Citizenship in India Notes for SSC Exams

The Indian Constitution provides for single citizenship. Part II (Articles 5 to 11) deals with citizenship at the commencement of the Constitution and Parliament makes the law for the rest through the Citizenship Act, 1955.

Constitutional Provisions

Acquiring Citizenship (Act of 1955)

• By birth: a person born in India. Rules were tightened by amendments in 1986 and 2003.
• By descent: a person born outside India whose parent is an Indian citizen.
• By registration: for persons of Indian origin and others, as specified in the Act.
• By naturalisation: after 12 years of residence (with a relaxation for certain groups).
• By incorporation of territory: when new territory becomes part of India.

Losing Citizenship

• Renunciation: voluntarily giving up citizenship.
• Termination: by acquiring the citizenship of another country.
• Deprivation: compulsory termination by the Government in certain cases such as fraud.

Important Amendments and Concepts

• Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA) gives a path to citizenship to persecuted minorities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan who came before 31 December 2014.
• The Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card was introduced by the 2005 amendment. OCI holders are not full citizens and cannot vote.
• India does not allow dual citizenship.

Quick Tips

• Remember the five ways to acquire and three ways to lose citizenship.
• Article 11 gives the power to Parliament.
• OCI holders do not have voting rights.
• Part II of the Constitution is about citizenship.

Quick Revision Points

• Citizenship is in Part II, Articles 5 to 11.
• India has single citizenship.
• Citizenship Act is of 1955.
• Five ways to acquire citizenship.
• Three ways to lose citizenship.
• OCI cards began in 2005.

Practice Questions With Answers

1. Which articles of the Constitution deal with citizenship?
   Answer: Articles 5 to 11
2. In which year was the Citizenship Act passed?
   Answer: 1955
3. How many ways of acquiring citizenship are given in the Act?
   Answer: Five
4. Who has the power to make laws on citizenship?
   Answer: Parliament (Article 11)
5. How many years of residence are needed for naturalisation?
   Answer: 12 years
6. What does OCI stand for?
   Answer: Overseas Citizen of India
7. Does India allow dual citizenship?
   Answer: No
8. Which article provides that a person who voluntarily acquires foreign citizenship cannot be an Indian citizen?
   Answer: Article 9

How to Practise This Chapter

Practise 10 questions every day and write the steps on paper. Then attempt timed sets from our practice papers and the previous year papers page. See all topics on the Indian Polity notes page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of citizenship does India have?

Single citizenship.

Which Part of the Constitution deals with citizenship?

Part II.

What are the ways to acquire citizenship?

Birth, descent, registration, naturalisation and incorporation of territory.

What are the ways to lose citizenship?

Renunciation, termination and deprivation.

What is the CAA 2019?

An amendment that offers citizenship to certain persecuted minorities from three neighbouring countries.

Can an OCI vote in India?

No.

Who grants citizenship?

The Central Government under the Citizenship Act.

What is naturalisation?

Acquiring citizenship after living in the country for the required years.

What is deprivation?

Compulsory termination of citizenship by the Government.

Is citizenship a Fundamental Right?

No, but several fundamental rights are available only to citizens.