C   CITIZENSHIP

The constitution provides for single and uniform citizenship for the whole of India. In federal states like USA and Switzerland, there is dual citizenship viz., the federal or national citizenship and the citizenship of the state where a person is born or permanently resides. It may be noted that the constitution of J&K provides for citizenship of the state of J&K.

The population is divided into two classes – citizens and non-citizens. Non citizens do not enjoy all rights granted by the constitution.

Indian citizens have following rights:-

1. Some of the Fundamental rights i.e. Article 15, 16, 19, 29 and 30.

2. Only citizens are eligible for offices such as those of President, Vice- President, Judge of the Supreme Court or High Court, Attorney General, Governor.

3. The right to vote, to become a Member of Parliament and state legislature

The citizenship Act, 1955 also lays down the following ways in which citizenship of India may be lost.

1. If a citizen renounces citizenship.

2. If a citizen of India Voluntarily acquires citizenship of another country, his Indian Citizenship stands terminated.

3. Deprivation of Citizenship can take place if the Indian Citizenship had been acquired by  fraud or if an Indian Citizen has shown by himself to be disloyal and disaffected towards the constitution of India.

The citizenship Amendment Act of 2003 provides for the dual citizenship for the people of Indian origin in 16 specified countries. The Citizenship Amendment Act of 2005 makes the provision of overseas citizenship of India along with their registration procedure.