TheCitizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) became an Act after President Ram Nath Kovindgave his nod on Thursday.

Accordingto an official notification, the law comes into effect with its publication inthe official gazette on Thursday. As per the Act, members of Hindu, Sikh,Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities who have come from Pakistan,Bangladesh and Afghanistan till December 31, 2014 and facing religiouspersecution there will not be treated as illegal immigrants but given Indiancitizenship.

The CAB was passed by Rajya Sabha on Wednesday and by Lok Sabha on Monday after fiery debates.