Citizenship by naturalisation
Topic: Citizenship: Idea and Indian Law · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 6 "Citizenship"
Meaning
Citizenship by naturalisation is how a foreigner with no Indian roots can become a citizen. It is covered by Section 6 and the Third Schedule of the Citizenship Act 1955. An illegal migrant cannot apply. The applicant must have lived in India for the 12 months just before applying, and for 11 of the 14 years before that, so 12 years in all. They must also be of good character, know a language in the Eighth Schedule, and give up any other citizenship. The government can waive these conditions for people who have given distinguished service to science, art, literature, world peace or human progress.
Example
The Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019 cut the 11-year part of the requirement to 5 years for Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Don't confuse with
- Citizenship by registration: registration is for people with a link to India, such as persons of Indian origin, spouses of citizens or OCI cardholders, and it needs shorter residence. Naturalisation is for any foreigner and needs 12 years.
Related concepts
- Citizenship Act 1955
- Citizenship by birth
- Citizenship by descent
- Citizenship by registration
- Citizenship by incorporation of territory