Total number of amendments in Citizenship Act, 1955

The Citizenship Act, 1955 is an important legislation that governs the acquisition and determination of Indian citizenship. Over the years, there have been several amendments made to this act to address various issues and concerns. As of now, there have been six major amendments to the Citizenship Act, 1955.

Amendments to the Citizenship Act, 1955

1. The Constitution (First Amendment) Act, 1951: This amendment was made to define the concept of domicile and to include provisions for acquiring citizenship after the commencement of the Constitution.

2. The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 1986: This amendment introduced provisions for acquiring citizenship by birth, descent, registration, and naturalization. It also addressed the issue of dual citizenship.

3. The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 1992: This amendment focused on the acquisition of citizenship by birth on or after the 1st day of July 1987.

4. The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2003: This amendment provided for the acquisition of citizenship by descent and registration for persons of Indian origin residing outside India.

5. The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2005: This amendment introduced provisions for the registration of Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO).

6. The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2015: This amendment allowed the Indian government to cancel the registration of OCI cardholders in certain cases.

Amendment in 2019

Yes, the Citizenship Act, 1955 was also amended in 2019 by the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019. This amendment introduced significant changes to the act, specifically with regard to the eligibility for citizenship based on religion.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 amended the definition of illegal immigrants by providing certain exemptions for Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christian communities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. It allows these communities to be eligible for citizenship if they entered India before December 31, 2014.

This amendment has sparked widespread debates and protests across the country, with critics arguing that it is discriminatory and violates the secular principles of the Indian Constitution. Proponents, on the other hand, argue that it provides relief to persecuted religious minorities in neighboring countries.

However, it is important to note that the 2019 amendment has faced legal challenges and its implementation is subject to the decisions of the judiciary.

Conclusion

The Citizenship Act, 1955 has undergone several amendments over the years to address various aspects of citizenship. The 2019 amendment, in particular, has been a subject of intense debate and controversy. It is essential to stay informed about the latest developments in the field of citizenship to understand the rights and obligations associated with Indian citizenship.