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Citizenship Act, 1955

SectionRuleKey ConceptCase Law
2DefinitionsExplains important words like “citizen”, “illegal migrant” (person entering without valid documents).Sarbananda Sonowal v Union of India
3Citizenship by birthA person born in India is a citizen, based on conditions (rules depend on year of birth).Pradeep Jain v Union of India
4Citizenship by descentA person born outside India can be a citizen if parents are Indian citizens.State Trading Corporation v CTO
5Citizenship by registrationCertain persons (like persons of Indian origin) can apply to become citizens.Izhar Ahmad Khan v Union of India
6Citizenship by naturalisationA foreign person can become a citizen after living in India for a required time.Louis De Raedt v Union of India
6ASpecial provision for AssamSpecial rules for people who came to Assam from Bangladesh.Sarbananda Sonowal v Union of India
7Citizenship by incorporation of territoryPeople of a new territory become citizens when that area becomes part of India.Re: Berubari Union Case
7AOverseas Citizen of India (OCI)Allows foreign citizens of Indian origin to register as OCI cardholders.Anand Vardhan Chandel v Union of India
7BRights of OCI cardholdersExplains rights given to OCI cardholders (not equal to full citizens).Anand Vardhan Chandel v Union of India
7CRenunciation of OCIOCI cardholder can give up their status voluntarily.Anand Vardhan Chandel v Union of India
7DCancellation of OCIGovernment can cancel OCI status in certain situations (like fraud or crime).Anand Vardhan Chandel v Union of India
8Renunciation of citizenshipA person can give up Indian citizenship voluntarily.Izhar Ahmad Khan v Union of India
9Termination of citizenshipCitizenship ends if a person takes citizenship of another country.Izhar Ahmad Khan v Union of India
10Deprivation of citizenshipGovernment can remove citizenship in cases like fraud (false information).Louis De Raedt v Union of India
11Power of ParliamentParliament has power to make laws about citizenship.State Trading Corporation v CTO