The Citizenship Act in India - Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) of 2019

The Citizenship Act in India refers to the Citizenship Act of 1955, which has been amended several times over the years. The Act governs the acquisition, determination, and termination of Indian citizenship. Here's an overview:

Key Points:

1. Modes of Acquiring Citizenship in India:

   • 
     
   • Birth: If a person is born in India on or after January 26, 1950, but before July 1, 1987, they are considered citizens by birth, regardless of the nationality of their parents.
   • 
     
   • Descent: A person born outside India on or after January 26, 1950, but before December 10, 1992, is a citizen by descent if either of their parents is a citizen of India at the time of their birth.
   • 
     
   • Registration: Certain categories of persons, such as those of Indian origin, can apply for citizenship by registering themselves with the appropriate authorities.
   • 
     
   • Naturalization: Foreigners can acquire Indian citizenship through naturalization by fulfilling certain residency and other criteria.

2. 
   

3. Citizenship by Naturalization:

   • The applicant should have resided in India for 12 years immediately preceding the date of application and for 11 of the 14 years preceding the twelve months before the application.
   • They should be of good character and have sufficient knowledge of a language specified in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.

4. 
   

5. Citizenship by Registration:

   • Certain categories of persons, such as those of Indian origin residing outside India, can apply for citizenship by registration under specific conditions.

6. 
   

7. Citizenship by Descent:

   • Persons born outside India on or after December 10, 1992, are considered citizens by descent if either of their parents is a citizen of India at the time of their birth.

8. 
   

9. Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) of 2019:

   • This controversial amendment to the Citizenship Act aimed to provide citizenship to certain religious minorities from neighboring countries, specifically Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians, who had fled persecution from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan before December 31, 2014.
   • Critics argued that the Act discriminates against Muslims and violates the secular principles of the Indian Constitution. Protests erupted across the country in response to the CAA.

10. 
    

11. National Register of Citizens (NRC):

    • The NRC is a register of all legal citizens of India. It has been implemented in some states to identify undocumented immigrants, primarily in Assam. The process has been contentious and faced criticism for potential exclusion of genuine citizens.