Citizenship in India defines who is a legal member of the country and what rights and duties they possess. The Indian Constitution includes citizenship provisions under Articles 5–11, which explain how citizenship was determined when the Constitution came into force (1950). Parliament has the power to regulate citizenship through the Citizenship Act, 1955 and its amendments.
NDA & CDS 1 2026 Exam GK – Citizenship
Key modes of acquiring Indian citizenship:
- By Birth – born in India with certain conditions.
- By Descent – born to Indian parents abroad.
- By Registration – for persons of Indian origin and spouses of Indian citizens.
- By Naturalization – on fulfilling residence and other conditions.
- By Incorporation of Territory – when a region becomes part of India.
India does not allow dual citizenship; acquiring another country’s citizenship typically results in loss of Indian citizenship. The 2019 amendment reduced the residence requirement for citizenship by naturalization for specified persecuted minorities from neighboring countries.
1. Citizenship of persons domiciled in India at the commencement of the Constitution is covered under:
A) Article 5
B) Article 6
C) Article 7
D) Article 8
Answer: A) Article 5
Explanation:
Article 5 of the Indian Constitution deals with citizenship at the commencement (26 January 1950). It applies to persons domiciled in India who were born in India, or whose parents were born in India, or who had been ordinarily resident for at least 5 years before the Constitution came into force.
2. Which Article deals with the rights of citizenship of migrants from Pakistan to India?
A) Article 5
B) Article 6
C) Article 7
D) Article 11
Answer: B) Article 6
Explanation:
Article 6 deals with persons who migrated from Pakistan to India before or after July 19, 1948, and lays down conditions for their citizenship.
3. The Parliament’s power to regulate citizenship is given under:
A) Article 9
B) Article 10
C) Article 11
D) Article 12
Answer: C) Article 11
Explanation:
Article 11 empowers Parliament to make laws regarding acquisition and termination of citizenship. Using this power, Parliament enacted the Citizenship Act, 1955.
4. The Citizenship Act, 1955 provides for acquisition of citizenship by all EXCEPT:
A) Birth
B) Descent
C) Registration
D) Property ownership
Answer: D) Property ownership
Explanation:
The Act provides citizenship by:
- Birth
- Descent
- Registration
- Naturalization
- Incorporation of territory
Property ownership does not grant citizenship in India.
5. Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) was introduced through amendment in:
A) 1986
B) 1992
C) 2003
D) 2019
Answer: C) 2003
Explanation:
OCI was introduced through the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2003. It provides certain benefits to persons of Indian origin but does not grant full political rights.
6. A person voluntarily acquiring citizenship of another country:
A) Automatically retains Indian citizenship
B) Loses Indian citizenship
C) Requires President’s approval
D) Becomes an OCI automatically
Answer: B) Loses Indian citizenship
Explanation:
Under the Citizenship Act, 1955, India does not allow dual citizenship. If a person voluntarily acquires citizenship of another country, Indian citizenship is terminated.
7. Which among the following is NOT a ground for deprivation of citizenship?
A) Fraudulent registration
B) Disloyalty to the Constitution
C) Continuous residence abroad for 7 years
D) Criticizing government policies
Answer: D) Criticizing government policies
Explanation:
Citizenship can be deprived for fraud, disloyalty, unlawful trade during war, or prolonged residence abroad. Criticizing government policies is a democratic right and not a ground for deprivation.
8. The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 reduced the period of naturalization for certain communities from:
A) 12 years to 5 years
B) 11 years to 5 years
C) 10 years to 6 years
D) 14 years to 7 years
Answer: B) 11 years to 5 years
Explanation:
The 2019 Amendment reduced the required period of residence in India for naturalization from 11 years to 5 years for specified minority communities from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.
9. Which committee recommended inclusion of provisions related to citizenship in the Constitution?
A) Union Powers Committee
B) Drafting Committee
C) Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights
D) Minorities Sub-Committee
Answer: B) Drafting Committee
Explanation:
The Drafting Committee, chaired by B. R. Ambedkar, incorporated citizenship provisions (Articles 5–11) in the Constitution.
10. In India, citizenship is included in which list of the Constitution?
A) State List
B) Concurrent List
C) Union List
D) Not in any list
Answer: C) Union List
Explanation:
Citizenship, naturalization, and aliens fall under the Union List (List I) in the Seventh Schedule. Therefore, only Parliament has the power to legislate on citizenship matters.
Here are 5 Hard Case-Based MCQs on Indian Citizenship (Board + Competitive Level) with detailed explanations:
citizens if they were ordinarily resident in India. No permit was required for those who migrated before this date.
2. Case Study – Migration After 19 July 1948
Shabana migrated from Pakistan to India in December 1948. She obtained a permit for resettlement and has been living in India since then.
Under which condition will she be eligible for citizenship?
A) Only if born in India
B) Only if registered by an officer appointed by the Government of India
C) Automatically after 5 years
D) Only after naturalization under the Citizenship Act, 1955
Answer: B) Only if registered by an officer appointed by the Government of India
Explanation:
Under Article 6, persons migrating after 19 July 1948 must:
- Have a permit for resettlement
- Get themselves registered by an authorized officer
Only then can they become citizens.
3. Case Study – Voluntary Foreign Citizenship
Anita, an Indian citizen, voluntarily acquires Canadian citizenship in 2025 but continues to hold her Indian passport.
What is her legal status?
A) She retains dual citizenship
B) She becomes an Overseas Citizen of India automatically
C) She loses Indian citizenship
D) She remains an Indian citizen until government cancellation
Answer: C) She loses Indian citizenship
Explanation:
Under the Citizenship Act, 1955, India does not allow dual citizenship. If a person voluntarily acquires citizenship of another country, Indian citizenship is automatically terminated.
4. Case Study – Citizenship by Incorporation of Territory
In 1961, when Goa became part of India, the residents of Goa became Indian citizens.
This mode of acquiring citizenship is known as:
A) Naturalization
B) Registration
C) Descent
D) Incorporation of Territory
Answer: D) Incorporation of Territory
Explanation:
When a new territory becomes part of India (like Goa in 1961), the Government of India specifies who among the residents will become citizens. This is called citizenship by incorporation of territory under the Citizenship Act, 1955.
5. Case Study – Citizenship Amendment 2019
Rahim, a Hindu from Afghanistan, entered India in 2014 due to religious persecution. He has been living in India continuously for 6 years.
Under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, what is his eligibility status?
A) Not eligible for citizenship
B) Eligible after 11 years of residence
C) Eligible after 5 years of residence
D) Automatically becomes citizen on entry
Answer: C) Eligible after 5 years of residence
Explanation:
The 2019 Amendment reduced the required period of residence from 11 years to 5 years for certain minority communities (Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, Christians) from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.
