3 months travel to India before eligibility date

[SoNearCitizen]

Hello:

 

 I have an employment sponsored GC obtained on July 10, 2011. Except one speeding violation in 2006 and an accident in 2009, I have a clean record for 16 years in the U.S. I have  not left U.S. in the last five years except for 2 months in 2014.

 

I know I can apply for citizenship in April 2016. But I need to travel to India for three months from December to March. I was wondering if I could come back and apply for citizenship in April or if I need to wait until July to satisfy the rule that says we need to be living in the state of application for at least 3 months before applying.

 

That rule does not say "immediately preceding" the date of application, but I wanted to double check to make sure so that my application is not denied. I have extensive overseas travel in the next 2-3 years, so it is important that I both obtain the citizenship and obtain it soon.

 

Thanks.