Why is it in the news?

• The Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court has examined the Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955.
• Petitioners argue about the potential impact of the section 6A on political and economic rights of local Assam population.

More about the news

• Inserted in 1985 as part of the Assam Accord (Signed by All Assam Students Union, Assam government, and the Government of India).
• Aimed at detecting and deporting foreigners in Assam.
• Grants citizenship to those who migrated to Assam before January 1, 1966.
• Provisions of Section 6A: Grants citizenship rights and obligations to foreigners in Assam pre-1966; and individuals must be “ordinarily resident” in the state.