📑 Topics on this page (Jump to Topic):
📌 1. Constitutional Provisions
| Article | Subject |
|---|---|
| Art. 5 | Citizenship at commencement by domicile |
| Art. 6 | Persons migrated to India from Pakistan |
| Art. 7 | Persons who migrated to Pakistan and later returned |
| Art. 8 | Persons of Indian origin residing outside India |
| Art. 9 | Voluntarily acquiring foreign citizenship ends Indian citizenship |
| Art. 10 | Continuance of rights of citizenship |
| Art. 11 | Parliament to regulate citizenship by law |
- Part II only identifies who were citizens on 26 Jan 1950; later acquisition/loss is under the Citizenship Act 1955.
- India has single citizenship (from Britain) — not dual (federal + state) like the USA.
- Citizenship provisions came into force on 26 Nov 1949 itself.
📌 2. Citizenship Act 1955
| Modes of acquisition | Summary |
|---|---|
| By birth | Born in India from 26 Jan 1950 to 1 July 1987 = citizen; later, conditions on parents' citizenship (after 2004: one parent citizen and the other not an illegal migrant). |
| By descent | Born outside India to an Indian citizen parent; registration of birth. |
| By registration | Persons of Indian origin, persons married to citizens (7 years residence) etc. |
| By naturalisation | Normally 12 years residence (12 months continuous before application + 11 of the preceding 14 years). |
| By incorporation of territory | e.g. people of Goa, Puducherry, Sikkim. |
| Loss | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Renunciation | Voluntary declaration |
| Termination | Automatic on voluntarily acquiring foreign citizenship |
| Deprivation | By the Central Government (fraud, disloyalty to the Constitution etc.) |
- OCI: started 2005; PIO card merged into OCI in 2015. OCI holders cannot vote, hold constitutional posts or government jobs — it is not dual citizenship.
- Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019: Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, Christian migrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan who entered by 31 Dec 2014 — naturalisation period 5 years; rules notified 11 March 2024.
- Pravasi Bharatiya Divas: 9 January (Gandhi's return from South Africa in 1915).
⚠️ Exam Traps:
- Rights only for citizens: Art. 15, 16, 19, 29, 30; voting; posts like President, VP, judges, Governor, Attorney General.
- Art. 14, 20, 21, 25 etc. are available to foreigners too.
📌 3. Practice MCQs
📝 Practice MCQs (prepared by SF Prep — not PYQs)
Q1. Which Part of the Constitution deals with citizenship? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
Part II (Art. 5–11) deals with citizenship.
Part II (Art. 5–11) deals with citizenship.
Q2. Which Article empowers Parliament to regulate citizenship by law? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
Art. 11 empowers Parliament to legislate on acquisition and loss of citizenship.
Art. 11 empowers Parliament to legislate on acquisition and loss of citizenship.
Q3. The concept of single citizenship in India is borrowed from: Practice
Correct answer: (B)
Single citizenship is from Britain; the USA has dual citizenship.
Single citizenship is from Britain; the USA has dual citizenship.
Q4. Which is NOT a mode of acquiring citizenship under the Citizenship Act 1955? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
Five modes: birth, descent, registration, naturalisation, incorporation of territory.
Five modes: birth, descent, registration, naturalisation, incorporation of territory.
Q5. Loss of Indian citizenship on voluntarily acquiring another country's citizenship is called: Practice
Correct answer: (C)
This is automatic termination; renunciation is a voluntary declaration; deprivation is by the government.
This is automatic termination; renunciation is a voluntary declaration; deprivation is by the government.
Q6. Who can deprive a person of citizenship? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
Under the Citizenship Act, the Central Government orders deprivation.
Under the Citizenship Act, the Central Government orders deprivation.
Q7. What is the cut-off date of entry into India for eligible migrants under CAA 2019? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
Those who entered on or before 31 Dec 2014 are eligible.
Those who entered on or before 31 Dec 2014 are eligible.
Q8. CAA 2019 applies to migrants from which countries? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
To six minority communities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
To six minority communities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Q9. When were the CAA rules notified? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
The CAA rules were notified on 11 March 2024.
The CAA rules were notified on 11 March 2024.
Q10. Which is true about an OCI cardholder? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
OCI is not dual citizenship; no voting, constitutional posts or government jobs.
OCI is not dual citizenship; no voting, constitutional posts or government jobs.
Q11. When was the PIO card scheme merged with OCI? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
The 2015 amendment merged PIO into OCI.
The 2015 amendment merged PIO into OCI.
Q12. When is Pravasi Bharatiya Divas observed? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
Gandhi returned from South Africa on 9 Jan 1915.
Gandhi returned from South Africa on 9 Jan 1915.
Q13. Which Fundamental Right is available ONLY to citizens? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
Art. 15, 16, 19, 29 and 30 are for citizens only.
Art. 15, 16, 19, 29 and 30 are for citizens only.
Q14. When did the constitutional provisions on citizenship come into force? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
Citizenship, election and similar provisions came into force on 26 Nov 1949.
Citizenship, election and similar provisions came into force on 26 Nov 1949.
Q15. What is the normal residence requirement for citizenship by naturalisation? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
Normally 12 years (5 years for CAA-eligible communities).
Normally 12 years (5 years for CAA-eligible communities).
Q16. How did the people of Goa acquire Indian citizenship? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
When a territory becomes part of India its people become citizens — Goa, Puducherry, Sikkim.
When a territory becomes part of India its people become citizens — Goa, Puducherry, Sikkim.
Q17. "A person voluntarily acquiring foreign citizenship shall not be an Indian citizen" — which Article? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
Art. 9 bars dual citizenship.
Art. 9 bars dual citizenship.
Q18. Citizenship merely by birth in India (regardless of parents) applied to those born up to: Practice
Correct answer: (A)
All born in India from 26 Jan 1950 to 1 July 1987 are citizens.
All born in India from 26 Jan 1950 to 1 July 1987 are citizens.
Q19. In which year was the OCI scheme launched? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
OCI was launched in 2005 (after the 2003 amendment).
OCI was launched in 2005 (after the 2003 amendment).
Q20. A foreigner married to an Indian citizen can apply for citizenship by registration after how many years of residence? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
Under the Citizenship Act, 7 years of ordinary residence.
Under the Citizenship Act, 7 years of ordinary residence.