Assam Sees Increase in Citizenship Applications Under CAA

In Assam, the number of citizenship applications under the Citizenship Amendment Act has reached 70, with six individuals granted citizenship. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma provided these updates during a legislative assembly session. The state has identified over 172,000 foreigners, with ongoing cases in tribunals. Notably, a woman from Cachar became the first to receive citizenship under the CAA after spending two years in detention. This article explores the implications of these developments and the government's actions regarding foreign nationals in Assam.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 7, 2026, 11:44 IST

Citizenship Applications in Assam

File image of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma (Photo: @himantabiswa/X)

Guwahati, July 6: So far, 70 individuals have submitted applications for Indian citizenship in Assam under the Citizenship Amendment Act, with six of these applications successfully approved.

This information was provided by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who oversees the home and political department, during the Question Hour in the Assam Legislative Assembly on Monday, responding to a question posed by AGP MLA Diptimayee Choudhury.

According to Sarma, a total of 1,72,673 foreigners have been identified in the state as per the Assam Accord's guidelines.

He also mentioned that 31,789 foreigners have been expelled from Assam up until June 30 this year, while cases concerning another 73,759 individuals are currently pending in foreigners tribunals.

As for the identified foreigners, 174 have been placed in the Matia transit camp located in Goalpara district. Sarma noted that Rs 1,86,15,642 has been allocated for the establishment of the detention camp.

Up until November of the previous year, only three individuals had been granted citizenship from approximately 40 applications received.

In March 2026, a woman from Cachar, who had been labeled a foreigner by a Foreigners' Tribunal and spent nearly two years in a detention center, became the first person in Assam to obtain Indian citizenship under the CAA.

Additionally, two more individuals from Barak Valley were granted citizenship in December 2025, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to six.