Context: Recently, J&K administration has notified the J&K Grant of Domicile Certificate Procedure Rules, 2020 and set a fast-track process in motion to issue the certificates within a stipulated time of 15 days.
Key Points

• Domicile certificates have now been made a basic eligibility condition for appointment to any post under the Union Territory of J&K following the amendments in the previous Act.
• Under the amended rules, eligible non-locals can also apply for the certificate.
• It amended the rules for issuing domicile certificates in the Union territory.
• The new rules provide a simple time-bound and transparent procedure for issuance of domicile certificates.

About J&K Grant of Domicile Certificate (Procedure) Rules 2020

• It would provide the basis for issuing domicile certificates to those who meet the conditions as stated in the Centre’s gazette notification that introduced the domicile clause through an amendment to the Jammu And Kashmir Civil Services (Decentralisation And Recruitment) Act, 2010.
• Domicile certificates have now been made a basic eligibility condition for appointment to any post under the Union Territory of J&K.
• Under the amended rules, eligible non-locals can also apply for the certificate. The new process will allow West Pakistan refugees, safai karamcharis and children of women who married non-locals to apply for jobs.
• It defined domicile as any person who has resided for a period of 15 years in the UT of J&K or has studied for a period of seven years and appeared in class 10th and 12th examination in an educational institution located in the UT of J&K. 
• It also has provisions related to migrants and government officials. 
• These rules provide a simple time-bound and transparent procedure for issuance of domicile certificates. There is a timeline of 15 days for issuance of certificates.
• Domicile certificates have now been made a basic eligibility condition for appointment to any post under the Union Territory of J&K following the amendments in the previous Act.
• To make the process transparent and time-bound, any officer not able to issue the certificate would be penalised Rs 50,000. The amount would be recovered from his salary.
• All Permanent Resident Certificate holders and their children living outside J&K can apply for the certificates.
• Kashmiri migrants living in or outside J&K can get domicile certificates by simply producing their Permanent Residence Certificate (PRC), ration card copy, voter card or any other valid document.
• Bonafide migrants can apply with the Relief and Rehabilitation department by providing documents like electoral rolls of 1988, proof of registration as a migrant in any State in the country or any other valid document.