What is Section 6B? What Are the Special Documents Required for Citizenship Under Section 6B? CAA Explained

Understanding Section 6B: Eligibility for Indian Citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)

Section 6B is a provision introduced by the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) of 2019 to the Citizenship Act of 1955. It outlines a specific process for acquiring Indian citizenship by naturalization for migrants from three neighboring countries: Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.

What is Section 6B? Who can apply under Section 6B?

The eligibility criteria for applying for citizenship under Section 6B are as follows:

• Religious background: You must belong to a specific religious minority community in the aforementioned countries. These communities include Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, or Christian.
• Date of Entry: You must have entered India on or before December 31st, 2014.
• Exempt from deportation: You cannot be facing deportation proceedings or be categorized as an illegal immigrant. The CAA exempts such individuals from these considerations if they meet the other criteria.

Individuals belonging to specific religious minority communities who migrated from certain neighboring countries can apply for citizenship under Section 6B of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Here’s a breakdown of the eligibility criteria:

Eligible Countries:

• Pakistan
• Afghanistan
• Bangladesh

Religious Communities:

• Hindu
• Sikh
• Buddhist
• Jain
• Parsi
• Christian

Date of Entry:

• You must have entered India on or before December 31st, 2014.

Additional Considerations:

• You cannot be facing deportation proceedings or be categorized as an illegal immigrant. The CAA exempts such individuals from these considerations if they meet the other criteria.

Important points to remember:

• Section 6B provides a pathway to citizenship through a registration or naturalization certificate issued by the government or a designated authority.
• The process involves adhering to specific rules and procedures established by the government.
• If you meet the eligibility criteria and are granted a citizenship certificate, you are considered an Indian citizen from the date of your initial entry into India.
• Any pending legal proceedings related to immigration or citizenship will be discontinued upon the grant of citizenship under Section 6B.

How to apply for citizenship under Section 6B?The application process is entirely online. You can submit your application electronically to the Empowered Committee through the District Level Committee (DLC) designated by the central government. You can find more information and application details on the official website of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Also read: When Did Sweden Join NATO? Why Did Sweden Join NATO?

What Are the Special Documents Required With Application Under Section CAA and 6B?

Required Documents for Indian Citizenship Application:

• Affidavit Verifying Application Truth: An affidavit sworn by the applicant to confirm the accuracy of all information provided in the citizenship application.
• Character Reference Affidavit: A separate affidavit from an Indian citizen who can vouch for the applicant’s good moral character and loyalty.
• Declaration of Language Proficiency: A declaration by the applicant stating their adequate knowledge of one of the languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
• Declaration of Citizenship Renunciation: A declaration from the applicant stating their willingness to irrevocably renounce their current citizenship upon successful application for Indian citizenship.

The standard application process for Indian citizenship, which applies to those seeking citizenship under Section 6B as well, typically involves submitting documents that prove:

• Identity: Passport, Aadhaar card, Voter ID card, or any other government-issued ID.
• Residence in India: Utility bills, rental agreements, property ownership documents, bank statements, or any other record that verifies your stay in India for the required period.
• Date of Entry into India: Visa records, travel documents, passport stamps, or any other documents that can establish your entry date.
• Minority Community Affiliation (for Section 6B only): Religious certificates issued by a recognized authority or endorsements from community leaders can be submitted. However, the exact format and type of document may not be explicitly defined.
• Supporting Claim to Indian Citizenship: Educational certificates obtained in India, land ownership records, employment records, family ties to Indian citizens, or any other documentation that strengthens your connection to India.

What is the Procedure as per CAA rules?

The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) rules outline the process for applying for Indian citizenship under Section 6B. Here’s a breakdown of the procedure:

1. Electronic Application: You’ll need to submit your application electronically through the District Level Committee (DLC) designated by the central government. There’s a dedicated online portal for this process:
2. Form Selection:  The online system will likely guide you through a questionnaire to determine your eligibility and direct you to the appropriate application form.
3. Document Submission:  The application process will require uploading scanned copies of documents that verify your identity, residence in India, date of entry, community affiliation (for Section 6B), and any other supporting evidence of your claim to citizenship.
4. Acknowledgement: Upon successful submission, you’ll receive an electronic acknowledgement with a reference number for tracking purposes.
5. District Level Committee (DLC) Verification: The DLC will verify the submitted documents and may contact you for further information or clarification if needed.
6. Empowered Committee Review: The verified application gets forwarded to the Empowered Committee for final review and decision-making.
7. Decision and Communication: The Empowered Committee will inform you of their decision (approval or rejection) and the reasons behind it.
8. Grant of Citizenship (if approved):  If your application is successful, you’ll receive a registration or naturalization certificate, officially granting you Indian citizenship.

Additional Points:

• The CAA rules may specify timelines for each stage of the process. However, it’s advisable to consult the official website or relevant authorities for the latest information on processing times.
• You can track the status of your application using the reference number provided during submission.

FAQs

Content Contributor: Rehana Sengupta