Part II: Citizenship
Defines who is a citizen of India at the commencement of the Constitution and provides the framework for citizenship laws. It answers: "Who belongs to India?"
Citizenship at commencement
Defines citizenship for people domiciled in India at the commencement of the Constitution (January 26, 1950). Covers those born in India, with parents born in India, or ordinarily resident for 5+ years.
Rights of migrants from Pakistan
Provided special provisions for people who migrated from Pakistan during partition. Different rules for those who came before and after July 19, 1948.
Rights of migrants to Pakistan
Deals with people who migrated to Pakistan but later returned to India. Provided specific conditions for their citizenship claims.
Rights of citizenship of certain persons of Indian origin residing outside India
Provides a path to citizenship for persons of Indian origin residing abroad, if registered by an Indian diplomatic or consular representative. This allowed Indians living outside India at the time of Independence to claim citizenship.
Persons voluntarily acquiring citizenship of a foreign State not to be citizens
Establishes that no person can be a citizen of India if they have voluntarily acquired the citizenship of a foreign state. This article prohibits dual citizenship under the Constitution.
Continuance of the rights of citizenship
States that every person deemed a citizen under the preceding articles shall continue to be a citizen, subject to any law made by Parliament. This affirms the permanence of citizenship while recognizing Parliament's power to regulate it
Parliament to regulate citizenship
Empowers Parliament to make laws regulating acquisition and termination of citizenship. This led to the Citizenship Act, 1955, which is the primary citizenship law today.
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