More than two after the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024 was notified, the Indian government handed over the first set of citizenship certificates to applicants in New Delhi on Wednesday.

Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla handed over the certificates to the applicants.

"Home Secretary congratulated the applicants and highlighted salient features of the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024.  Secretary Posts, Director (IB), Registrar General of India and senior officers were also present during the interactive session," read a statement issued by the Indian government.

The Government of India had notified Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024 on Mar 11.

The Rules envisage manner of application form, procedure for processing applications by District Level Committee (DLC) and scrutiny and grant of citizenship by State Level Empowered Committee (EC).

In pursuance of these rules, applications have been received from persons belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Parsi and Christian communities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who have entered into India up to 31.12.2014 on account of persecution on grounds of religion or fear of such persecution.

"The District Level Committees (DLCs) chaired by Senior Superintendents of Post/Superintendents of Post as designated officers, on successful verification of documents, have administered oath of allegiance to the applicants," the government said.

After processing as per rules, DLCs have forwarded the applications to State Level Empowered Committee headed by Director (Census operation).  Processing of application is completely done through the online portal.

"The Empowered Committee, Delhi headed by Director (Census Operation), Delhi, after due scrutiny, have decided to grant citizenship to 14 applicants," the statement said.

Accordingly, the Director (Census operation) granted certificates to these applicants.