The Constitution of India includes provisions related to citizenship in Articles 5 to 11. These articles define who is considered a citizen of India and the ways in which citizenship can be acquired, terminated, and lost.
Article 5 of the Constitution states that any person who was born in India or who had either of his or her parents born in India before the commencement of the Constitution on January 26, 1950, is a citizen of India by birth. This provision also applies to persons who were domiciled in India at the time of the commencement of the Constitution.
Article 6 of the Constitution deals with the citizenship of migrants to Pakistan. It states that any person who migrated to Pakistan after March 1, 1947, but returned to India before July 19, 1948, is deemed to be a citizen of India. However, this provision does not apply to persons who are deemed to be citizens of Pakistan.
Article 7 of the Constitution deals with the citizenship of persons who migrated to Pakistan after March 1, 1947, and who have not returned to India. It states that such persons shall not be considered citizens of India unless they return to India and reside in the country for at least six months.
Article 8 of the Constitution deals with the citizenship of persons of Indian origin residing outside India. It states that any person of Indian origin who is not a citizen of any other country shall be deemed to be a citizen of India if he or she has resided in India for at least five years.
Article 9 of the Constitution provides for the termination of citizenship. It states that any person who voluntarily acquires the citizenship of another country shall cease to be a citizen of India.
Article 10 of the Constitution deals with the continuance of citizenship. It states that any person who is a citizen of India at the time of the commencement of the Constitution shall continue to be a citizen of India.
Article 11 of the Constitution gives the power to the Parliament to regulate the acquisition and termination of citizenship. It states that Parliament may enact laws related to citizenship and may prescribe the manner in which citizenship may be acquired, terminated, or lost.
Overall, the citizenship provisions in the Indian Constitution aim to define who is considered a citizen of India and the ways in which citizenship can be acquired, terminated, and lost. These provisions have been the subject of political and social debate in India, particularly in recent years with the passage of the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act of 2019.
