Citizenship Rules 2026 have introduced a major change in the process of granting Indian citizenship in selected border states and Union Territories.
The Union Home Ministry has authorised district collectors in six states and two Union Territories to process
and grant citizenship through registration or naturalisation to eligible applicants residing in these regions.
The new provisions were notified through the Citizenship (Third Amendment) Rules, 2026.
The change will come into effect by replacing the earlier system that relied on Empowered Committees and Designated Officers.
Citizenship Rules 2026 and who is covered
Under the amended rules, district collectors in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, West Bengal, Assam, Tripura,
and the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh have been designated as the competent authority for citizenship applications.
The rules exclude tribal areas in Assam and Tripura. They apply only to applicants who are ordinarily residing in the notified regions
and are seeking Indian citizenship through registration or naturalisation under the applicable provisions of the Citizenship Act.
District collectors to process applications
The Home Ministry has authorised district collectors to receive, scrutinise and dispose of citizenship applications submitted electronically.
After receiving an application, the collector will verify the documents, conduct necessary inquiries, administer the prescribed oath of allegiance and examine whether the applicant meets the legal eligibility requirements.
If the collector is satisfied that the applicant is a “fit and proper” person and fulfils the conditions under the law, Indian citizenship may be granted.
The government has also directed that all pending applications with the earlier Empowered Committees or District Level Committees in the notified regions be transferred to the respective district collectors.
Personal appearance remains mandatory
The amended rules continue to require applicants to appear in person during the process.
According to the notification, applicants must sign their application in person and take the oath of allegiance before the competent authority.
If an applicant fails to appear despite being given reasonable opportunities, the district collector can reject the application.
The online application system will generate an acknowledgement after submission, following which the verification process will begin.
Why the rules have changed
The latest amendment mainly changes the authority responsible for processing citizenship applications in the notified regions.
Instead of Empowered Committees and Designated Officers, district collectors will now handle the entire process, including document verification, inquiry, eligibility assessment and the final decision on eligible applications.
The amendment does not create a new category of citizenship or automatically grant citizenship to any foreign national.
Applicants must still satisfy all eligibility conditions prescribed under the Citizenship Act and related rules before citizenship can be granted.
