The Supreme Court today has fixed a hearing schedule for the batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA).

The Bench of Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant,Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice Vipul M. Pancholi decided to first hear the general pan-India challenges to the CAA, followed by petitions specifically concerning Assam and Tripura, in line with an earlier 2020 order directing segregation of the matters.

Emphasising the need to streamline proceedings, the Court observed that the purpose of fixing dates now was to “put them on track so that these can be taken up as and when listed.” It also reminded counsel that written submissions are already on record, remarking, “there shall be no repetition of the written submissions which are already on record.”

During the hearing, senior counsel pointed to a “very important development” concerning Section 6A of the Citizenship Act and related issues affecting Assam, seeking liberty to file additional submissions. The Court granted permission to place on record any fresh material or supplementary written submissions within four weeks, clarifying that only new points may be added.

The Bench scheduled the general category matters for final hearing commencing 5 May 2026, allocating time to both petitioners and respondents, with Assam and Tripura matters to follow immediately thereafter. It noted that while there may be overlapping submissions, separate hearing blocks would aid “appreciation of the complex issues.”

Ms Pallavi Pratap, Nodal Counsel in lead matter. 
Ankit Yadav Nodal Counsel for Assam and Tripura and Kanu Agarwal for Union of India and Respondents