The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has announced an extension of the cut-off date under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) to 31 December 2024. This decision allows persecuted minority communities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan — including Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians — to stay in India and apply for citizenship, even without valid travel documents.
What Was the Earlier Cut-off Under CAA?
Originally, the CAA granted Indian citizenship to non-Muslim migrants who entered India on or before 31 December 2014. The Act, passed in December 2019 and implemented on 11 March 2024, aimed to fast-track citizenship for persecuted minorities from neighboring countries.
CAA Key Highlights of the Latest Order
- New cut-off date: 31 December 2024 (extended by a decade from 2014).
- Eligible groups: Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians.
- Applicable countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan.
- Document rule: Migrants without valid passports or with expired travel documents will not be penalized.
- Legal basis: Issued under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.
Why Was the CAA Cut-off Extended?
- Continuous cross-border migration of persecuted minorities after 2014.
- Longstanding appeals from refugee associations, particularly groups representing displaced Hindus from Pakistan and Bangladesh.
- Need to provide legal security to refugees whose citizenship status remained uncertain.
Official Statement from MHA
According to the order:
“A person belonging to a minority community in Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan — Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians — who were compelled to seek shelter in India due to religious persecution and entered on or before 31 December 2024, with or without valid travel documents, will be exempted from the requirement of possessing a valid passport and visa.
Background of CAA
- Passed by Parliament: December 2019.
- Signed into law: By President Ram Nath Kovind.
- Formal implementation: 11 March 2024, after rules were notified.
Purpose: To fast-track Indian citizenship for undocumented non-Muslim migrants fleeing religious persecution in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
