New Delhi: The Election Commission of India on June 24 had said that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) would be carried out across the country. The poll body has reportedly sent a directive to all State Chief Electoral Officers to prepare for the exercise. The move is significant given crucial Assembly elections due next year in the five states of West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu. Various States are also carrying out a crackdown on illegal foreign migrants, including those from Bangladesh and Myanmar.

The Election Commission on Sunday said that a large number of people from Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar were found during house-to-house verification of electoral rolls as part of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in Bihar. The names of such people will not be included in the final voter list to be published on September 30, it added.

Many people are presenting the Aadhaar card as proof of citizenship. However, let us clarify that UIDAI has clearly stated that the Aadhaar card is not a certificate of citizenship. It is only proof of identity and address. On July 10, hearing a bunch of petitions challenging the Bihar SIR, the Supreme Court had urged the ECI to consider Aadhaar, EPIC cards and ration cards as documentary proof as well.

However, it is important to note that UIDAI has clearly stated that the Aadhaar card is not a certificate of citizenship. It is only proof of identity and address. Here, we have listed the four documents that will help you to prove your citizenship.

Birth Certificate: The Birth certificate serves as evidence that you are a citizen of India. However, there are certain rules associated with it that also need to be fulfilled.

Indian Passport: The Indian passport itself is proof that you are an Indian citizen. The passport is issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, and it also mentions your citizenship.

Nationality Certificate: A nationality certificate serves as proof of your citizenship. It is usually issued by the state government or sometimes by a district-level authority. It is issued only under special circumstances. In some cases, it is also issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Naturalisation, on a certificate. If someone has a naturalisation certificate, they also do not need to prove their citizenship. This certificate is issued to those who have acquired Indian citizenship under Section 5 or 6 of the Citizenship Act, 1955.