Comment Please: How does one become CITIZEN OF INDIA !
Here are the ways one can become an Indian citizen currently.
Important
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After 2004 any person born to foreign parents in Indian soil is NOT a citizen of India by default. The US still gives default citizenship to all children by virtue of birth in its soil even those who are born to foreign parents.
Ways once can become an Indian citizen.
Citizenship by Birth
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Any person born in India on or after 26 January 1950 but prior to the commencement of the 1986 Act on 1 July 1987 was a citizen of India by birth. A person born in India on or after 1 July 1987 was a citizen of India if either parent was a citizen of India at the time of the birth. Those born in India on or after 3 December 2004 are considered citizens of India only if both of their parents are citizens of India or if one parent is a citizen of India and the other is not an illegal migrant at the time of their birth.
Citizenship by Descent
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Persons born outside India on or after 26 January 1950 but before 10 December 1992 are citizens of India by descent if their father was a citizen of India at the time of their birth.
Person born outside India on or after 10 December 1992 are considered as citizens of India if either of their parents is a citizen of India at the time of their birth.
From 3 December 2004 onwards, persons born outside of India shall not be considered citizens of India unless their birth is registered at an Indian consulate within one year of the date of birth. In certain circumstances it is possible to register after 1 year with the permission of the Central Government. The application for registration of the birth of a minor child must be made to an Indian consulate and must be accompanied by an undertaking in writing from the parents of such minor child that he or she does not hold the passport of another country. In simple words we can say.a person born outside India on or after 26th jan 1950 shall be a citizen of India by decent he either his parents is a citizen of India at the time of person 's birth (Kalbi)
Citizenship by Registration
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The Central Government may, on an application, register as a citizen of India under section 5 of the Citizenship Act 1955 any person (not being an illegal migrant) if he belongs to any of the following categories:-------
* a person of Indian origin who is ordinarily resident in India for seven years before making an application for registration;
* a person of Indian origin who is ordinarily resident in any country or place outside undivided India;
* a person who is married to a citizen of India and is ordinarily resident in India for seven years before making an application for registration;
* minor children of persons who are citizens of India;
* a person of full age and capacity whose parents are registered as citizens of India by ordinary residence in India for seven years;
* a person of full age and capacity who, or either of his parents, was earlier citizen of independent India, and has been residing in India for one year immediately before making an application for registration;
* a person of full age and capacity who has been registered as an overseas citizen of India for five years, and who has been residing in India for one year before making an application for registration.
*.person of full age and capacity who are citizen of common wealth country or republic of Ireland.(Kalbi)
Citizenship by Naturalization
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Citizenship of India by naturalization can be acquired by a foreigner who has resided in India for twelve years. The applicant must have lived a total of 11 years in India in a period of 14 years, and must have spent in India the past 12 months preceding the application.
Kindly comment on above and add your views if I missed some important points in above discussion.
Thank you
