Anand Classes provides comprehensive study material on the amendments of the Citizenship Act, explaining how the 1986 and 2003 amendments changed the rules for acquiring Indian citizenship by birth, registration, and naturalisation. These amendments made citizenship laws stricter, including provisions under Section 6 for distinguished contributors in fields like science, art, literature, and world peace. Understanding these changes is crucial for NDA aspirants preparing for the Polity section of the exam. Click the print button to download NDA study material and notes.
Amendment of the Citizenship Act
The Citizenship Act of 1955 has undergone significant amendments to regulate the acquisition and re-acquisition of Indian citizenship. In 1986, the Act was amended to make it more stringent for persons arriving in India as refugees from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and other countries to obtain citizenship. According to this amendment, persons born in India:
- (a) on or after January 26, 1950, but before November 26, 1986, and
- (b) on or after the commencement of the 1986 Amending Act
would be recognized as citizens of India by birth only if at least one of their parents was a citizen of India at the time of their birth. Furthermore, the amendment extended the period required for acquiring citizenship through registration from six months to five years.
In December 2003, the Act was further revised to allow the re-acquisition of Indian citizenship by persons of full age who are children of Indian citizens or former Indian citizens. At the same time, the law imposed stricter conditions for naturalisation, ensuring that illegal migrants could not easily obtain Indian citizenship.
A recent example of this provision in action is Adnan Sami, a Pakistani singer who has resided in India since 2001. He was granted Indian citizenship under Section 6 of the Citizenship Act, 1955, which allows naturalisation for individuals who have made outstanding contributions in fields such as science, philosophy, art, literature, world peace, or human progress.
FAQs – Amendment of the Citizenship Act For GAT NDA Exam of General Studies Section
1. What was the purpose of the 1986 amendment to the Citizenship Act?
The 1986 amendment aimed to make it more difficult for refugees from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and other countries to acquire Indian citizenship. It stated that a person born in India would be a citizen only if at least one parent was an Indian citizen at the time of birth. Additionally, the amendment increased the period for acquiring citizenship through registration from six months to five years. Understanding this amendment is important for NDA aspirants preparing polity notes and study material for the exam.
2. Who could acquire Indian citizenship by birth after the 1986 amendment?
After this amendment, persons born in India between January 26, 1950, and November 26, 1986, and those born on or after November 26, 1986, could acquire citizenship only if one parent was an Indian citizen. NDA candidates should include such key provisions in their NDA study material PDF and polity notes to cover citizenship rules comprehensively.
3. What changes were introduced in the 2003 amendment of the Citizenship Act?
The 2003 amendment allowed re-acquisition of Indian citizenship for adult children of Indian citizens or former citizens. It also made naturalisation stricter to prevent illegal migrants from obtaining citizenship. NDA aspirants can benefit by adding these details to downloadable NDA notes or NDA polity study material for exam preparation.
4. Who can obtain Indian citizenship under Section 6 of the Citizenship Act?
Section 6 allows citizenship through naturalisation for individuals who have made significant contributions to science, philosophy, art, literature, world peace, or human progress. A notable example is Adnan Sami, a Pakistani singer granted Indian citizenship for his contributions. NDA aspirants should remember Section 6 provisions when preparing NDA polity notes and downloadable study material PDFs.
5. Why is knowledge of these amendments important for NDA exam preparation?
Understanding the 1986 and 2003 amendments, and provisions under Section 6, is crucial for the Polity section of the NDA exam. Questions may focus on citizenship by birth, registration, or naturalisation. Including these amendments in NDA notes, polity study material, and downloadable PDFs ensures aspirants are well-prepared for relevant questions.
MCQs – Amendment of the Citizenship Act (NDA Polity)
1. The 1986 amendment to the Citizenship Act made a person born in India a citizen by birth only if:
A) Both parents are Indian citizens
B) At least one parent is an Indian citizen
C) The person is born in a metropolitan city
D) The person has lived in India for 6 months
Answer: B) At least one parent is an Indian citizen
Explanation: The 1986 amendment restricted citizenship by birth to children whose at least one parent was an Indian citizen, making it more stringent. NDA aspirants can include this in their NDA polity notes and downloadable study material PDF.
2. Before the 1986 amendment, the period for acquiring citizenship through registration was:
A) 1 year
B) 6 months
C) 5 years
D) 2 years
Answer: B) 6 months
Explanation: The amendment increased the period to five years, making it stricter. This change is important for NDA exam questions and should be noted in downloadable NDA study material and polity notes.
3. The 2003 amendment of the Citizenship Act primarily allowed:
A) Citizenship for all refugees
B) Re-acquisition of citizenship for adult children of Indian citizens
C) Citizenship for foreign investors
D) Citizenship for people living in metropolitan cities
Answer: B) Re-acquisition of citizenship for adult children of Indian citizens
Explanation: This amendment allowed former citizens or their children to re-acquire Indian citizenship, a key point for NDA aspirants preparing polity notes and downloadable NDA notes.
4. Section 6 of the Citizenship Act allows naturalisation for persons who:
A) Are born in India
B) Have contributed to science, art, literature, or human progress
C) Have lived in India for 2 years
D) Are government employees
Answer: B) Have contributed to science, art, literature, or human progress
Explanation: Section 6 grants citizenship to distinguished contributors like Adnan Sami. NDA aspirants should include this in NDA polity study material PDF for better exam preparation.
5. Which of the following is a key purpose of the amendments to the Citizenship Act?
A) To allow unrestricted naturalisation
B) To prevent illegal migrants from acquiring citizenship
C) To grant citizenship to all refugees
D) To give citizenship only to residents of Delhi
Answer: B) To prevent illegal migrants from acquiring citizenship
Explanation: Both the 1986 and 2003 amendments made citizenship laws stricter to prevent illegal migrants from gaining citizenship. NDA aspirants must cover these points in their download NDA notes and polity preparation materials.
6. Adnan Sami was granted Indian citizenship under which provision?
A) Citizenship by birth
B) Citizenship by registration
C) Section 6 – naturalisation for distinguished contribution
D) Citizenship for refugees
Answer: C) Section 6 – naturalisation for distinguished contribution
Explanation: Section 6 allows naturalisation for those contributing to art, science, literature, or world peace, a notable example being Adnan Sami. This is relevant for NDA polity notes and downloadable study material PDFs.
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