Correct option is D
The Correct Answer Is: (D) 11 March 2024
Explanation:
The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) was enacted in December 2019 to provide a pathway to Indian citizenship for persecuted minorities—Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians—from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan who entered India on or before December 31, 2014.
However, the Act required specific rules to be framed for its implementation. These rules were officially notified by the Ministry of Home Affairs on 11 March 2024, over four years after the Act's passage, thereby operationalizing the CAA.
Information Booster:
- Delayed Implementation: The significant delay in notifying the rules was attributed to widespread protests and the COVID-19 pandemic, which diverted governmental focus and resources.
- Eligibility Criteria: The CAA applies to individuals from the specified communities who entered India on or before December 31, 2014, and have faced religious persecution in their home countries.
- Exempted Areas: The Act does not apply to certain tribal areas and regions protected by the Inner Line Permit under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
- Application Process: Following the notification, eligible individuals can apply for citizenship through an online portal designated by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- Political Reactions: The notification of the rules sparked varied responses, with some political parties and civil society groups expressing concerns over the Act's implications.
- Legal Challenges: Several petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the CAA are pending before the Supreme Court of India.
The notification of the CAA rules on 11 March 2024 marked a pivotal step in operationalizing the Act, enabling eligible individuals to apply for Indian citizenship under the specified provisions.