Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955
Assam Accord and the Special Citizenship Regime
Assam has a unique citizenship framework under Section 6A, distinct from the general citizenship provisions and the CAA.
- Section 6A was inserted by the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 1985, to implement the Assam Accord (August 15, 1985) — a political settlement between the Government of India and the All Assam Students' Union (AASU).
- Cut-off dates under Section 6A:
- Those who entered Assam before January 1, 1966: Deemed citizens.
- Those who entered between January 1, 1966 and March 24, 1971: Entitled to citizenship after 10 years of ordinary residence (disenfranchised for 10 years).
- Those who entered on or after March 25, 1971: Illegal immigrants — subject to detection and deportation.
- Section 6A applies only to Assam — other states follow the general citizenship provisions.
- The Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of Section 6A in Assam Sanmilita Mahasangha v. Union of India (2014), with a larger five-judge bench subsequently hearing the matter.
- The NRC (National Register of Citizens) in Assam was updated based on documentation of residence before March 24, 1971.
● Tracked since March 06, 2026 · last seen August 10, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
See it in today’s brief.
Daily current affairs with every static concept explained in place.
Read the daily brief