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MHA Constitutes 2 Empowered Committees in West Bengal Under CAA 2019, Invoking Section 6B of Citizenship Act 1955

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
02 Mar 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:Section 6B of Citizenship Act, 1955Rule 11A of Citizenship Rules, 2009
Bodies:Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)Registrar General and Census Commissioner of IndiaSubsidiary Intelligence Bureau (IB)Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO)National Informatics Centre (NIC)India Post
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.MHA notified two more Empowered Committees in West Bengal to expedite citizenship applications under the CAA.

2.The committees are constituted under Section 6B of the Citizenship Act, 1955 and Rule 11A of the Citizenship Rules, 2009, with members from IB, FRRO, NIC, and the Postal Department.

3.This administrative action intensifies the Centre-State political friction over the CAA, making it a high-potential topic for questions on federalism, citizenship, and governance.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

The Ministry of Home Affairs has notified two additional Empowered Committees in West Bengal to accelerate citizenship applications under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) 2019. This move comes just 10 days after the initial operationalization of the CAA process and amid significant political opposition in the state, indicating a strategic push for implementation ahead of elections.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Number of New Committees2
Legal Basis - SectionSection 6B of Citizenship Act, 1955
Legal Basis - RuleRule 11A of Citizenship Rules, 2009
Minimum Rank of ChairpersonDeputy Secretary (GoI)

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Number of New Committees: 2
  • ›Legal Basis - Section: Section 6B of Citizenship Act, 1955
  • ›Target this Data: '2' new Empowered Committees formed in West Bengal.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Section 6B of the Citizenship Act, 1955 and Rule 11A of the Citizenship Rules, 2009.

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Q1Static LinkageMedium

Under which ministry does the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India function, who is responsible for nominating the chairperson for the new Empowered Committees on CAA?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the Empowered Committees for CAA in West Bengal:

1. They are constituted under the powers conferred by Section 6B of the Citizenship Act, 1955.

2. Each committee is to be headed by an officer not below the rank of Joint Secretary to the Government of India.

3. The Post Master General of West Bengal is a mandatory member of each committee.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricEasy

How many additional Empowered Committees did the MHA notify for West Bengal to fast-track CAA applications, as per the recent news?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary objective of notifying additional Empowered Committees for the CAA in West Bengal, as indicated by the news context?

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