Supreme Court Seeks Replies From Centre, Assam on NRC Identity Cards
New Delhi | August 10, 2026: The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Union Government and the Assam Government to file their responses to a batch of petitions seeking the issuance of National Identity Cards to people whose names were included in Assam’s final National Register of Citizens (NRC) published in 2019.
The matter was heard by a Bench comprising Justice P.S. Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe. The petitions have been filed by the Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind, All Assam Minority Students’ Union (AAMSU) and the Assam Sankhyalaghu Sangram Parishad.
What Did the Supreme Court Say?
The Supreme Court has asked the Union and Assam governments to submit their replies to the petitions.
The Court has not yet directed the immediate issuance of NRC identity cards. The matter will be considered further after the authorities file their responses.
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the Jamiat, told the Court that although notices had previously been issued, responses from the Union and Assam governments were still awaited. He also sought permission to file a rejoinder to the response submitted by the Registrar General of India.
Why Are NRC Identity Cards at the Centre of the Case?
The petitions concern the steps that were expected to follow the publication of Assam’s final NRC in August 2019.
According to the petitioners, the authorities have not completed certain consequential measures contemplated under the Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003.
The petitioners specifically argue that National Identity Cards should be issued to people whose names were included in the final NRC. They cite Rule 13 of the 2003 Rules in support of their demand.
Around 3.11 Crore People Included in Final NRC
The final NRC published in Assam in 2019 included approximately 3.11 crore people, according to the petitions.
The petitioners contend that the absence of the identity cards means an important part of the NRC process remains incomplete.
At the same time, around 19 lakh people were excluded from the final NRC.
The petitions also raise concerns over the failure to issue rejection slips and provide the statutory appeal mechanism for people excluded from the list.
Petitioners Challenge Delay in Completing NRC Process
The petitioners have argued that the failure to take the steps they say are required after publication of the final NRC has created uncertainty for people included and excluded from the register.
They have also alleged that the authorities’ inaction is arbitrary and violates fundamental rights under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution. These are arguments advanced by the petitioners and have not been finally decided by the Supreme Court in Monday’s hearing.
Former NRC Coordinator Seeks Re-Verification
The Supreme Court hearing also touched on a separate petition filed by Hitesh Dev Sarma, former State Coordinator of the NRC.
Sarma’s petition reportedly seeks re-certification or re-verification of the NRC, citing alleged inaccuracies in the final list.
Senior Advocate Manish Goswami requested that the petition be tagged with the connected cases. The Court agreed that Sarma’s petition may be tagged and considered after the Union and Assam governments file their replies.
This creates an important contrast between the petitions: while some petitioners are seeking implementation of the final NRC and issuance of identity cards, the former NRC coordinator’s plea raises concerns about the accuracy of the list itself.
What Happens Next?
The immediate next step is for the Centre and Assam government to file their responses before the Supreme Court.
The Court is expected to consider the matter further after receiving those replies.
The proceedings could therefore have implications for questions surrounding the implementation of Assam’s final NRC, including identity documentation for those included in the list and the procedural remedies available to those excluded.
What Is the Assam NRC?
The National Register of Citizens (NRC) exercise in Assam was conducted under a special legal framework.
The final NRC list was published on August 31, 2019 after a long verification process. The exercise was aimed at identifying eligible Indian citizens in Assam under the applicable legal framework.
The Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003, contain specific provisions for the NRC in Assam.
Why This Case Matters
The Supreme Court proceedings are significant because they concern what happens after the publication of Assam’s final NRC.
The case brings several unresolved questions back before the Court, including:
- Whether identity cards should be issued to people included in the final NRC.
- What steps should follow for people excluded from the NRC.
- How the statutory appeal mechanism should operate.
- Whether the final NRC should be re-verified or re-certified.
- What responsibilities remain with the Union and Assam governments.
The Court’s latest direction does not settle these questions. It has asked the concerned governments to respond before proceeding further.
Key Points
- Hearing date: August 10, 2026
- Court: Supreme Court of India
- Issue: NRC identity cards and implementation of the final NRC
- Bench: Justice P.S. Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe
- Final NRC published: August 2019
- People included: Approximately 3.11 crore
- People excluded: Approximately 19 lakh
- Governments asked to reply: Union Government and Assam Government
- Separate plea: Former NRC coordinator seeks re-verification/re-certification
Bottom Line
The Supreme Court has sought responses from the Centre and Assam government on petitions concerning the issuance of National Identity Cards to people included in Assam’s final NRC.
The Court has not yet ordered the immediate issuance of the cards. The governments must first submit their responses, after which the Supreme Court will consider the matter further.
The proceedings could become an important development in the long-running Assam NRC process, particularly regarding the implementation of the 2019 final list and the legal procedures available to people included or excluded from it.
Boliya Views will continue to track the Supreme Court proceedings and bring you the latest updates from Assam and Northeast India.