Renunciation of citizenship
Topic: Citizenship: Idea and Indian Law · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
Renunciation of citizenship means a person chooses to give up Indian citizenship. It is covered by Section 8 of the Citizenship Act 1955. An adult citizen makes a formal declaration, and once it is registered, they stop being a citizen. Their minor children also lose citizenship, but each child can take it back within one year of turning 18. If the declaration is made while India is at war, the government can hold back registering it.
Example
An Indian citizen who plans to settle abroad may formally declare that they give up Indian citizenship. Their minor child loses citizenship too, but can resume it at 18.
Don't confuse with
- Termination of citizenship: termination happens automatically when a citizen takes another country's citizenship, without any declaration. Renunciation needs the person's own declaration.
- Deprivation of citizenship: here the government takes citizenship away against the person's will.
Related concepts
- Termination of citizenship
- Deprivation of citizenship
- Non-resident Indian
- Person of Indian Origin card
- Overseas Citizenship of India