Question map
The Citizenship (Amendment) Act falls under which one of the following Parts of the Constitution of India?
Explanation
The Constitution of India deals with citizenship under Part II, covering Articles 5 to 11 [2]. While these articles primarily identify persons who became citizens at the commencement of the Constitution on January 26, 1950, Article 11 specifically empowers the Parliament to regulate the right of citizenship by law [1]. Exercising this power, the Parliament enacted the Citizenship Act, 1955, which provides for the acquisition and termination of citizenship after the Constitution's commencement [4]. The Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) of 2019 is a legislative amendment to the 1955 Act. Since the parent Act and the underlying constitutional authority for such legislation are rooted in the provisions of Part II, the Citizenship (Amendment) Act falls under the domain of Part II of the Constitution [4]. Other parts mentioned, such as Part I (Union and Territory), Part IV (DPSP), and Part VI (The States), do not govern citizenship [4].
Sources
- [1] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 7: Citizenship > CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS > p. 63
- [2] https://mlsu.ac.in/econtents/2248_PART%20II.pdf
- [4] https://indiancitizenshiponline.nic.in/Documents/UserGuide/E-gazette_2019_20122019.pdf