Indian nationality law facts for kids

Being a citizen of a country means you are officially a member of that country. It gives you special rights and responsibilities. In India, the rules for who is a citizen are found in the country's most important rulebook, the Constitution. This big book of rules was created when India became a republic in 1950.

What is Citizenship?

Citizenship is like being part of a special club. When you are a citizen, you get certain rights. These include the right to vote and the right to live and work freely in your country. You also have duties, like following the laws and paying taxes.

Being a citizen connects you to your country. It means you belong there.

India's Constitution and Citizenship

When India's Constitution was first made, it needed to decide who would be an Indian citizen right away. It also set up rules for people who moved to India or were living outside India. These rules are found in Articles 5 to 11 of the Constitution.

Starting Point: Article 5

Article 5 explains who became a citizen of India when the Constitution started on January 26, 1950. It said that anyone living in India at that time was a citizen if:

• They were born in India.
• Their parents were born in India.
• They had lived in India for at least five years before the Constitution began.

This article helped make sure that people who had strong ties to India became citizens immediately.

Moving Between Countries: Articles 6 & 7

After India became independent, there was a big movement of people between India and Pakistan. Articles 6 and 7 dealt with the citizenship of these people.

• Article 6 was for people who moved to India from Pakistan. It set rules for them to become Indian citizens. This depended on when they moved and if they registered with the government.
• Article 7 was for people who had moved from India to Pakistan. It explained that if they had moved away, they might not be Indian citizens anymore. However, there were exceptions for those who returned to India with special permits.

These articles were important for managing the citizenship of many people during a difficult time.

Indians Living Abroad: Article 8

Article 8 talks about people of Indian origin who were living outside India. Even if they were not living in India when the Constitution started, they could still become Indian citizens. This was possible if they or their parents or grandparents were born in India. They just needed to register as citizens with an Indian diplomatic or consular officer in their country.

This article helped keep a connection with Indians living all over the world.

Choosing Another Country: Article 9

Article 9 is very clear. If an Indian citizen willingly chooses to become a citizen of another country, they will lose their Indian citizenship. India generally does not allow people to be citizens of two countries at the same time. This is called "dual citizenship."

So, if you decide to become a citizen of another nation, you give up your Indian citizenship.

Keeping Your Citizenship: Article 10

Article 10 is a simple but important rule. It says that once you are an Indian citizen under these rules, your citizenship rights will continue. This means your citizenship is generally safe. However, it also says that Parliament (India's law-making body) can make new laws about citizenship.

This article ensures that citizenship is not easily taken away.

Parliament's Role: Article 11

Article 11 gives the power to Parliament to make laws about citizenship. This means Parliament can:

• Decide how people can get Indian citizenship in the future.
• Decide how people can lose Indian citizenship.
• Make any other rules about citizenship.

This article shows that the rules for citizenship can change over time. Parliament can update them as needed.

Why is Citizenship Important?

Citizenship is important because it defines your relationship with your country. It gives you a sense of belonging and provides you with legal protection. It also gives you the chance to participate in your country's future, like by voting in elections. Understanding these articles helps us see how India decided who its first citizens would be and how it continues to manage citizenship today.