Why in News?
The Supreme Court of India has scheduled final hearings from May 5, 2026 on more than 250 petitions challenging the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA). The petitions question the constitutional validity of the Act, especially on grounds of alleged religious discrimination.
Key Highlights:
- The CAA amends the Citizenship Act, 1955.
- It provides fast-track Indian citizenship to certain migrants facing religious persecution.
- Eligible communities: Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians.
- Countries covered: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
- Cut-off date: Migrants must have entered India on or before 31 December 2014.
- It reduces the residency requirement for citizenship from 11 years to 5 years for eligible migrants.
- Over 250 petitions challenge the Act’s constitutionality, mainly citing violation of Article 14 (Right to Equality). The Supreme Court will now conduct final hearings, which could have major constitutional implications