In a major overhaul of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) implementation process, the Centre has given district collectors the authority to decide and approve citizenship applications in eight states and Union Territories, replacing the current committee-based system.
Under the revised framework, district collectors will no longer merely assist in processing applications. They will now serve as the final authority for examining applications, verifying documents, conducting inquiries, administering the oath of allegiance and granting citizenship under Section 6B of the Citizenship Act. The change follows two notifications issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on August 19, signalling what officials describe as a move to simplify and accelerate the processing of citizenship applications from eligible migrants covered under the CAA.
A collector who is satisfied that an applicant meets the eligibility requirements under the law can directly confer Indian citizenship, according to the amended rules.
The government has also withdrawn certain earlier notifications, effectively ending the committee-based arrangement introduced under the 2024 framework in these areas. The law was passed by Parliament in 2019, while the rules required for its implementation were notified in 2024.
Recently, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said citizenship certificates would be issued more quickly to eligible beneficiaries covered under the law.
