Government Tightens Citizenship Process, New Passport Rules Announced for 3 Countries

India has changed its citizenship rules for applicants from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs issued a new notification under the Citizenship Rules, 2009, making it mandatory for certain applicants to disclose details of their passports or surrender them while applying for Indian citizenship. According to the amended rules, people from these three neighboring countries who seek Indian citizenship must now officially declare the status of their existing passports. Applicants will either have to submit details of their passports issued by Pakistan, Afghanistan, or Bangladesh or surrender those passports within a fixed period after their citizenship application is accepted. The notification, issued through the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2026, adds a new provision to Schedule IC under the Citizenship Act, 1955. The government stated that the move is aimed at strengthening verification and security procedures before granting Indian citizenship to foreign nationals from these countries. Under the new system, applicants will have to provide a written declaration before the concerned Senior Postmaster or Superintendent of Posts. In this declaration, they must confirm that they intend to surrender both valid and expired passports from their country of origin within 15 days after their application for Indian citizenship is approved. The amended rules mainly apply to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christian applicants from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh who are seeking Indian citizenship under special provisions. The government believes the new rules will improve transparency and help authorities carry out detailed background checks on applicants. Officials said the amendment is part of the government’s broader effort to tighten the citizenship process and ensure proper documentation from foreign applicants. The notification has now become part of the Citizenship Rules framework and will be implemented immediately. The decision has already triggered political discussions, with supporters calling it an important national security measure, while critics are likely to debate its impact on affected communities. However, the government has made it clear that applicants must now comply with the updated passport disclosure and surrender requirements to complete the citizenship process in India.