Centre amends 'Citizenship Rules', introduces new passport disclosure norms - Who's affected

The Centre has issued a notice announcing amendments to the Citizenship Rules, 2009. As per modification to the existing rules, the new norms require passport disclosure for applicants from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. The new regulations will be effective from the date of publication in the Official Gazette, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said.

The notification issued by the Ministry on 18 May states, “(1) These rules may be called the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2026. (2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.” The circular asked for inclusion of the following paragraph in Citizenship Rules:

"I am not in possession of a valid and/or expired passport(s) issued by the Government of Pakistan/Aghanistan/Bangladesh.

OR

I am in possession of a validand/or expired passport(s) issued by the Government of Pakistan/Afghanistan/Bangladesh with the following details:- Passport No. :.. Date of issue Place of Issue Date of expiry I hereby agree to surrender my valid and/or expired Pakistani/Afghanistani/Bangladeshi passport to Senior Superintendent of Post or Superintendent of Post concerned within 15 days of approval of citizenship application.'"