NEW DELHI: The ministry of home affairs has notified the collectors across border states/Union territories like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, West Bengal, Assam (except tribal area) Tripura (except tribal area), J&K and Ladakh, as the “competent authority” to receive, scrutinise and dispose of applications for citizenship filed by immigrants belonging to religious minorities of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.Until now, only empowered committees could process and approve applications for citizenship by Hindu, Sikh, Christian, Jain, Buddhists and Parsi immigrants from the three Muslim-majority neighbours.As per the Citizenship (Third Amendment) Rules, 2026, a new sub-rule has been added to Rule 11A, stating that an application for citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act , 2019, shall be submitted to the collector concerned in the above states, and an acknowledgment generated electronically in Form IX.“The collector shall verify documents submitted by the applicant along with the application, conduct such enquiry as he considers necessary for ascertaining the suitability of the applicant, administer the oath of allegiance…and satisfy himself regarding the eligibility of the applicant under section 6B,” stated the MHA notification.
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Sources said the empowered committees at the district level have been rather slow in processing citizenship applications under CAA, and bringing in collectors as the competent authority to do so is expected to cut delays.As per the MHA notification, the collector may satisfy himself of the suitability of the applicant to be registered or naturalised and grant him citizenship of India.If an applicant fails to appear in person to subscribe the application and take both of allegiance, despite being given reasonable opportunities, the collector shall reject the application.
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