Publication of Gazette Notification for the Citizenship (Third Amendment) Rules, 2026

REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99 The Gazette of India CG-DL-E-19082026-275585 EXTRAORDINARY PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (i) PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY No. 676] NEW DELHI, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2026/SHRAVAN 28, 1948 MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS NOTIFICATION New Delhi, the 19th August, 2026 G.S.R. 742(E).— In exercise of the powers conferred by section 18 of the Citizenship Act, 1955 (57 of 1955), the Central Government hereby makes the following rules further to amend the Citizenship Rules, 2009, namely:- 1. Short title and commencement. - (1) These rules may be called the Citizenship (Third Amendment) Rules, 2026. (2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette. 2. In the Citizenship Rules, 2009 (hereinafter referred to as the said rules), in rule 11A, after sub-rule (5), the following sub-rule shall be inserted, namely: - "(6) Notwithstanding anything contained in this rule or rule 13A, in respect of applicants ordinarily residing in the States of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, West Bengal, Assam (except tribal area), Tripura (except tribal area), Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, an application for registration or naturalisation under section 6B shall be submitted by the applicant in electronic form to the Collector having jurisdiction, who shall be the competent authority to receive, scrutinize and dispose of such applications in the following manner, namely:- (a) on submission of the application, an acknowledgment in Form IX shall be generated electronically; (b) the Collector shall verify the documents submitted by the applicant, along with the application, conduct such enquiry, as he considers necessary for ascertaining the suitability of the applicant, administer the Oath of Allegiance as specified in the Second Schedule to the Act and satisfy himself regarding the eligibility of the applicant under section 6B; (c) the Collector on being satisfied with the suitability of the applicant that he is a fit and proper person to be registered or naturalised, as the case may be, shall grant him the citizenship of India; (d) In case an applicant fails to appear in person to subscribe the application and take oath of allegiance despite giving reasonable opportunities, the Collector shall reject the application.". 3. In the said rules, in rule 14, in sub-rule (2C), after the words “Empowered Committee”, the words "or the Collector, as the case may be" shall be inserted. 4. In the said rules, in rule 15, in sub-rule (1C), after the words "Empowered Committee", the words "or the Collector, as the case may be" shall be inserted. 5. In the said rules, in rule 38, in sub-rule (3), after the words "Designated Officer", the words "or the Collector" shall be inserted. 6. In the said rules, in Schedule I, in Forms IIA, IIIA, IVA, VA, VIA, VIIA and VIIIA, before the heading "DOCUMENTS TO BE ATTACHED WITH THE APPLICATION BY THE APPLICANT”, the following proviso shall be inserted, namely: - "Provided that in the case of applicants ordinarily residing in the States of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, West Bengal, Assam (except tribal area), Tripura (except tribal area), Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh this completed form shall be submitted to the Collector having jurisdiction, who shall process and dispose of the application under rule 11A.". 7. In the said rules, in Schedule IC, in para (iiiA), after the words "Senior Superintendent of Post or Superintendent of Post”, the words “or the Collector" shall be inserted. [F.No.26030/22/2026-CAA] DR. SANDEEP N. MAHATME, Jt. Secy. Note: The Principal rules were published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub- section (i), vide notification number G.S.R. 124(E), dated the 25th February, 2009 and last amended vide notification number G.S.R. 369(E), dated the 18th May, 2026. Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064 and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.