The Citizenship (Indian Polity and Governance)

Total Questions: 17

11. Which country accepted the policy of Dual Citizenship? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2006]

Correct Answer: (d) U.S.A.
Solution:The United States has accepted the principle of dual citizenship. Every citizen enjoys dual citizenship in the U.S.- firstly, as a citizen of the U.S.A. and secondly, as a citizen of the state where he resides.

The Citizenship Act (1955) stipulates three means of losing citizenship, whether gained under the Act or before it under the Constitution, that are: renunciation, termination, and deprivation. Renunciation: Any Indian citizen can renounce his/her citizenship by making a declaration as per Citizenship Rules, 2009.

However, a child may, within one year after attaining full age resume Indian Citizenship.According to government data, over 16 lakh Indians have renounced their Indian citizenship since 2011 including 2,25,620 people in 2023. Termination: If an Indian citizen willingly acquires citizenship in another nation, his or her Indian citizenship is terminated. This provision is not applicable during times of war.

Deprivation: It is a compulsory termination of citizenship in India by the central government. A citizen of India by naturalization, registration, domicile, and residence may be deprived of his citizenship under certain conditions such as obtaining the citizenship by fraud, showing disloyalty to the Constitution of India, unlawfully communicating with the enemy during a war, etc.

12. Who/which of the following is competent to prescribe conditions for acquisition of citizenship? [UP.P.C.S. (Mains) 2013]

Correct Answer: (d) Parliament
Solution:Article 11 of the Constitution of India declares that the Parliament shall have the power to regulate the right of citizenship by making law. By exercising this power, Parliament enacted the Citizenship Act, 1955 which gives provisions for acquisition and termination of citizenship.

The Central Government, by exercising its power under Section 18 of the Citizenship Act, 1955, made Citizenship Amendment Rules, 2009.

13. How many years does a person of Indian origin need to reside in India to become a citizen of India under the Citizenship Act, 1955? [Chhattisgarh P.C.S (Pre) 2013]

Correct Answer: (c) 7 years
Solution:To acquire citizenship by registration under Section 5(1)(a) of the Citizenship Act, 1955, the person of Indian origin must be ordinarily residing in India for 7 years.

Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) is a form of permanent residency available to people of Indian origin and their spouses. It grants them the ability to live and work in India indefinitely. However, OCI is not to be misconstrued as 'dual citizenship'.

  • Benefits: OCI status allows individuals certain privileges such as multiple entries into India without requiring a visa, the ability to own property in India, and the right to work in certain fields.
  • However, OCI holders are not eligible to vote, hold public office, or acquire agricultural or plantation properties in India. It is designed to facilitate closer ties between the Indian diaspora and India.
  • Renunciation of overseas citizenship: Any OCI of full age and capacity makes a declaration renouncing his overseas
    citizenship of India. However, every minor child of that person registered as an OCI, shall thereupon cease to be an overseas citizen of India.
  • Cancellation of registration as OCI: The Central Government may, by order, cancel the registration granted if the
    registration was obtained through fraud, a person showed disaffection towards the Constitution of India, engaged with the enemy during any war in which India may be engaged, etc.

14. Who among the following has the exclusive power of determining the issue of citizenship in India? [Chhattisgarh P.C.S (Pre) 2013]

Correct Answer: (d) Central Government
Solution:According to Article 11, Parliament can make provisions with respect to the acquisition and termination of citizenship. The Central government can also make Rules by exercising its power under section 18 of the Citizenship Act, 1955, but only Parliament has the exclusive power of determining the issue of citizenship in India.

15. When was the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019 Passed by Parliament? [U.P. R.O/A.R.O. (Mains) 2016]

Correct Answer: (b) 11 December, 2019
Solution:The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on 9 December 2014. The 11 December 2019. Rajya Sabha passed the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019. The bill got President's assent on 12 December, 2019.

The Bill amends the Citizenship Act, 1955, and for the first time, will grant citizenship based on religion to non-muslim communities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan, who entered India on or before December 31, 2014.

16. When was the Citizenship (Amendment) Act passed? [66th B.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2020]

Correct Answer: (b) 11 December, 2019
Solution:The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on 9 December 2014. The 11 December 2019. Rajya Sabha passed the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019. The bill got President's assent on 12 December, 2019.

The Bill amends the Citizenship Act, 1955, and for the first time, will grant citizenship based on religion to non-muslim communities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan, who entered India on or before December 31, 2014.

17. What is the purpose of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 20192? [67th B.P.S.C. (Pre), 2022]

Correct Answer: (d) To grant citizenship to presecuted minority groups of Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Solution:Features of CAA 2019
  • The Act seeks to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955 to make Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christian undocumented immigrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, eligible for citizenship of India. In other words, the Act intends to make it easier for persecuted people from India's neighbouring countries to become citizens of India.
  • The legislation applies to those who were "forced or compelled to seek shelter in India due to persecution on the ground of religion". It aims to protect such people from proceedings of illegal migration.
  • The amendment relaxes the requirement of naturalization from 11 years to 5 years as a specific condition for applicants belonging to these six religions.
  • The cut-off date for citizenship is December 31, 2014, which means the applicant should have entered India on or before that date.
    The Act says that on acquiring citizenship:
  • Such persons shall be deemed to be citizens of India from the date of their entry into India, and
  • All legal proceedings against them in respect of their illegal migration or citizenship will be closed.
  • It also says people holding Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards - an immigration status permitting a foreign citizen of Indian origin to live and work in India indefinitely - can lose their status if they violate local laws for major and minor offences and violations.