Full formGovernment & Exams
CAAstands forCitizenship Amendment Act
Full Form of CAA
What is CAA?
The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is a landmark Indian legislation enacted on December 12, 2019, which amends the Citizenship Act of 1955. Its primary objective is to grant Indian citizenship to persecuted religious minorities—Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians—who migrated from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan on or before December 31, 2014, due to religious persecution. The CAA sparked widespread national debate and protests, with supporters arguing it offers refuge to vulnerable communities, while critics claim it discriminates on the basis of religion, violating Article 14 of the Indian Constitution. The Act is implemented by the Ministry of Home Affairs and is frequently discussed in Parliament, news media, and legal forums. For students preparing for UPSC, SSC, and other Indian competitive exams, understanding the CAA is crucial as it often appears in polity, current affairs, and constitutional law sections. Its impact on India’s secular fabric, relationship with the National Register of Citizens (NRC), and ongoing judicial review in the Supreme Court remain key study points.
CAA का फुल फॉर्म
नागरिकता संशोधन अधिनियम
Example
The Citizenship Amendment Act of 2019 has been a hotly debated topic in Indian politics, especially during the 2020 Delhi elections.
CAA — frequently asked questions
What is the full form of CAA?
CAA stands for the Citizenship Amendment Act, a 2019 Indian law that grants citizenship to persecuted religious minorities from three neighbouring countries.
What does the CAA do in India?
The CAA fast-tracks citizenship for non-Muslim immigrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan who arrived in India before 2015, but it does not affect the citizenship of existing Indian citizens.
Is the CAA related to the NRC?
The CAA and NRC are separate processes, but they were often presented together by the government. The CAA protects migrants from specific countries, while the NRC is a nationwide exercise to identify illegal immigrants.