Question map
The Citizenship Act, 1955 deals with the determination of citizenship on or after (a) 26th January, 1950 (b) 26th November, 1949 (c) 15th August, 1947 (d) 14th August, 1947
Explanation
The Constitution of India, under Articles 5 to 11, only identifies persons who became citizens at its commencement on January 26, 1950 [1]. It does not provide permanent rules for the acquisition or loss of citizenship after that date, instead empowering Parliament to enact necessary legislation [1]. Consequently, the Parliament enacted the Citizenship Act, 1955, which provides for the acquisition, determination, and termination of Indian citizenship on or after the commencement of the Constitution [2]. Specifically, the Act defines citizenship by birth and descent for individuals born on or after January 26, 1950 [6]. While certain constitutional provisions regarding citizenship were given immediate effect on November 26, 1949, the legal framework for determining citizenship post-commencement is governed by the 1955 Act starting from the official commencement date of the Republic, January 26, 1950 [3].
Sources
- [1] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 7: Citizenship > CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS > p. 63
- [2] https://hcikl.gov.in/pdf/PDF_C_7.pdf
- [4] https://thc.nic.in/Central%20Governmental%20Acts/Citizenship%20Act,%201955..pdf
- [6] https://www.mha.gov.in/PDF_Other/ic_act55.pdf
- [3] Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 2: THE MAKING OF THE CONSTITUTION > p. 20