Citizenship MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Citizenship - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is Ministry of Home Affairs.

Key Points

• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is responsible for overseeing citizenship matters in India under the Citizenship Act, 1955.
• Citizenship can be acquired through birth, descent, registration, naturalization, or incorporation of territory as specified under the Act.
• The MHA processes applications for citizenship and grants approval after verifying all legal requirements.
• Indian citizenship policies are governed by the Constitution of India and the Citizenship Act, ensuring adherence to legal and constitutional provisions.
• Amendments to the Citizenship Act, such as the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, are also implemented and administered by the MHA.

Additional Information

• Citizenship Act, 1955:
  • This Act lays down the legal framework for acquiring, renouncing, and terminating Indian citizenship.
  • The Act has been amended multiple times, the latest being the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019.
  • It defines provisions for citizenship by birth, descent, registration, naturalization, and incorporation of territory.
• Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019:
  • This amendment allows fast-track citizenship for persecuted minorities (Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians) from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
  • It applies only to individuals who entered India before December 31, 2014.
  • The Act excludes Muslims from its provisions, leading to significant debate and protests.
• Dual Citizenship in India:
  • India does not allow dual citizenship. Individuals must renounce their previous nationality to acquire Indian citizenship.
  • However, the government offers the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card for people of Indian origin living abroad.
• Role of State Governments:
  • State governments assist the MHA in verifying local records and processing citizenship applications.
  • However, the final authority to grant citizenship lies solely with the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The correct answer is Both Statement I and Statement II are correct, and Statement II explains Statement I.

Key Points

• Statement I is correct: India’s adoption of single citizenship promotes unity, national identity, and discourages regionalism or state-specific discrimination.
• Statement II is correct: Under single citizenship, all citizens have equal rights and obligations across India, unlike in federations like the USA where dual citizenship exists.
• Statement II explains Statement I by elaborating how equal rights and legal status across states contribute to a unified national identity.
• Single citizenship allows freedom of movement, employment, and residence without requiring state-specific registration or documentation.

Additional Information

• Single Citizenship: Enshrined in the Constitution under Part II, every Indian is a citizen of India regardless of the state or union territory of residence.
• Article 5 to 11: Deal with the provisions relating to citizenship at the commencement of the Constitution and empower Parliament to regulate future citizenship laws.
• Comparison with USA: In the U.S., citizens hold both state and national citizenship, which can lead to different rights and legal procedures across states.
• Constitutional Values: Single citizenship aligns with the ideals of equality, unity, and integrity promoted in the Preamble and other constitutional provisions.

The correct answer is Option 3

Key Points

• Renunciation: A person can voluntarily renounce his Indian citizenship. Hence, 1 is correct.
• Termination: It is terminated if citizenship is acquired with any other country at his own choice. Hence, 2 is correct.
• Deprivation: He can be deprived of citizenship. This can happen when the individual got citizenship based on fraud; he is not loyal to the Constitution; has traded with an enemy during the course of war or in other conditions. Hence, 3 is correct.
• There is no provision in Indian citizenship laws that revokes citizenship for residing outside India for more than 10 years without renewal. Hence, 4 is incorrect.

Additional Information Misconception About Revocation:

• There is no provision in Indian law that revokes citizenship for residing outside India for more than 10 years. However, Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) status can be revoked for certain violations.

The correct answer is 1955.

Key Points

• The Citizenship Act was passed by the Indian Parliament in the year 1955.
• This Act provides for the acquisition and determination of Indian citizenship.
• The Act has been amended multiple times to address evolving needs and challenges.
• It lays down provisions for citizenship by birth, descent, registration, naturalization, and the incorporation of territory.

Additional Information

• Citizenship by Birth
  • A person born in India on or after January 26, 1950, but before July 1, 1987, is a citizen of India by birth irrespective of the nationality of his/her parents.
• Citizenship by Descent
  • A person born outside India on or after January 26, 1950, but before December 10, 1992, is a citizen of India by descent if his/her father was a citizen of India by birth.
• Citizenship by Registration
  • Persons of Indian origin who have been residents in India for seven years before applying for registration can acquire citizenship.
• Citizenship by Naturalization
  • A foreigner can acquire Indian citizenship, on application, if he/she has resided in India for 12 years and meets other qualifications as specified in the Third Schedule of the Act.
• Amendments to the Act
  • Significant amendments were made in 1986, 1992, 2003, 2005, and 2019 to address various legal and societal changes.

The correct answer is Acquire property.

Key Points

• Indian citizenship can be acquired through birth, as per the Citizenship Act, 1955.
• Citizenship can also be attained by descent, which applies to individuals born outside India to Indian parents.
• Naturalisation is a process where a foreign national residing in India for a specified period can apply for citizenship.
• Acquiring property in India is not a valid condition for obtaining Indian citizenship.

Additional Information

• Citizenship by Birth
  • Any person born in India on or after January 26, 1950, but before July 1, 1987, is a citizen of India by birth irrespective of the nationality of his/her parents.
  • After July 1, 1987, the person born in India can claim citizenship if either of the parents is an Indian citizen at the time of his/her birth.
• Citizenship by Descent
  • A person born outside India on or after January 26, 1950, but before December 10, 1992, is a citizen of India if his/her father was a citizen of India at the time of his/her birth.
  • After December 10, 1992, either of the parents must be an Indian citizen for the person to claim citizenship by descent.
• Citizenship by Registration
  • A person of Indian origin who has been a resident in India for seven years can apply for citizenship through registration.
  • Married spouses of Indian citizens can also apply for citizenship by registration after seven years of residency.
• Citizenship by Naturalisation
  • A foreign national can apply for Indian citizenship if they have resided in India for the past 12 years and satisfy other qualifications as prescribed by the government.
  • Applicants must demonstrate an intention to reside in India permanently.

The correct answer is Part II.

Key Points

• Citizenship is listed in the Union List under the Constitution and thus is under the exclusive jurisdiction of Parliament.
• The Constitution does not define the term ‘citizen’ but details of various categories of persons who are entitled to citizenship are given in Part 2 (Articles 5 to 11).
• Unlike other provisions of the Constitution, which came into being on January 26, 1950, these articles were enforced on November 26, 1949, itself, when the Constitution was adopted.
• ​Hence option 2 is correct.

Additional Information

• Acquisition and Determination of Indian Citizenship
• There are five ways in which I ndian citizenship can be acquired: birth, descent, registration, naturalization and incorporation of Territory.
• The provisions are listed under the Citize nship Act, 1955.
  1. By Birth
  2. By Descent
  3. By Registration
  4. By Naturalisation
  5. By Incorporation of Territory
  6. Special Provisions as to Citizenship of Persons Covered by the Assam Accord

The correct answer is 1 only

Key Points

• A person cannot have more than one domicile. 
  • ​The Constitution of India does not allow holding Indian citizenship and citizenship of a foreign country simultaneously. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
• In India, both a citizen by birth as well as a naturalized citizen is eligible for the office of President.
  •  While in the USA, only a citizen by birth and not a naturalized citizen is eligible for the office of President. Hence, Statement 2 is not correct.
• The Citizenship Act, 1955:
  • It prescribes three ways of losing citizenship whether acquired under the Act or before it under the Constitution, viz, renunciation, termination, and deprivation. Hence, Statement 3 is not correct.

Additional Information

• Citizenship in India :
  • The Citizenship Act offers other categories of citizenship like Citizenship by Registration (Section 5) and Citizenship by Naturalisation (Section 6).
  • Citizenship is listed in the Union List under the Constitution and thus is under the exclusive jurisdiction of Parliament.
  • The Constitution does not define the term ‘citizen’ but details of various categories of persons who are entitled to citizenship are given in Part 2 (Articles 5 to 11).
  • Article 11: It empowers Parliament to make any provision concerning the acquisition and termination of citizenship and all matters relating to it.
  • There are four ways in which Indian citizenship can be acquired: birth, descent, registration, and naturalization. The provisions are listed under the Citizenship Act, 1955.
  • The Act does not provide for dual citizenship or dual nationality. It only allows citizenship for a person listed under the provisions above ie: by birth, descent, registration, or naturalization.

The correct answer is 7 Yrs.Key Points

• The Constitution deals with citizenship from Articles 5 to 11 under Part II.
• It empowers the Parliament to enact a law to provide for such matters and any other matter relating to citizenship.
• Accordingly, the Parliament has enacted the Citizenship Act, 1955, which has been amended in 1957, 1960, 1985, 1986, 1992, 2003, 2005, and 2015.
• The Indian constitution provides only for single citizenship, unlike the US.
• Indian citizenship can be acquired by birth, descent, registration, and naturalization. 

Loss of Citizenship:

• By Renunciation
• By Termination
• By Deprivation
  • ​The citizenship of a person is lost if he has been living outside India for 7 years continuously.

The correct answer is 2005.

Key Points

• The Overseas Citizenship of India is an immigration status permitting a foreign citizen of Indian origin to live and work in the Republic of India indefinitely.
• The Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) Scheme was introduced by amending the Citizenship Act, 1955 in August 2005.
• The Constitution of India precludes Indian citizens from getting dual citizenship. As such, according to Indian law, the OCI is not true Indian citizenship because it has other limitations, such as no freedom to vote, no right to hold constitutional offices, and no opportunity to purchase agricultural land.
• Article 5 to Article 11 of the Indian Constitution deals with Citizenship.

Additional Information

• Citizenship Act, 1955:
  • ​Provides for acquisition and loss of Indian Citizenship after the commencement of the Constitution.
  • This act is amended so far 6 times by the following acts:
    • Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 1986
    • Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 1992
    • Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2003
    • Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2005
    • Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2015
    • Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019

The correct answer is All of the above.

Key Points

• The Citizenship Act, 1955 lays down the three ways by which an Indian citizen, whether a citizen at the commencement of the Constitution or after it, may lose his citizenship.
• These are:
  • Renunciation
  • Termination
  • Deprivation.

Renunciation

• It is a voluntary act by which a person after acquiring the citizenship of another country gives up his Indian citizenship.
• Though the Indian Constitution is federal and envisages a dual polity (Union and State), it only provides for a Single Citizenship.

Termination

• It takes place by operation of law.
• When an Indian citizen voluntarily acquires the citizenship of another country, he automatically ceases to be an Indian citizen. (Single Citizenship)

Deprivation

• It is a compulsory termination of the citizenship of India obtained by Registration or Naturalization.
• The citizenship is deprived based on an order of the Government of India, in cases involving the acquisition of Indian citizenship by fraud, false representation, and concealment of a material fact or being disloyal to the Constitution, etc.

Important Points

Acquisition of Indian Citizenship:

1. Citizenship by Birth
2. Citizenship by Descent
3. Citizenship by Registration
4. Citizenship by Naturalization
5. Citizenship by the incorporation of Territory

The correct answer is Article 5 to 11.

Key Points

• Citizenship is listed in the Union List under the Constitution. The Constitution does not define the term ‘citizen’ but details of various categories of persons who are entitled to citizenship are given in Part 2 (Articles 5 to 11).

Important Points

• Article 5: Citizenship at the commencement of the Constitution At the commencement of this Constitution every person who has his domicile in the territory of India.
• Article 6: It provided rights of citizenship of certain persons who have migrated to India from Pakistan.
• Article 7: Provided Rights of citizenship of certain migrants to Pakistan.
• Article 8: Provided Rights of citizenship of certain persons of Indian origin residing outside India.
• Article 9: Provided that if any person voluntarily acquired the citizenship of a foreign State will no longer be a citizen of India.
• Article 10: It says that every person who is or is deemed to be a citizen of India under any of the foregoing provisions of this Part shall, subject to the provisions of any law that may be made by Parliament, continue to be such citizen.
• Article 11: It empowers Parliament to make any provision with respect to the acquisition and termination of citizenship and all matters relating to it.

The correct answer is England.

Key Points 

• In India, the concept of single citizenship is adopted from England.
  • In India, the concept of single citizenship is adopted from the British constitution that is from England.
  • The Constitution of India provides for single citizenship for the whole of India.
  • The Citizenship Act, 1955 deals with matters relating to acquisition, determination and termination of Indian citizenship after the commencement of the Constitution.
• The Constitution of India is the supreme law of India.
• The document lays down the framework that demarcates the fundamental political code, structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions and sets out fundamental rights, directive principles, and the duties of citizens.
• Hence, option 1 is correct. 

Additional Information 

• Indian Constitution makes arrangement for federal Structure the existence of Center and States.
• But it provides for Single Citizenship which means all citizens irrespective of the state in which they born enjoy single citizenship of India, unlike the USA where there is dual citizenship.
• According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, there are five ways in which Indian citizenship can be acquired :
  • birth, descent, registration and naturalisation or inclusion of territory.
• The provisions are listed under sections 3, 4, 5(1) and 5(4) of the Citizenship Act, 1955.

The correct answer is An OCI is at par with NRIs in all matters.

• Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) refers all the Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) who were citizens of India on 26^th January 1950 or thereafter or were eligible to become citizens of India on 26th January 1950 except who is or had been a citizen of Pakistan, Bangladesh or such other country as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify.
• A registered Overseas Citizen of India enjoys the following benefits:
  • he/she is granted multiple entries, multi-purpose, life-long visa for visiting India,
  • he/she is exempted from registration with Foreign Regional Registration Officer or Foreign Registration Officer for any length of stay in India, and
  • is entitled to general 'parity with Non-Resident Indians in respect of all facilities available to them in economic, financial and educational fields except in matters relating to the acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties'.
  • However, OCI is not at par with NRIs in all the matters.

• NRI means Non-Resident Indian. NRI is a residential status given to a citizen of India with an Indian Passport who resides in a foreign country for the purpose of work/business, or education.
• The eligibility criteria for NRI status is that the person should be an Indian citizen with a valid Indian Passport and should reside outside of India for at least 183 days or more in a financial year (April 1st – March 31st).
• Until the year 2010, NRIs were not allowed to vote in the elections.
• However, post-2010 an amendment permitted NRIs to vote at their particular constituency in India but the voting required the direct presence of the NRI in India at the particular polling booth where the name was registered.

The correct answer is Five.

Key Points

Indian citizenship can be acquired in five ways, they are:

• Citizenship by Birth
• Citizenship by Descent
• Citizenship by Registration
• Citizenship by Naturalisation
• Citizenship by incorporation of Territory

Additional Information

• Part II of the Constitution of India (Articles 5 - 11) deals with the Citizenship of India. 
• Article 5: Citizenship at the commencement of the Constitution
• Article 6: Rights of citizenship of certain persons who have migrated to India from Pakistan.
• Article 7: Rights of citizenship of certain migrants to Pakistan.
• Article 8: Rights of citizenship of certain persons of Indian origin residing outside India
• Article 9: Persons voluntarily acquiring citizenship of a foreign State not to be citizens.
• Article 10: Continuance of the rights of citizenship
• Article 11: Parliament to regulate the right of citizenship by law

The correct answer is Selection

Key Points

• The provisions governing citizenship of India are enshrined in the Citizenship Act, 1955.
• The Constitution of India in Articles 5 to 11, only talks about who was a citizen till 26 January 1950.
• Provisions of Citizenship Act, 1955 Citizens have privileges as well as liabilities over non-citizens in a particular territory.
• 5 ways of acquiring Indian citizenship are:
  • By Birth
  • By Acquisition or Incorporation of Territory
  • By Descent
  • By Registration
  • By Naturalization​

Important Points

• By Naturalization:
  • ​Citizenship is acquired by making an application to the central government.
  • For granting citizenship to a person, the criteria of the third schedule of this act must be satisfied.
  • The person to whom the citizenship certificate is to be granted must be of good character, must have knowledge of any language given in the eighth schedule of the Indian Constitution, must not be an illegal migrant, and must have renounced the previous citizenship.
  • The person must have resided (lived) in India for 11 years in the previous 14 years and one year immediately before the time of making the application.
  • Note: After the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019, the number of years from eleven has been decreased to five years and one year immediately before making the application.
  • This makes a total of 6 years.
  • If the person has made a significant contribution or rendered service to the fields like science, arts, literature, human progress, the government may waive off the conditions given in the third schedule of this act.
• Thus we can say the basis of acquiring Citizenship through Naturalization is by selection not by birth.

Additional Information

• By Birth:

• A person shall not be such a citizen by virtue of this section if at the time of his birth.
  • If a person is born in the territory of India, he shall be a citizen of India.
  •  A person born on or after 26 January 1950 but before 1 July 1987, irrespective of the citizenship of parents.
  • It is called jus soli (right of soil).
  • A person born on or after 1 July 1987 but before 3 December 2004.
  • Either of the parents of the person born should be a citizen of India at the time of birth.
  • It is called jus sanguins (right of blood or descent). Citizenship is granted to a person on the basis of the Indian nationality of any of the parents, immaterial of the fact that at which place the child took birth.
  • A person born on or after 3 December 2004.
  • Both the parents of the child born should be a citizen of India at the time of birth.
  • A person shall not acquire citizenship of India if any of his parents is an envoy (foreign diplomat) or enemy alien or illegal immigrant.
  • Note: Illegal immigrant is defined in the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2016, as any person who enters the territory of India without a valid passport, fake passport, or stays beyond a Visa permit.