(3)On being satisfied about the correctness of the particulars of application and before forwarding the application to the State Government or the Union territory Administration, as the case may be, the Collector shall administer to the applicant, who has applied for grant of citizenship by registration, the oath of allegiance as specified in the Second Schedule to the Citizenship Act, 1955.[Provided that in respect of an application submitted by any person belonging to minority community in Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan (namely, Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians), in the absence of the Collector, an officer not below the rank of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate authorised in writing by the Collector, may administer to the applicant the oath of allegiance.] [Inserted by Notification No. G.S.R. 1168 (E), dated 23.12.2016 (w.e.f. 25.2.2009).]
