President Ram Nath Kovind late on Thursday night gave his assent to the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019, turning it into an Act.
As per the official notification, the Act comes into effect with its publication in the official gazette on Thursday.
The contentious law promises citizenship to members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities who have come from three neighbouring countries till December 31, 2014 and have faced religious persecution there.
The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill was passed by Rajya Sabha on Wednesday with 125 votes in favor of it and by Lok Sabha on Monday after heated debates.
The bill has triggered massive protests in the northeast. Protesters descended on the streets of Assam, clashing with police and plunging the state into chaos.
