Center Amends 'Citizenship Rules', Introduces New Passport Publication Standards - Who Does It Concern

The Center has issued a notification announcing changes to the Citizenship Rules, 2009. As per the amendment 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.

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

“I do not hold a valid and/or expired passport(s) issued by the Government of Pakistan/Afghanistan/Bangladesh.

I hold a valid and/or expired passport(s) issued by the Government of Pakistan/Afghanistan/Bangladesh with the following details:- Passport Number:.. Date of Issue Place of Issue Date of Expiry I hereby agree to hand over my valid and/or expired passport to Pakistan/Afghanistan/Bangladesh within 15 days of the relevant passport Superdentin Post in Post from 15 days of approval of the citizenship application.”