The central government has introduced a major change in the rules related to Indian citizenship. Under the new draft notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, people holding passports from Pakistan, Bangladesh,
and Afghanistan will now have to surrender their foreign passports within 15 days after getting Indian citizenship.
The government says the move is aimed at making the citizenship process more transparent, secure, and better monitored.
What Is the New Citizenship Rule?
The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued the “Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2026” under Section 18 of the Citizenship Act, 1955.
As part of this update, a new provision has been added to Schedule IC of the Citizenship Rules, 2009.
Under the new rule, applicants must clearly mention whether they currently hold or previously held a passport from Pakistan, Bangladesh, or Afghanistan.
Applicants will also have to provide full passport details, including:
Passport number
Date of issue
Place of issue
Expiry date
This step is being seen as an effort to strengthen document verification and maintain proper records.
Foreign Passport Must Be Surrendered Within 15 Days
The notification clearly states that once a person receives Indian citizenship, they must surrender their foreign passport within 15 days.
The process will also require written approval from the concerned Senior Superintendent of Posts or Superintendent of Posts.
According to government officials, the rule will become effective from the date it is published in the Official Gazette. Officials have described it as an administrative clarification designed to improve verification and record management.
Government Pushes Digital Citizenship System
Along with these changes, the government has also introduced several digital reforms in the citizenship process.
One of the biggest updates is the launch of the electronic Overseas Citizen of India (e-OCI) card. Many OCI-related services will now move completely online.
The government believes this digital system will reduce paperwork for NRIs and help create a paperless identification process.
Stricter Rules for Minors and Dual Passports
The government has also tightened rules related to minors holding dual passports.
Such cases will now face stricter monitoring and more detailed verification checks. Officials say this will help avoid confusion related to identity and citizenship status in the future.
Biometric Data Now Important in Citizenship Process
Under the new rules, applicants will also need to give consent for sharing biometric data.
This will help them use fast-track immigration programs in the future. The government is also planning automatic enrollment features based on biometric verification.
Officials believe that digital systems and biometric checks will make the citizenship process faster, safer, and more transparent.
Government Focuses on Security and Verification
Experts believe these changes are part of the government’s larger push to strengthen national security and improve document verification systems.
Applications, especially those linked to neighboring countries, are expected to face closer scrutiny under the updated rules.
