Citizenship forms the foundation of a nation’s political structure. It defines the relationship between an individual and the state, outlining the rights, duties, and privileges granted to its members. In India, citizenship signifies full membership of the Indian State, providing individuals with fundamental rights and constitutional protections.
NDA & CDS 1 2026 Exam Polity – Citizenship
Constitutional Provisions
Citizenship in India is governed by Articles 5 to 11 of Part II of the Indian Constitution. These articles determine who are citizens of India at the time of the commencement of the Constitution (26 January 1950) and empower Parliament to regulate citizenship through legislation.
Articles Related to Citizenship:
| Article | Provision |
|---|---|
| Article 5 | Citizenship at the commencement of the Constitution. |
| Article 6 | Rights of citizenship of certain persons who migrated from Pakistan to India. |
| Article 7 | Rights of citizenship of certain migrants to Pakistan. |
| Article 8 | Rights of citizenship of Indians residing outside India. |
| Article 9 | Persons voluntarily acquiring foreign citizenship cease to be Indian citizens. |
| Article 10 | Continuance of the rights of citizenship. |
| Article 11 | Parliament empowered to regulate citizenship by law. |
Citizenship Act, 1955
To implement the constitutional provisions, Parliament enacted the Citizenship Act, 1955. This Act lays down five primary ways of acquiring Indian citizenship and provides conditions under which it can be terminated.
1. Citizenship by Birth (Section 3):
- Persons born in India between 26 January 1950 and 1 July 1987 are Indian citizens by birth.
- Those born between 1 July 1987 and 3 December 2004 are citizens if either parent is an Indian citizen.
- After 3 December 2004, a child is a citizen only if both parents are Indian citizens or one is a citizen and the other is not an illegal migrant.
2. Citizenship by Descent (Section 4):
- A person born outside India after 26 January 1950 is a citizen by descent if either parent is an Indian citizen at the time of birth, subject to certain registration conditions.
3. Citizenship by Registration (Section 5):
- Granted to persons of Indian origin or their spouses residing in India for a prescribed period and applying in the prescribed manner.
4. Citizenship by Naturalisation (Section 6):
- A foreigner can become an Indian citizen if he/she has resided in India for 11 years (reduced to 5 years for certain categories) and fulfills other conditions laid down in the Act.
5. Citizenship by Incorporation of Territory (Section 7):
- If a new territory becomes part of India, the Government of India specifies the persons from that territory who shall become Indian citizens.
Loss of Citizenship
Citizenship can be lost in three ways:
- Renunciation – Voluntary giving up of citizenship.
- Termination – Automatic loss when a citizen voluntarily acquires foreign citizenship.
- Deprivation – Compulsory termination by the Government of India under certain conditions (e.g., fraud, disloyalty, etc.).
Recent Amendments
Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019
- Grants Indian citizenship to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christian immigrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh who entered India on or before 31 December 2014.
- Muslims were excluded from this provision.
- The amendment reduces the residence requirement for naturalisation from 11 years to 5 years for the above communities.
- It also introduced the concept of illegal migrants and addressed their legal status.
Single Citizenship
Unlike the United States, where there is dual citizenship (national and state), India follows the principle of Single Citizenship. Every Indian, irrespective of the state or union territory of residence, is a citizen of India only.
Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)
- Introduced by the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2005.
- Provides certain privileges to persons of Indian origin settled abroad, except political rights like voting or holding public office.
Key Facts for NDA & CDS Aspirants
- Citizenship provisions: Articles 5–11 (Part II)
- Related Act: Citizenship Act, 1955
- Amended last in 2019
- India has Single Citizenship
- President of India is the final authority in cases of deprivation of citizenship.
Conclusion
Citizenship is the legal bond between the individual and the Indian state. It provides identity, rights, and duties under the Constitution. Understanding its provisions is crucial for NDA and CDS aspirants as it forms an integral part of Indian Polity and Governance in competitive examinations.
✅ Quick Revision Points
- Articles 5–11 → Citizenship
- Act → Citizenship Act, 1955
- Five Ways → Birth, Descent, Registration, Naturalisation, Incorporation
- Loss of Citizenship → Renunciation, Termination, Deprivation
- Recent Change → Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019
