District Commissioners in J&K and Ladakh Authorized to Issue Indian Citizenship

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs issued an order authorising District Commissioners (DCs) in the union territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh to directly grant Indian citizenship to eligible applicants. Under the new directive, DCs will assess applications, verify documents and ensure compliance with existing citizenship criteria, reducing reliance on central processing centres. The move is intended to accelerate the issuance of citizenship certificates in the region, where administrative challenges have previously caused delays. Officials said the DCs will work closely with local police and revenue departments to maintain security and accuracy during verification. The policy is expected to benefit residents seeking citizenship and streamline governance in the two territories.