All questions of Citizenship for UPSC CSE Exam

Indian Citizenship through Registration
The Indian Constitution provides various pathways for individuals to acquire citizenship. Among these, registration is a significant route specifically tailored for certain categories of persons.
Eligibility for Registration
- Persons of Indian Origin Residing Outside India: This category includes individuals who can trace their ancestry to India. Those who have either migrated from India or are descendants of Indian citizens are eligible for registration. This provision is designed to strengthen the bond between India and its diaspora, acknowledging their connection to the country.
- Conditions for Registration: To qualify, applicants must fulfill specific conditions such as being a person of Indian origin, having a valid passport, and demonstrating a genuine intention to reside in India. This registration is a means to facilitate their reintegration and engagement with Indian society.
Other Categories Explained
- Persons Born in India: Children born in India to foreign parents may not automatically acquire Indian citizenship unless specific criteria are met, such as the nationality of the parents.
- Persons Who Migrated from Pakistan: Those migrating from Pakistan may be eligible for citizenship through naturalization rather than registration. This process often involves more stringent requirements.
- Persons Who Migrated to Pakistan: Individuals who migrated to Pakistan after the partition typically do not qualify for Indian citizenship unless they meet particular criteria, such as returning to India for residency.
In summary, the correct answer is option 'A' because it specifically addresses persons of Indian origin residing outside India, allowing them to acquire citizenship through registration, thereby reinforcing their ties to the motherland.

Introduction
India's single citizenship is a fundamental aspect of its constitutional framework, ensuring that all its citizens, regardless of the state or region they belong to, enjoy the same rights and privileges.
Promoting Unity and Fraternity
- The primary reason for a single citizenship in India is to promote unity and fraternity among its diverse population.
- India is a nation characterized by a plethora of languages, cultures, and religions. A single citizenship fosters a sense of belonging and national identity.
Legal Framework
- Article 5 of the Indian Constitution explicitly states that every person who is born in India or has Indian parents is a citizen of India.
- This legal provision reinforces the idea that all citizens are equal under the law, regardless of their regional affiliations.
Social Cohesion
- A single citizenship helps in minimizing regional disparities and tensions. It encourages citizens to identify as Indians first, promoting social harmony.
- This unity is essential for the stability and integrity of the nation, particularly in a country with such vast diversity.
Conclusion
- In summary, India's single citizenship is vital for ensuring that all citizens, irrespective of their geographical location, enjoy the same rights and responsibilities.
- By promoting unity and fraternity, it plays a crucial role in maintaining national integrity and fostering a sense of collective identity among its people.

Continuous residence outside India for five years is not a ground for depriving a person of Indian citizenship. However, the other grounds, such as obtaining citizenship through false representation, disloyalty towards the Constitution, and assisting an enemy during wartime, are mentioned as reasons for deprivation of citizenship.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019
The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019, was introduced in India with a specific focus on the religious persecution faced by certain communities in neighboring countries. Here’s a detailed explanation of its main purpose:
Granting Citizenship to Specific Communities
- The bill aims to provide a pathway for Indian citizenship to non-Muslim religious minorities from three specific neighboring countries:
- Pakistan
- Bangladesh
- Afghanistan
- The communities mentioned in the bill include:
- Hindus
- Sikhs
- Buddhists
- Jains
- Parsis
- Christians
Exemption and Criteria
- The bill exempts certain areas from the provisions of the Inner Line Permit and the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which protect the rights of indigenous populations in specific regions.
- To qualify, individuals must have entered India on or before December 31, 2014, and must have faced religious persecution in their home countries.
Controversy and Criticism
- The bill has faced significant controversy and criticism, primarily because it distinguishes between communities based on religion, leading to allegations of discrimination against Muslims.
- Critics argue that it undermines the secular framework of the Indian Constitution by not providing similar provisions for Muslim refugees.
In summary, the main purpose of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019, is to grant citizenship specifically to religious minorities from the specified neighboring countries, thereby creating a pathway for those fleeing persecution.

Significance of Article 10 of the Constitution
Article 10 of the Constitution primarily focuses on the continuance of citizenship. It confirms that the rights associated with citizenship are maintained, albeit subject to laws that may govern them.
Key Points of Article 10:
- Continuance of Citizenship: Article 10 ensures that individuals who are granted citizenship continue to enjoy their status, which is vital for their identity and rights within the nation.
- Subject to Laws: While citizenship is guaranteed, it is important to note that this is contingent upon laws that may be enacted. This implies that the government has the authority to regulate aspects of citizenship through legislation, ensuring a balance between individual rights and the state's ability to maintain order.
- Protection of Rights: The article acts as a safeguard for citizens, ensuring they are protected under the law. However, it also makes it clear that these protections can be influenced by legal frameworks, reflecting the dynamic nature of citizenship in a constitutional context.
- Relevance in Governance: The significance of Article 10 extends to its role in governance and administration. It aids in the formulation of policies related to citizenship, immigration, and the rights of individuals, thereby impacting various socio-political aspects.
In summary, Article 10 plays a crucial role in defining citizenship within the constitutional framework, emphasizing the importance of lawful governance while protecting the rights and continuance of citizens.

The Citizenship Act includes provisions for acquiring citizenship by birth, descent, registration, and naturalization. However, citizenship by marriage is not explicitly mentioned as a mode of acquiring citizenship in the provided text.

Understanding the Constitutional Provision for Citizenship
The Constitution of India provides specific articles that govern various aspects of citizenship. Among these, Article 11 is crucial as it empowers Parliament to regulate the right of citizenship.
Article 11 Explained
- Parliamentary Power: Article 11 states that Parliament has the authority to make laws regarding the acquisition and termination of citizenship. This means that the parameters for citizenship are not rigidly defined in the Constitution but are subject to legislative action.
- Dynamic Nature: By allowing Parliament to regulate citizenship, Article 11 ensures that the country's citizenship laws can adapt over time to meet changing circumstances, such as demographic shifts or global migration trends.
Comparison with Other Articles
- Article 15: This article prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth. It does not deal with citizenship directly.
- Article 16: This article guarantees equality of opportunity in matters of public employment, again not addressing the structure of citizenship.
- Article 10: This article is not present in the Indian Constitution.
Conclusion
In summary, Article 11 is the correct answer as it specifically grants Parliament the authority to legislate on issues of citizenship. This legislative power is essential for maintaining an updated legal framework that reflects the needs and realities of the nation.

The Constitution grants citizens of India various rights, including equality of opportunity in public employment, freedom of speech, and the right to vote. However, the right to own private property is not explicitly mentioned as a constitutional right.

The correct answer is option 'B' - Part II.

The Indian Constitution deals with the provisions of citizenship in Part II. Part II of the Indian Constitution contains Articles 5 to 11, which define the various aspects of citizenship in India. Let's break down the provisions of citizenship as mentioned in Part II:

1. Article 5: This article states that at the commencement of the Constitution, every person who has his/her domicile in the territory of India and who was born in India, or either of whose parents was born in India, or who has been ordinarily resident in India for not less than five years immediately preceding such commencement, shall be a citizen of India.

2. Article 6: This article deals with the rights of citizenship of persons who migrated to India from Pakistan. It states that a person who has migrated to India from Pakistan shall be deemed to be a citizen of India if he/she fulfills certain conditions mentioned in the article.

3. Article 7: This article deals with the rights of citizenship of persons who migrated to Pakistan after March 1, 1947. It states that a person who has migrated to Pakistan after March 1, 1947, but later returns to India, shall be deemed to be a citizen of India if he/she fulfills certain conditions mentioned in the article.

4. Article 8: This article deals with the rights of citizenship of persons of Indian origin residing outside India. It states that any person of Indian origin who is residing outside India and who has not acquired the citizenship of any other country, shall be eligible to become a citizen of India if he/she fulfills certain conditions mentioned in the article.

5. Article 9: This article deals with the termination of citizenship. It states that any person who voluntarily acquires the citizenship of any foreign country shall cease to be a citizen of India.

6. Article 10: This article deals with the continuation of the rights of citizenship. It states that any person who is or is deemed to be a citizen of India under any of the provisions of Part II shall continue to be such citizen subject to the provisions of any law that may be made by the Parliament.

7. Article 11: This article empowers the Parliament to regulate the right of citizenship by law. It gives the Parliament the authority to make provisions with respect to the acquisition and termination of citizenship, and all other matters relating to citizenship.

So, Part II of the Indian Constitution contains the provisions for citizenship in India, covering aspects such as birth, domicile, migration, and acquisition of citizenship. It defines who is considered a citizen of India and the conditions under which a person can become a citizen or cease to be a citizen.

Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) no longer need a visa to enter India. They can use their OCI card to enter the country, as the categories of OCI and PIO have been merged, simplifying travel for the Indian diaspora.