Govt extends CAA cut-off date! What it means for citizenship applicants

In a significant relief for thousands of refugees seeking Indian citizenship, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has extended the cut-off date for eligibility under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) to December 31, 2024. 

The move ensures that migrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christian communities, who entered India seeking shelter from religious persecution, will now have more time to apply for citizenship even if they lack valid passports or travel documents.

Cut-Off Date Extended to December 31, 2024

The MHA announced on Wednesday that the cut-off date for entry under the CAA has been pushed from December 31, 2014, to December 31, 2024. This extension broadens the scope of the Act, allowing more migrants who crossed the border in recent years to seek Indian citizenship.

The notification clarified that applicants will be exempted from the requirement of valid travel documents, with even expired ones accepted during the verification process.

Official Announcement and Reactions

Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar shared the official notification dated September 1, confirming the decision. The extension follows multiple appeals from refugee organizations, particularly those representing displaced minorities from Bangladesh, urging the government to update the deadline to reflect the steady arrival of persecuted groups.

Implementation and Impact

First passed in 2019 and implemented in March 2024, the CAA fast-tracks citizenship for non-Muslim refugees. The extension is now expected to ease the path for many waiting applicants, offering hope and stability to communities that have long sought safety and identity in India.