Archive · 21 Aug 2026
MHA Excludes Eight Regions From 2024 CAA Order
The Ministry of Home Affairs issued a new citizenship-related order on August 19.
It says an earlier order from March 11, 2024 will not apply in eight listed regions.
These regions include Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
Tribal areas in Assam and Tripura are treated as exceptions.
The new order also cancels two later orders from February and March.
Actions already taken under those orders will not be undone.
Applications still waiting in the affected regions will be sent to the appropriate Collector.
The rules concern people from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan who may qualify for citizenship under Section 6B.
The Ministry of Home Affairs issued the order on August 19 under Section 6B of the Citizenship Act, 1955.
The March 11, 2024 order will not apply to Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Jammu and Kashmir, or Ladakh.
The exemption excludes Assam and Tripura tribal areas from the order’s scope.
Two subsequent MHA orders dated February 20 and March 2 were rescinded, without affecting earlier actions or omissions.
Pending Section 6B applications in the covered regions will be transferred to the concerned Collector.
- Who
- The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Central Government.
- What
- The government specified that its March 11, 2024 citizenship order will not apply to eight regions and directed the transfer of pending applications.
- When
- The order took effect upon publication in the Official Gazette on August 19.
- Where
- Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh; Assam and Tripura tribal areas are excepted.
- Why
- To define where the March 11, 2024 order under Section 6B of the Citizenship Act will not apply and how pending applications should be handled.
- Issuing authority
- Ministry of Home Affairs
- Order date
- August 19
- Earlier order affected
- MHA Gazette order dated March 11, 2024
- Legal basis
- Section 6B of the Citizenship Act, 1955, read with Rule 11A of the Citizenship Rules, 2009
- Regions covered
- Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh
- Rescinded orders
- MHA orders dated February 20 and March 2
- Pending applications
- Applications will be transferred to the concerned Collector