Anand Classes provides comprehensive study material and detailed notes on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2015, designed specifically for NDA exam preparation. Our content simplifies complex topics such as citizenship by naturalisation, Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) registration, and the merger of PIO and OCI schemes, making it easier for students to understand and remember. With clear explanations, FAQs, MCQs, and key points aligned with the NDA syllabus, this material ensures effective revision and boosts exam readiness. Click the print button to download NDA study material and notes.
The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2015
The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2015 seeks to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955. Its major provisions are as follows:
- Relaxation in Citizenship by Naturalisation:
The Act allows the Central Government to relax the requirement of 12 months’ stay or service in the government if special circumstances exist. A relaxation of up to 30 days may be permitted. - Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Registration:
- The Act provides additional grounds for registering a person as an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI).
- It introduces a provision allowing the Central Government to register a person as an OCI cardholder even if they do not satisfy the listed qualifications, provided a special case exists.
- The Act allows for the merger of the Person of Indian Origin (PIO) scheme with the OCI scheme. The government may notify that PIO cardholders shall be considered OCI cardholders from a specified date.
- The Central Government may cancel OCI status if it was obtained by the spouse of an Indian citizen or OCI cardholder in cases where:
- The marriage is dissolved by a court, or
- The spouse enters into another marriage while the first marriage has not been legally dissolved.
- Eligibility for OCI Cardholders:
The Government of India recognizes and issues OCI cards to persons who:- Were citizens of India at the time of, or at any time after, the commencement of the Constitution but are now citizens of another country.
- Were citizens of another country but were eligible to become citizens of India at the time of the Constitution’s commencement.
- Are citizens of another country but belonged to a territory that later became part of India.
- Are children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren of the above categories.
Note: Citizens of Pakistan and Bangladesh are not eligible for OCI. Recently, the government merged the PIO card scheme with the OCI scheme.
- Non-Resident Indian (NRI):
A Non-Resident Indian is a citizen of India holding an Indian passport who stays temporarily in another country for purposes of employment or education for more than 6 months.
Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2015 For NDA Preparation
| Topic | Details / Provisions |
|---|---|
| 🏛 Citizenship by Naturalisation | Central Government may relax the 12-month stay or government service requirement in special circumstances. Relaxation up to 30 days is permitted. |
| 🌏 OCI Registration – Additional Grounds | Provides extra grounds for registering an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI). |
| ⚠️ OCI Registration – Special Cases | Central Government may register a person as OCI even if qualifications are not met, in special cases. |
| 🔗 Merger of PIO and OCI | Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) are merged into the OCI scheme. The government may notify that PIO cardholders will be considered OCI from a specified date. |
| ❌ Cancellation of OCI | OCI status can be canceled if obtained by a spouse of an Indian citizen or OCI cardholder if: • Marriage is legally dissolved, or • Spouse remarries while the first marriage is not dissolved. |
| ✅ Eligibility for OCI Cardholders | OCI is issued to persons who: 1. Were citizens of India at or after Constitution’s commencement but now hold another citizenship. 2. Were citizens of another country but eligible for Indian citizenship at Constitution’s commencement. 3. Are citizens of another country but belonged to a territory that became part of India. 4. Children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren of the above. |
| 🚫 Exclusions | Citizens of Pakistan and Bangladesh are not eligible for OCI. |
| 🧳 Non-Resident Indian (NRI) | Indian citizen with Indian passport, staying temporarily in another country for employment or education for more than 6 months. |
FAQs: Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2015 For NDA GAT General Studies Section of Polity
Q1. What is the main purpose of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2015?
Answer:
The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2015 (CAA) amends the Citizenship Act, 1955. Its main purpose is to simplify the process of citizenship for certain groups, provide additional grounds for Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) registration, and allow special relaxations in citizenship by naturalisation. It also merges the Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) card with the OCI card scheme.
This is an important topic for NDA exam preparation, and students can download NDA notes, NDA study material PDF, and NDA polity notes preparation to revise this concept.
Q2. What are the relaxations allowed in citizenship by naturalisation under the CAA?
Answer:
Under the CAA, the Central Government may relax the 12-month residency requirement or government service conditions for citizenship if special circumstances exist. A relaxation of up to 30 days is permitted.
This is useful for candidates preparing for NDA exams, and you can download NDA notes, NDA study material PDF, and NDA polity notes preparation for detailed reference.
Q3. Who is eligible for registration as an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)?
Answer:
OCI is available to persons who:
- Were citizens of India at or after the Constitution’s commencement but now hold another nationality.
- Were citizens of another country but eligible for Indian citizenship at the Constitution’s commencement.
- Belonged to a territory that later became part of India.
- Are children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren of the above.
Note: Citizens of Pakistan and Bangladesh are not eligible.
This eligibility criterion is important for NDA polity preparation, and candidates can download NDA notes, NDA study material PDF, and NDA polity notes preparation for comprehensive coverage.
Q4. Can OCI status be canceled? If yes, under what circumstances?
Answer:
Yes, OCI status can be canceled if obtained by the spouse of an Indian citizen or OCI cardholder in the following cases:
- If the marriage is legally dissolved by a court.
- If the spouse enters into another marriage while the first marriage has not been legally dissolved.
Understanding this cancellation rule is vital for NDA exam questions, and students can download NDA notes, NDA study material PDF, and NDA polity notes preparation for practice.
Q5. What is the difference between OCI and Non-Resident Indian (NRI)?
Answer:
- OCI: A long-term card allowing certain rights for people of Indian origin who are now citizens of other countries.
- NRI: A citizen of India holding an Indian passport, temporarily staying abroad for employment or education for more than 6 months.
This distinction is frequently asked in NDA exams, so aspirants should download NDA notes, NDA study material PDF, and NDA polity notes preparation to revise effectively.
Q6. What was the significance of merging PIO cards with OCI cards?
Answer:
The merger of Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) cards with OCI cards simplifies documentation and allows uniform benefits for overseas Indians. It ensures that all eligible persons are treated consistently under the OCI scheme.
This is crucial for NDA polity preparation, and aspirants can download NDA notes, NDA study material PDF, and NDA polity notes preparation for clear understanding.
MCQs : Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2015 For NDA (UPSC) Written Exam
Q1. The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2015, amends which Act?
a) Indian Citizenship Act, 1948
b) Citizenship Act, 1955
c) Constitution of India, Article 11
d) Nationality Act, 1961
Answer: b) Citizenship Act, 1955
Explanation: The CAA, 2015, amends the Citizenship Act, 1955, providing relaxations in naturalisation and OCI registration.
This is useful for NDA exam preparation, and you can download NDA notes, NDA study material PDF, and NDA polity notes preparation.
Q2. What is the maximum relaxation in the 12-month stay requirement for citizenship by naturalisation under the CAA?
a) 15 days
b) 30 days
c) 6 months
d) 1 year
Answer: b) 30 days
Explanation: The Act allows the Central Government to relax the 12-month residency requirement by up to 30 days in special circumstances.
Important for NDA polity, so aspirants can download NDA notes, NDA study material PDF, and NDA polity notes preparation.
Q3. Which of the following persons is NOT eligible for OCI under the CAA?
a) Child of a former Indian citizen
b) Citizen of Pakistan
c) Grandchild of a person who belonged to Indian territory at Constitution commencement
d) Person of Indian origin who is now a citizen of another country
Answer: b) Citizen of Pakistan
Explanation: Citizens of Pakistan and Bangladesh are not eligible for OCI.
This is frequently asked in NDA exams, so students can download NDA notes, NDA study material PDF, and NDA polity notes preparation.
Q4. OCI status can be canceled under which circumstances?
a) If the OCI cardholder moves permanently to India
b) If the spouse divorces or remarries while first marriage is not dissolved
c) If the OCI cardholder fails to pay taxes in India
d) If the OCI cardholder travels to Pakistan or Bangladesh
Answer: b) If the spouse divorces or remarries while first marriage is not dissolved
Explanation: OCI can be canceled if obtained through a marriage that is later dissolved or if the spouse remarries while the first marriage is not legally dissolved.
Key for NDA polity, and aspirants can download NDA notes, NDA study material PDF, and NDA polity notes preparation.
Q5. Which of the following is true regarding the merger of PIO cards with OCI cards?
a) PIO cards remain valid but provide fewer benefits
b) PIO cards are merged with OCI cards to provide uniform benefits
c) PIO cards are valid only for citizens of Pakistan and Bangladesh
d) PIO cards are no longer recognized, and OCI is abolished
Answer: b) PIO cards are merged with OCI cards to provide uniform benefits
Explanation: The merger simplifies documentation and ensures consistent benefits for overseas Indians.
Relevant for NDA exam questions, so students can download NDA notes, NDA study material PDF, and NDA polity notes preparation.
Q6. Which of the following distinguishes an NRI from an OCI?
a) NRI is a foreign citizen, OCI is an Indian citizen
b) NRI is temporarily abroad with Indian passport, OCI is foreign citizen of Indian origin
c) NRI can vote in India, OCI cannot
d) NRI is permanent resident abroad, OCI is temporary
Answer: b) NRI is temporarily abroad with Indian passport, OCI is foreign citizen of Indian origin
Explanation: NRIs hold an Indian passport and reside temporarily abroad, whereas OCI holders are foreign citizens of Indian origin.
Important for NDA polity, and aspirants can download NDA notes, NDA study material PDF, and NDA polity notes preparation.
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