Indian citizenship/nationality law: The Constitution of India provides for a single citizenship for the entire country. The provisions relating to citizenship at the commencement of the Constitution are contained in Articles 5 to 11 in Part II of the Constitution of India. Relevant Indian legislation is the Citizenship Act 1955, which has been amended by the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 1986, the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 1992 and the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2003. The Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2003 received the assent of the President of India and came into force on 7 January 2004.

Citizenship by Birth

Under the 1955 Act, and prior to the commencement of the 1986 Act on 1 July 1987, any person born in India was a citizen of India by birth. A person born in India on or after 1 July 1987 was a citizen of India if either parent was a citizen of India at the time of the birth. Those born in India on or after 7th January 2004 are considered citizens of India only if both of their parents are citizens of India or one of whose parents is a citizen of India and the other is not an illegal migrant at the time of their birth.

Citizenship by Descent

A person born outside India on or after 26th January 1950 but before 10th December 1992 is a citizen of India by descent, if his father was a citizen of India at the time of his birth.

A person born outside India on or after 10th December 1992, is considered as a citizen of India if either of his parents is a citizen of India at the time of his birth.

From 7th January 2004, a person born outside India shall not be a citizen of India unless his birth is registered at an Indian consulate within one year of the date of birth, or with the permission of the Central Government after the expiry of the one year period. An application, for registration of the birth of a minor child, must be made to an Indian consulate and must be accompanied by an undertaking in writing from the parents of such minor child that he or she does not hold the passport of another country.

Citizenship by Registration

The Central Government may, on an application, register as a citizen of India under section 5 of the Citizenship Act 1955 any person (not being an illegal migrant) if he belongs to any of the following categories:

(a) a person of Indian origin who is ordinarily resident in India for seven years before making an application for registration;

(b) a person of Indian origin who is ordinarily resident in any country or place outside undivided India;

(c) a person who is married to a citizen of India and is ordinarily resident in India for seven years before making an application for registration;

(d) minor children of persons who are citizens of India;

(e) a person of full age and capacity whose parents are registered as citizens of India by ordinary residence in India for seven years;

(f) a person of full age and capacity who, or either of his parents, was earlier citizen of independent India, and has been residing in India for one year immediately before making an application for registration;

(g) a person of full age and capacity who has been registered as an overseas citizen of India for five years, and who has been residing in India for two years before making an application for registration.

Citizenship by Naturalisation

Citizenship of India by naturalisation can be acquired by a foreigner who is ordinarily resident in India for twelve years (continuously for the twelve months preceding the date of application and for eleven years in the aggregate in the fourteen years preceding the twelve months).

Citizenship at the commencment of the Constitution of India

Persons domiciled in the territory of India as on 26th November 1949 automatically became Indian citizens by virtue of operation of the relevant provisions of the Indian Constitition coming into force (the majority of the constitutional provisions came into force on 26 January 1950). The Constitution of India also made provisions regarding citizenship for migrants from territories of Pakistan. This is because during the framing of the constitution, India was partitioned into India and Pakistan (Pakistan being the seceding state) and the constitution framers thought it was necessary to provide in some manner, for the legitimisation of refugee entrants from Pakistan who were previously Indian citizens. Therefore, migrants during the time of partition, shortly before or thereafter were also provided automatic citizenship.

Renunciation of Indian citizenship

Renunciation is covered in Section 8 of the Citizenship Act 1955. If an adult makes a declaration of renunciation of Indian citizenship, he loses Indian citizenship. In addition any minor child of that person also loses Indian citizenship from the date of renunciation. When the child reaches the age of eighteen, he has the right to resume Indian citizenship. The provisions for making a declaration of renunciation under Indian citizenship law require that the person making the declaration be “of full age and capacity.”

Automatic Termination of Indian citizenship

Termination is covered in Section 9 of the Citizenship Act, 1955. The provisions for termination are separate and distinct from the provisions for making a declaration of renunciation.

Section 9(1) of the act provides that any citizen of India who by naturalisation, or registration acquires the citizenship of another country shall cease to be a citizen of India. It also provides that any citizen of India who voluntarily acquires in any way the citizenship of another country shall cease to be a citizen of India. Notably, the termination provision differs from the renunciation provision because it applies to “any citizen of India” and there is no stipulation that a person must be “of full age and capacity” to lose Indian citizenship by termination. Indian children therefore also automatically lose their claim to Indian citizenship if at any time after birth they acquire a citizenship of another country by, for example, registration.

The acquisition of another country's passport is also deemed under the Citizenship Rules, 1956 to be voluntary acquisition of another country’s nationality. Rule 3 of Schedule III of the Citizenship Rules, 1956 states that "the fact that a citizen of India has obtained on any date a passport from the Government of any other country shall be conclusive proof of his having voluntarily acquired the citizenship of that country before that date". It does not matter that a person continues to hold an Indian passport. Persons who acquire another citizenship lose Indian citizenship with from the date on which they acquire that citizenship or another country's passport.

On 16 February 1962, a Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court of India held in the case of Izhar Ahmad Khan Vs. Union of India that “If it is shown that the person has acquired foreign citizenship either by naturalisation or registration, there can be no doubt that he ceases to be a citizen of India in consequence of such naturalisation or registration.”

Overseas citizenship of India

The Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2003 makes provision for a new form of Indian nationality, the holders of which are to be known as Overseas citizens of India. The Central Government, after an application is made by the person, may at their discretion register any person as an overseas citizen of India if: (a) that person is of Indian origin of full age and capacity who is a citizen of a specified country; (b) that person is of full age and capacity who has obtained the citizenship of a specified country on or after the commencement of Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2003 and who was a citizen of India immediately before such commencement; or (c) the person is the minor child of a person specified in (a) or (b).

The Constitution of India does not permit dual citizenship or dual nationality. There is also no provision in the Indian Passport Act for an Indian Citizen to possess a foreign passport while retaining his Indian passport. Therefore, Overseas Citizenship of India is not a full citizenship of India and therefore, does not amount to dual citizenship or dual nationality. There is as yet no plan to issue Overseas Indian passports or similar travel documents.

The introduction of Overseas Indian Citizenship does not entitle people who have acquired, or are planning to acquire, foreign nationality, to retain their Indian passports. The law continues to require that Indian citizens who take foreign nationality must immediately surrender their Indian passports. Those who are eligible can then apply for registration as Overseas Indian Citizens.

An Overseas citizen of India will enjoy all rights and privileges available to Non-Resident Indians including investment in agriculture and plantation properties. There is no visa requirement for travel to India. The person has to carry his existing foreign passport along with Registration Certificate. However, an Overseas Citizen of India will not enjoy the following rights: (i) the right to vote, (ii) the right to hold the offices of President, Vice-President, Judge of Supreme Court and High Court, Member of Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Legislative Assembly or Council, (iii) appointment to Public Services (Government Service).

Although Overseas Citizenship of India is not a full citizenship of India, it is a form of Indian nationality. Article 4 of the Hague Convention on Certain Questions relating to the Conflict of Nationality Laws, 1930 provides that "a State may not afford diplomatic protection to one of its nationals against a state whose nationality such person also possesses". Therefore, international law limits the ability of a country to provide consular protection to its citizens or nationals in their country of second nationality. A person registered as an Overseas citizen of India, who is also a citizen of another country will therefore lose their right to consular protection of their home country when in India.

Many persons of Indian origin eligible to apply for Overseas citizenship of India are considering whether they prefer to obtain Overseas citizenship of India, or a Person of Indian Origin card (PIO card) which offers virtually identical benefits while preserving their right to consular protection in India.

See article Fool's Gold published December 2004 in Little India, a widely circulated Indian publication in the USA. Or see Dual Citizenship or Dupli City? by Narayanan Komerath, published 28 January 2005.

Person of Indian Origin (PIO) Card

Any person currently holding a non-Indian passport, who can prove their Indian origin up to three generations before (or is the spouse of a citizen of India or person of Indian origin), is eligible for a PIO card. Citizens of Pakistan, Bangladesh and other countries as may be specified by the Central Government are not be eligible for grant of PIO Cards.

PIO cards give the holder the following benefits: (a) visa-free entry into India for fifteen years, (b) exemption from registration at a Foreigners' Regional Registration Office if the period of stay in India does not exceed 180 days (for stay of more than 180 days, the PIO card holder needs to register at a FRRO office), and (c) PIO card holders enjoy parity with Non-Resident Indians in economic, financial and educational fields.

PIO holders can acquire, hold, transfer or dispose of immovable properties in India (except agricultural/ plantation properties), open rupee bank accounts in India, lend in rupees to Indian residents, make investments in India etc.

PIO holders’ children can obtain admission in educational institutions in India in the general category quota for Non-Resident Indians, including Medical, Engineering colleges, IITs & IIMs.

PIO holders are eligible for various Housing schemes under Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) or Central/State Governments.

Possession of a PIO card will not entitle the holder to: (a) be eligible for the exercise of any political rights, (b) visit restricted/protected areas without permission, and (c) undertake mountaineering, research and missionary work without permission.

Citizenship clarifications issued by the Indian Government

Indian Ministry of Home Affairs

The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs has published a Summary of Indian Citizenship law on its website.

Letter from the High Commission of India, London to the British Home Office

THE HIGH COMMISSION OF INDIA
CONSULAR SECTION
INDIA HOUSE, ALDWYCH
LONDON WC2B 4NA

TELEPHONE: 020-7836 8484 Extn 282 & 162
FAX: 020 7836 4331

No.Lon/Cons/408/2/2003 October 28, 2003

Home Office,
Nationality Division,
3rd Floor, India Building,
Water Street,
Liverpool L2 0QN

Dear Sir/Madam,

A large number of British Overseas Citizens of Indian Origin living in the UK have been approaching us for issue of certificates stating that they are not Indian citizen.

We write to confirm that under the provisions of the Indian Constitution and the Citizenship Act 1955, an Indian Citizen ceases to be an Indian national if he/she acquires the Citizenship of any foreign state. Therefore any person of Indian origin holding a foreign passport including British Overseas Citizenship passport would cease to be a citizen of India and any Indian Passport held by him/her would be void. It is also confirmed that current Indian Laws do not permit dual nationality. In this context, a copy of note verbal No.T-432/3/2003 dated May 28, 2003 addressed to The British High Commission, New Delhi issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi is enclosed herewith for information.

In view of the above we would be grateful if you would not insist on individual certificates from people of Indian origin holding any foreign passport including British Overseas Citizen passport.

Note Verbale of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs to the High Commission for Britain, New Delhi

NOTE VERBALE
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
NEW DELHI

No.T-432/3/2003 New Delhi, May 28, 2003

Ministry of External Affairs presents its compliments to the High Commission for Britain and has the honour to inform that a large number of British Overseas Citizens living in India are approaching the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Government of India for issue of non-citizenship certificates stating that they have not acquired Indian citizenship.

It is understood that the esteemed High Commission is insisting on production of non-citizenship certificates from the Government of India. In this regard, the Ministry of Home Affairs has requested this Ministry to convey to the esteemed High Commission that a foreigner, who is staying in India on a valid foreign passport and visa can not be a citizen of India at the same time, as dual citizenship is not permitted by the Government of India so far. Likewise, a citizen of India who acquires foreign citizenship automatically ceases to be a citizen of India under Section 9(1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955 of the Government of India.

Accordingly, the esteemed High Commission is, therefore, requested not to insist on non-citizenship certificates issued by the Government of India, from each and every individual. Instead, a certificate issued by the Foreigners’ Regional Registration Office of the Government of India to the effect that the person is registered with them as a foreigner should suffice for the purpose.

The Ministry of External Affairs avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the High Commission for Britain the assurance of its highest consideration.