What Is CAA? Know About Eligibility, Deadline, Areas Exempted

The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA) is a legislative enactment that amends the Citizenship Act, 1955

introducing provisions to grant Indian citizenship to specific categories of individuals.

In a significant move, the CAA was notified by Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Union government.

CAA Eligibility: The act aims to grant Indian citizenship to Hindus, Jains, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Parsis

from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

CAA Deadline: The 2019 amendment of the CAA extended eligibility to migrants who entered India until December 31, 2014.

The amendment also reduced the residency requirement for naturalisation. The aggregate period is reduced to 'not less than five years', as per the Act.

States Exempted: The CAA does not apply to tribal areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, or Tripura,

as included in the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution, and areas covered under 'The Inner Line' notified under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873.

Persons granted citizenship under this section are deemed to be citizens of India from the date of their entry into India.

Any pending proceedings against individuals for illegal migration or citizenship shall stand abated upon the conferment of citizenship.