District Collectors Empowered to Grant Citizenship Under CAA in Eight States and UTs
District Collectors Empowered to Grant Citizenship Under CAA in Eight States and UTs
IN · Published Aug 20, 2026
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued an order transferring the authority to process citizenship applications under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019, to district collectors in eight states and Union Territories (UTs).
This change affects Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, West Bengal, Assam (excluding tribal areas), Tripura (excluding tribal areas), Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

Impact & Risks

This move is expected to expedite the citizenship application process for eligible individuals, particularly benefiting communities like the Matuas in West Bengal. However, it also raises concerns about bypassing state governments' roles in the process, potentially leading to administrative challenges. Critics argue that the shift could marginalize certain groups and create inconsistencies in the application of the law across different regions.

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