Citizenship – Meaning, Types & Provisions
Delhi Police/SSC Polity – Full Study Guide
Article – Citizenship
Topic: Indian Polity – Constitutional Provisions and Amendments for Delhi Police & SSC Exams
1. Meaning of Citizenship
Citizenship is the legal status that recognizes a person as a member of a sovereign nation and grants rights, privileges, and duties under its Constitution.
It defines the relationship between the individual and the State.
Who is a Citizen?
Citizen
- ✅ Fundamental Rights (except a few reserved for Indians only)
- ✅ Political rights like voting & contesting elections
- ✅ Protection under Indian laws
Alien (Foreigner)
- ❌ Cannot vote
- ❌ Cannot hold public office
- ❌ Have limited legal protection
2. Constitutional Basis
Articles 5 to 11 (Part II) of the Indian Constitution deal with Citizenship.
| Article | Subject |
|---|---|
| 5 | Citizenship at commencement of Constitution |
| 6 | Rights of citizenship of certain persons who migrated from Pakistan to India |
| 7 | Rights of citizenship of certain migrants to Pakistan |
| 8 | Citizenship for Indians living abroad |
| 9 | Voluntary acquisition of foreign citizenship leads to loss of Indian citizenship |
| 10 | Continuance of citizenship rights |
| 11 | Parliament to regulate citizenship by law |
3. Citizenship at the Commencement of the Constitution (26 January 1950)
| Category | Provision (Article) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Born in India | Art. 5 | Domicile in India at commencement |
| Migrated from Pakistan | Art. 6 | Residing in India before 19 July 1948 or registered after |
| Migrated to Pakistan but returned | Art. 7 | Permitted to resettle |
| Indians abroad | Art. 8 | Registered by Indian Consulates |
| Continuation | Art. 10 | Rights to continue citizenship until Parliament decides otherwise |
4. Citizenship Act, 1955
Since Articles 5–11 were temporary, the Citizenship Act, 1955 was passed to regulate citizenship after the Constitution came into effect.
Modes of Acquiring Citizenship (as per Act of 1955)
| Mode | Description |
|---|---|
| By Birth | Born in India (as per rules at that time) |
| By Descent | Born abroad to Indian parents |
| By Registration | Applies after residing in India for a fixed period |
| By Naturalization | Residing in India for 12+ years and fulfilling conditions |
| By Incorporation of Territory | If new territory becomes part of India (e.g., Goa 1961) |
Modes of Losing Citizenship
| Mode | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Renunciation | Voluntary giving up of citizenship |
| Termination | Automatic loss when acquiring citizenship of another country |
| Deprivation | Government cancels citizenship for fraud, disloyalty, etc. |
Important Amendments & Acts Related to Citizenship
| Amendment / Act | Year | Key Provision |
|---|---|---|
| Citizenship Act | 1955 | Basic citizenship law |
| 6th Amendment | 1986 | Citizenship by birth restricted if parents are Indians |
| 10th Amendment | 1987 | Citizenship after inclusion of Dadra & Nagar Haveli |
| 12th Amendment | 1962 | Sikkimese citizens recognized after merger |
| 2003 Amendment | 2003 | Introduced concept of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) |
| 2019 Amendment (CAA) | 2019 | Citizenship to persecuted minorities from PAK, AFG, BGD (Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, Christians) |
Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) and PIO
PIO (Person of Indian Origin)
- Foreign citizen of Indian ancestry
- Can visit India visa-free for 15 years (merged with OCI in 2015)
OCI (Overseas Citizen of India)
- For persons of Indian origin living abroad
- Lifelong visa, can’t vote or hold public office
PYQs (Delhi Police + SSC + State Exams)
Citizenship in India is regulated by —
A) President of India B) Parliament C) Supreme Court D) Election Commission
Category: Parliamentary Power
Show Answer
B) Parliament
Which Article of the Constitution empowers Parliament to make laws regarding citizenship?
A) Article 10 B) Article 11 C) Article 9 D) Article 8
Category: Constitutional Provision
Show Answer
B) Article 11
Which part of the Constitution deals with citizenship?
A) Part I B) Part II C) Part III D) Part IV
Category: Constitution Structure
Show Answer
B) Part II
Which Act governs citizenship in India?
A) Citizenship Act, 1947 B) Citizenship Act, 1955 C) Citizenship Act, 1962 D) Indian Nationality Act, 1950
Category: Acts
Show Answer
B) Citizenship Act, 1955
How many ways are there to acquire Indian citizenship?
A) 3 B) 4 C) 5 D) 6
Category: Modes
Show Answer
C) 5
Citizenship by birth in India is governed by which Act?
A) 1947 Act B) 1950 Act C) 1955 Act D) 1986 Act
Category: Citizenship by Birth
Show Answer
D) 1986 Act
Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) 2019 provides citizenship to —
A) All immigrants B) Only Muslims from neighboring countries C) Persecuted minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh (non-Muslims) D) Refugees from Africa
Category: CAA
Show Answer
C) Persecuted minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh (non-Muslims)
Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) was introduced in which year?
A) 2001 B) 2003 C) 2005 D) 2010
Category: OCI
Show Answer
B) 2003
Under which Article does a person lose Indian citizenship upon acquiring foreign citizenship?
A) Article 5 B) Article 7 C) Article 9 D) Article 10
Category: Loss of Citizenship
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C) Article 9
Which Amendment Act introduced the concept of OCI card?
A) 86th B) 91st C) 93rd D) 2003 Amendment
Category: Amendments
Show Answer
D) 2003 Amendment
8. Summary Table – Citizenship in India
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Articles | 5 to 11 |
| Part | II |
| Act | Citizenship Act, 1955 |
| Acquisition | Birth, Descent, Registration, Naturalization, Incorporation |
| Loss | Renunciation, Termination, Deprivation |
| Authority | Parliament |
| Recent Act | Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019 |
| OCI Introduced | 2003 |
9. Key Differences: Indian Citizenship vs Dual Citizenship
| Aspect | India | USA |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Single Citizenship | Dual Citizenship |
| Based On | Unity of Nation | Federal Structure |
| Can Hold Two Passports? | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Reason | National unity | State–Federal system |
10. Exam Tricks & Mnemonics
Trick 1:
B-D-R-N-I → Five Ways to Gain Citizenship.
Trick 2:
R-T-D → Three Ways to Lose Citizenship.
Trick 3:
5–11 → Constitutional Range for Citizenship.
Trick 4:
OCI = Overseas Citizen; Indian by roots, global by residence.
11. Final Exam Tips
- Articles 5–11
- Citizenship Act, 1955
- CAA, 2019 provisions
- Five acquisition modes & three loss modes
- OCI and PIO differences
Most Repeated Questions:
- Article 11 (Parliament’s power)
- Citizenship Act, 1955
- Modes of citizenship
- CAA beneficiaries
Being an Indian citizen is not just about where you live — it’s about what values you uphold.
Master Polity for Delhi Police Exam – Full Citizenship Coverage!
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