The NRC Saga Continues: Where Does Assam Stand in 2025?
Assam, entering 2025, still has one of the most controversial and outstanding issues, and that is the National Register of Citizens (NRC). The final list of August 2019 left out 1.9 million individuals, but six years have gone by, and most of the cases are still stuck in legal uncertainty. Let’s take the latest update of this complicated citizenship crisis here.
Current Status of NRC in Assam (2025)
1. The Stalled Process
The Supreme Court-supervised NRC exercise has been entirely standstill since 2019
Excluded ones still haven’t got rejection slips – vital for appeals
Just around 63,000 cases have been cleared by Foreigners Tribunals. (FTs) out of 1.9 million exclusions
2. Detention Camps: A Humanitarian Crisis
There are currently 7 operational detention centers in Assam
As of January 2025, approximately 350 declared foreigners remain detained
Government claims to have released 1,200 detainees since 2021 after completing detention periods
3. Political Battles Intensify
BJP government continues to reject the 2019 NRC, calling it “faulty”
Demands for fresh NRC with stricter parameters growing louder
Opposition parties criticize BJP for employing NRC for political polarization
Key Developments in 2025
Supreme Court Hearing Pending: Pivotal hearing on NRC re-verification due in March 2025 CAA Implementation: New citizenship law complicates NRC exclusions Digital Tracking: Government implementing biometric systems to track excluded persons Border Fencing: 86% of India-Bangladesh border in Assam fenced
What’s Next for Assam’s NRC?
Possible Scenarios
Re-verification Ordered: If SC acquiesces to BJP government’s request
Status Quo Continues: Legal limbo continues for excluded individuals
New Legislation: Possible new citizenship laws superseding NRC
Effect on Assam’s Society:
Ongoing uncertainty for 1.9 million excluded individuals
Increasing tensions in border districts such as Dhubri and Karimganj
Growing political polarization in the run-up to 2026 state polls
Conclusion: An Unfinished Chapter
Five years since its release, Assam’s NRC continues to be stuck in legal and political limbo. With the 2026 state polls nearing, the issue of citizenship is set to become even more political. The next few months will prove pivotal in deciding whether Assam receives closure or fresh strife on this three-decade-old issue.
What is your opinion?
Accept the 2019 NRC as final?
Conduct fresh verification?
Find a political solution?