indian Citizenship under CAA 2019” option. 

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

3. On the following page, enter your email ID, name, and the CAPTCHA code.

4. Click on the submit button.

5. Check your email and mobile for an OTP (One Time Password). Enter the OTPs and verify them.

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

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

8. You will receive another OTP on your registered mobile number. Enter the OTP and re-enter the CAPTCHA code. Click on “Verify and Proceed.”

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

10. Answer questions about the applicant’s background, including pre-2014 residence, place of origin, and duration of stay.

Required documents for application

The list of required documents for application has been provided, which includes passports, birth certificates, and other identity documents issued by the governments of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, or Pakistan, among others. The documents must prove that the applicant entered India on or before December 31, 2014.

For those without necessary paperwork, the Centre can accept any valid or expired documents from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Certificates or residence permits issued by the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer or Foreigners Registration Officer in India are also valid.

What happens after online application?

The District Level Committee headed by the Designated Officer shall examine the validity of the applications filed under the act. The designated officer shall administer the oath of allegiance to the applicant after due verification of the documents.

Following this, the officer will sign the oath of allegiance and forward the same in electronic form along with confirmation regarding verification of documents to the Empowered Committee. 

What if an applicant fails to appear in person for oath of allegiance?

If an applicant is unable to appear in person to take the oath of allegiance despite giving many opportunities, the District Level Committee can forward the application in question to the Empowered Committee for considering a refusal.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, seeks to grant Indian citizenship to six minority refugees—Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians—who had sought shelter in India before December 31, 2014, due to religious persecution in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

It may be mentioned that ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the government on Monday notified the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).