Citizenship Act
Evolution, Amendments & The CAA 2019
PART I — BASE & EARLY SHIFTS
ACT 1955
The Principal Act
- Base legal framework
- Modifies constitutional provisions
- Acquisition and loss
- Replaced British laws
AMEND 1986
Bloodline Filter
- Curbed illegal migration
- Jus soli restricted
- One Indian parent
- Assam Accord influence
AMEND 1992
Gender Parity
- Gender equality achieved
- Maternal descent recognized
- Both parents equal
- Lineage laws updated
PART II — OVERSEAS ERA
AMEND 2003
OCI Introduction
- Defined illegal migrants
- Introduced OCI concept
- Dual citizenship rejected
- Strict border control
AMEND 2015
Cardholder Merger
- PIO and OCI merged
- Unified overseas scheme
- Simplified diaspora engagement
- Cardholder rights expanded
PART III — CAA 2019
AMEND 2019
Selective Refuge
- Six persecuted minorities
- Three neighboring countries
- Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan
- Religious persecution focus
CONDITIONS
Cut-off & Relief
- Non-Muslim minorities
- Entered before Dec 2014
- Naturalisation reduced (5 yrs)
- Exempt from deportation
EXEMPTIONS
Shielded Zones
- Sixth Schedule areas
- Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram
- Inner Line Permit
- Protects tribal autonomy
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