Inner Line Permit
In one line: The Inner Line Permit (ILP) is a travel document that Indians from other States need to enter certain north-eastern States.
Origin
The ILP comes from the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873, a colonial law meant to protect tribal areas and control access. It applies in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram, and was extended to Manipur in December 2019.
What it does and does not do
The ILP limits the entry and stay of outsiders, including Indian citizens, and protects local land and jobs. It does not decide who is a citizen. The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 does not apply in ILP areas.
Why it is in the news
Groups seeking an NRC in Manipur argue that the ILP alone cannot detect illegal migrants already living in the State.
Where to go next
- The Assam NRC
- Citizenship under Articles 5 to 11
Inner Line Permit in the news
- Explained: Why Nagaland wants the Protected Area Permit regime scrapped before Hornbill 4 November 2026
The permit for Indian citizens, not to be confused with the PAP.
- Manipur to press the Centre for an NRC update with 1951 as the base year 8 September 2026
Manipur's existing entry control
Previous-year questions on this
- 2025 · GS3 · 15 marks What are the major challenges to internal security and peace process in the North-Eastern States? Map the various peace accords and agreements initiated by the government in the past decade.
- 2019 · GS3 · 15 marks Cross-border movement of insurgents is only one of the several security challenges facing the policing of the border in North-East India. Examine the various challenges currently emanating across…
- 2017 · GS3 · 10 marks The North-Eastern region of India has been infested with insurgency for a very long time. Analyze the major reasons for the survival of armed insurgency in this region.