Question

When was the Citizenship Act passed in India?
1. 1955
2. 1962
3. 1967
4. 1958

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : 1955

The correct answer is 1955.

• In 1955 the Citizenship Act was passed in India.
• The conferment of a person, as a citizen of India, is governed by Articles 5 to 11 (Part II) of the Indian Constitution.
• Article 11 of the Constitution confers power on the parliament to make laws regarding citizenship.
• Citizen means a person who under the citizenship or nationality law for the time being in force in that country, is a citizen or national of that country.
• Indian citizenship can be acquired: birth, descent, registration, and naturalization. The provisions are listed under the Citizenship Act, 1955.

• Granting of Citizenship:
  • Citizen by Birth.
  • Citizenship by Descent.
  • Citizenship at the commencement of the Constitution of India.
  • Citizenship by registration.
  • Citizenship by naturalization.

•  The Citizenship act has been amended four times in 1986,1992, 2003, 2005, 2015, and 2019.
  • 1986 amendment: The constitutional provision and the original Citizenship Act that gave citizenship on the principle of jus soli to everyone born in India.
  • 2003 amendment: The amendment made the above condition more stringent, keeping in view infiltration from Bangladesh.
  • 2005 amendment:  Only citizens can apply for the information under this Act. Right to Information Act confers the right not to all persons, but only on Citizens.
  • 2015 amendment: It provides for citizenship by birth, descent, registration, naturalization, and by incorporation of territory. In addition, it provides for renunciation and termination of citizenship under certain circumstances.