This article covers SSC Polity Citizenship PPT Slides (LEC #7) (नागरिकता), part of the Complete Foundation Batch PPT Series at slideshareppt.net. This lecture covers Part II of the Indian Constitution (Articles 5–11), the Citizenship Act 1955, modes of acquiring and losing citizenship, the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 (CAA), and NRI/OCI/PIO categories. Citizenship is a regularly tested topic in SSC CGL, CHSL, CPO, and MTS exams – questions on CAA, Article 11, modes of acquisition, and single citizenship appear frequently.
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1. What is Citizenship?
Citizenship is the legal status of a person as a full member of a state, entitling them to all civil and political rights. In India, citizenship is governed by Part II of the Constitution (Articles 5–11) and detailed provisions are laid down in the Citizenship Act 1955, passed by Parliament under the power granted by Article 11.
Key Features of Indian Citizenship
India has single citizenship – there is no separate state citizenship
A person can be a citizen of India only; not of any state separately
Single citizenship was borrowed from the United Kingdom
Parliament has exclusive power to make laws on citizenship (Article 11)
Citizenship gives access to Fundamental Rights under Part III of the Constitution
Certain rights are available only to citizens: Article 15 (no discrimination), Article 16 (equal opportunity in public employment), Article 19 (six freedoms), Articles 29–30 (cultural & educational rights)
Non-citizens (aliens) also get some rights – Articles 14, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28
2. Constitutional Articles on Citizenship – Part II (Articles 5–11)
Article
Subject
Article 5
Citizenship at commencement of the Constitution (26 Jan 1950)
Article 6
Rights of citizenship of certain persons who migrated from Pakistan to India
Article 7
Rights of citizenship of certain migrants to Pakistan (who returned)
Article 8
Rights of citizenship of certain persons of Indian origin residing outside India
Article 9
Persons voluntarily acquiring citizenship of a foreign state not to be citizens of India
Article 10
Continuance of the rights of citizenship
Article 11
Parliament’s power to regulate the right of citizenship by law
Article 5 – Citizenship at Commencement
A person was a citizen of India at commencement (26 Jan 1950) if:
(a) they had their domicile in India AND were born in India, OR
(b) either of their parents was born in India, OR
(c) they had been ordinarily resident in India for at least 5 years immediately before commencement
Article 6 – Migration from Pakistan
Persons who migrated from Pakistan to India before 19 July 1948 – automatic citizen if domiciled in India
Persons who migrated after 19 July 1948 – had to register as Indian citizen; resident for at least 6 months before applying
Article 7 – Migrants to Pakistan Who Returned
Persons who migrated to Pakistan after 1 March 1947 but later returned on resettlement permit are eligible for citizenship
Must be resident in India for at least 6 months and register
Article 8 – Indians Abroad
Person of Indian origin residing outside India can register as Indian citizen with diplomatic/consular representative
Applies to person or either parent/grandparent born in India as defined in GoI Act 1935
Article 11 – Parliament’s Power
Parliament has the power to make laws regulating the right of citizenship
Under this power, Parliament passed the Citizenship Act 1955
Parliament can also make laws on acquisition, termination, and other matters of citizenship
3. Citizenship Act 1955 – Key Provisions
The Citizenship Act 1955 is the primary law governing Indian citizenship. It was enacted under Article 11 and has been amended multiple times – notably in 1986, 1992, 2003, 2005, and 2019 (CAA).
4. Modes of Acquiring Indian Citizenship
Mode
How Citizenship is Acquired
Key Condition
By Birth
Person born in India on or after 26 Jan 1950
Rules changed multiple times; currently both parents must be Indian citizens OR one parent citizen and other not illegal migrant
By Descent
Person born outside India on or after 26 Jan 1950
Father (originally); now either parent must be Indian citizen; must be registered at Indian consulate
By Registration
Foreign nationals of Indian origin, persons married to Indian citizens, minor children of Indian citizens, persons of Indian origin resident for 7 years
Application to prescribed authority; renounce existing citizenship
By Naturalisation
Foreigner who has resided in India for 11 years (including 12 months immediately before application)
Must renounce previous citizenship; good character; knowledge of Indian language
By Incorporation of Territory
When a new territory becomes part of India, its residents become Indian citizens
Only for citizens by registration or naturalisation (not by birth); grounds: fraud, disloyalty, trading with enemy, imprisonment within 5 years of registration, etc.
Key Points on Loss of Citizenship
A citizen by birth CANNOT be deprived of citizenship by the government
Deprivation is only possible for citizens by registration or naturalisation
Voluntary acquisition of another country’s citizenship automatically terminates Indian citizenship (Article 9)
During war, renunciation of citizenship can be withheld by the government
6. Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 (CAA) – Most Important for SSC Exams
Feature
Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 (CAA)
What it does
Provides expedited citizenship to persecuted religious minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan
Eligible religions
Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians (NOT Muslims)
Must have entered India on or before 31 December 2014
Residency requirement reduced
From 11 years to 5 years for these specific groups
Applies to
Illegal migrants of the specified religions from the three countries
Does NOT apply to
Muslims from these countries; people from other countries; tribals of NE states (6th Schedule areas)
When passed
11 December 2019 (Lok Sabha) | 12 December 2019 (Rajya Sabha) | President’s assent 12 Dec 2019
Rules notified
11 March 2024 – CAA Rules 2024 notified; Act became operational
Controversy
Critics argue it discriminates on religious grounds; violates Article 14 (equality)
States Exempted from CAA
States under the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system are exempt: Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur
Areas covered by the Sixth Schedule (tribal areas): Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram
These areas are protected to preserve tribal identity and culture
7. NRI, PIO, and OCI – Categories of Overseas Indians
Category
Full Form
Key Features
NRI
Non-Resident Indian
Indian citizen living outside India; holds Indian passport; retains Indian citizenship
PIO
Person of Indian Origin
Foreign national of Indian origin up to 4 generations; PIO card scheme (now merged with OCI)
OCI
Overseas Citizen of India
Introduced by Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2005; not full citizenship; lifelong visa; no political rights; cannot buy agricultural land
OCI Card
Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder
PIO and OCI merged in 2015; OCI is NOT a dual citizenship in the constitutional sense
OCI – Key Points for SSC Exams
OCI was introduced by Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2005
OCI cardholder gets: multiple-entry lifelong visa to India, exemption from reporting to police, parity with NRIs in most economic activities
OCI does NOT get: right to vote, right to contest elections, right to hold constitutional posts (President, VP, Governor, etc.), right to buy agricultural land or plantation property
OCI is NOT dual citizenship in the strict constitutional sense
In 2015, PIO cards were merged into OCI – all PIO cardholders became OCI cardholders
SSC Polity Citizenship PPT Slides (LEC #7)
8. Indian Citizenship vs Other Countries – Comparison
Feature
India
USA
UK
Type of Citizenship
Single citizenship
Dual citizenship (federal + state)
Single citizenship
Citizenship by Birth
Conditional (both parents must be citizens if born after 2004)
Jus soli – anyone born on US soil is citizen
Conditional – at least one parent must be settled
Dual Citizenship allowed?
No – acquiring another citizenship terminates Indian citizenship
Yes
Yes (in most cases)
OCI status
Not full citizenship; no voting rights
Not applicable
Not applicable
Constitutional Articles
Articles 5–11
14th Amendment
British Nationality Act 1981
9. Rights Available Only to Citizens vs All Persons
Rights Available ONLY to Citizens
Rights Available to ALL Persons (Citizens + Non-Citizens)
Article 15 – No discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth
Article 14 – Equality before law and equal protection of laws
Article 16 – Equal opportunity in public employment
Article 20 – Protection in respect of conviction for offences