Taxmann's Citizenship Act 1955 & Citizenship Rules 2009 by Taxmann

Sample Read

Law stated in this book is as updated till 1st December, 2025

Published by : Taxmann Publications (P.) Ltd.

Sales & Marketing : 59/32, New Rohtak Road, New Delhi-110 005 India

Phone : +91-11-45562222

Website : www.taxmann.com

E-mail : sales@taxmann.com

Regd. Office : 21/35, West Punjabi Bagh, New Delhi-110 026 India

Printed at :

Tan Prints (India) Pvt. Ltd.

44 Km. Mile Stone, National Highway, Rohtak Road Village Rohad, Distt. Jhajjar (Haryana) India

E-mail : sales@tanprints.com

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to avoid errors or omissions in this publication. In spite of this, errors may creep in. Any mistake, error or discrepancy noted may be brought to our notice which shall be taken care of in the next edition. It is notified that neither the publisher nor the author or seller will be responsible for any damage or loss of action to any one, of any kind, in any manner, therefrom. It is suggested that to avoid any doubt the reader should cross-check all the facts, law and contents of the publication with original Government publication or notifications.

No part of this book may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means [graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or information retrieval systems] or reproduced on any disc, tape, perforated media or other information storage device, etc., without the written permission of the publishers. Breach of this condition is liable for legal action.

For binding mistake, misprints or for missing pages, etc., the publisher’s liability is limited to replacement within seven days of purchase by similar edition. All expenses in this connection are to be borne by the purchaser. All disputes are subject to Delhi jurisdiction only.

CITIZENSHIP ACT, 1955

Arrangement of Sections

1. Short title 1

2. Interpretation 1

ACQUISITION OF CITIZENSHIP

3. Citizenship by birth 5

4. Citizenship by descent 7

5. Citizenship by registration 10

6. Citizenship by naturalisation 13

6A. Special provisions as to citizenship of persons covered by the Assam Accord 15

6B. Special provisions as to citizenship of person covered by proviso to clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 2 20

7. Citizenship by incorporation of territory 25

OVERSEAS CITIZENSHIP

7A. Registration of Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder 26

7B. Conferment of rights on Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder 29

7C. Renunciation of Overseas Citizen of India Card 31

7D. Cancellation of registration as Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder 31 TERMINATION OF CITIZENSHIP

8. Renunciation of citizenship 33

9. Termination of citizenship 34

10. Deprivation of citizenship 35

SUPPLEMENTAL

11. [Omitted by the Citizenship (Amdt.) Act, 2003, w.e.f. 3-12-2004] 37

12. [Omitted by the Citizenship (Amdt.) Act, 2003, w.e.f. 3-12-2004] 37

13. Certi cate of citizenship in case of doubt 37

14. Disposal of application under sections 5, 6 and 7A 38

14A. Issue of national identity cards 38

15. Revision 39

15A. Review 40

16. Delegation of powers

18. Power to make rules 41 19. Repeals 43

SCH. I [Omitted by the Citizenship (Amdt.) Act, 2003, w.e.f. 3-12-2004] 43

SCH. II Oath of Allegiance 43

SCH. III Quali cations for Naturalisation 43

SCH. IV [Omitted by the Citizenship (Amdt.) Act, 2005, w.r.e.f. 28-6-2005] 44

CITIZENSHIP RULES, 2009

Arrangement of Rules

1. Short title and commencement 45

2. De nitions 45

PART II

APPLICATION FOR CITIZENSHIP

3. Application for registration of birth under section 4 45

4. Application for registration under clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 5 45

5. Application for registration under clause (c) of sub-section (1) of section 5 46

6. Application for registration under clause (d) of sub-section (1) of section 5 46

7. Application for registration under clause (e) of sub-section (1) of section 5 47

8. Application for registration under clause (f) of sub-section (1) of section 5 47

9. Application for registration under clause (g) of sub-section (1) of section 5 47

10. Application for grant of citizenship by naturalisation under sub-section (1) of section 6 48

10A. Application for grant of citizenship by registration or naturalisation by persons eligible under section 6B 48

11. Authority to which application may be made 49

11A. Authority to which application may be made by a person applying under section 6B 50

PART III

ISSUE OF CERTIFICATE OF CITIZENSHIP AND MAINTENANCE OF REGISTERS

12. Forwarding of applications to Central Government 50

13. Scrutiny of applications by Central Government 51

13A. Scrutiny of applications by Empowered Committee 51

14. Grant of certi cate of registration

15. Grant of certi cate of naturalisation 52

16. Oath of allegiance for naturalisation 52

17. Register of citizens 53

18. Maintenance of registers and connected papers 53

PART IV

PROVISIONS AS TO CITIZENSHIP OF INDIA FOR PERSONS COVERED BY ASSAM ACCORD

19. Registering authority for the purpose of sub-section (3) of section 6A and form for registration 53

20. Reference to Tribunals 54

21. Jurisdiction of Tribunal 54

22. Declaration under sub-section (6) of section 6A 54

PART V

RENUNCIATION AND DEPRIVATION OF CITIZENSHIP OF INDIA

23. Declaration of renunciation of citizenship 55

24. Declaration of intention to resume Indian citizenship 55

25. Notice to be given before deprivation of citizenship 55

26. Committee to follow procedure speci ed in Schedule II in holding inquiry 56

27. Order depriving a person of citizenship of India to be published 56

28. Surrender and cancellation of certi cate in case of deprivation of citizenship 56

PART VI

OVERSEAS CITIZEN OF INDIA CARDHOLDER REGISTRATION, RENUNCIATION AND CANCELLATION

29. Application for registration under section 7A 56

30. [***] 57

31. Authority to which applications are to be made

32. Scrutiny of applications 57

33. Certi cate of registration and maintenance of register or persons under section 7A 58

34. Declaration of renunciation of Overseas Citizen of India card 58

35. Cancellation of registration as overseas citizen of India cardholder 58

PART VII

MISCELLANEOUS

36. Variation in Form of application or declaration 58

37. Certi cate of citizenship in case of doubt

38. Authority before whom application or declaration may be made or by whom the oath of allegiance may be administered

39. Certi cate of documents

40. Authority to determine acquisition of citizenship of another country 60

41. Fees 60

42. Authority for revision of an order made under the Act by prescribed authority 60

43. Repeal and saving 60

SCHEDULE I 61

FORM I

FORM II

FORM IIA

FORM III

FORM IIIA

FORM IV

FORM IVA

FORM V

FORM VA

APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF BIRTH OF A MINOR CHILD AT AN INDIAN CONSULATE UNDER SECTION 4(1) OF THE CITIZENSHIP ACT, 1955

APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION AS A CITIZEN OF INDIA UNDER SECTION 5(1)(a) OF THE CITIZENSHIP ACT, 1955 MADE BY A PERSON OF INDIAN ORIGIN

APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION AS A CITIZEN OF INDIA UNDER SECTION 6B OF THE CITIZENSHIP ACT, 1955 MADE BY A PERSON OF INDIAN ORIGIN FULFILLING THE CONDITIONS UNDER SECTION 5(1)(a) OF THE ACT

APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION AS A CITIZEN OF INDIA UNDER SECTION 5(1)(c) OF THE CITIZENSHIP ACT, 1955 MADE BY A PERSON WHO IS/HAS BEEN MARRIED TO A CITIZEN OF INDIA

APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION AS A CITIZEN OF INDIA UNDER SECTION 6B OF THE CITIZENSHIP ACT, 1955 MADE BY A PERSON WHO IS/HAS BEEN MARRIED TO A CITIZEN OF INDIA FULFILLING THE CONDITIONS UNDER SECTION 5(1)(c) OF THE ACT

APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF A MINOR CHILD UNDER SECTION 5(1)(d) OF THE CITIZENSHIP ACT, 1955

APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF A MINOR CHILD UNDER SECTION 6B OF THE CITIZENSHIP ACT, 1955 FULFILLING THE CONDITIONS UNDER SECTION 5(1)(d) OF THE ACT

APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION AS A CITIZEN OF INDIA UNDER SECTION 5(1)(e) OF THE CITIZENSHIP ACT, 1955 MADE BY A PERSON WHOSE PARENTS ARE REGISTERED AS CITIZENS OF INDIA UNDER SECTION 5(1)(a) OR SECTION 6(1)

APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION AS A CITIZEN OF INDIA UNDER SECTION 6B OF THE CITIZENSHIP ACT, 1955 MADE BY A PERSON WHOSE PARENTS ARE REGISTERED AS CITIZENS OF INDIA UNDER SECTION 5(1)(a) OR SECTION 6(1) FULFILLING THE CONDITIONS UNDER SECTION 5(1)(e) OF THE ACT

FORM VI

FORM VIA

APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION AS A CITIZEN OF INDIA UNDER SECTION 5(1)(f) OF THE CITIZENSHIP ACT, 2008 MADE BY A PERSON WHO OR EITHER OF THE PARENTS WAS A CITIZEN OF INDEPENDENT INDIA 82

APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION AS A CITIZEN OF INDIA UNDER SECTION 6B OF THE CITIZENSHIP ACT, 1955 MADE BY A PERSON WHO OR EITHER OF THE PARENTS WAS A CITIZEN OF INDEPENDENT INDIA FULFILLING THE CONDITIONS UNDER SECTION 5(1)(f) OF THE ACT

FORM VII

FORM VIIA

FORM VIII

FORM VIIIA

FORM IX

FORM X

FORM XA

FORM XIA

FORM XII

APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION AS A CITIZEN OF INDIA UNDER SECTION 5(1)(g) OF THE CITIZENSHIP ACT, 1955 MADE BY A PERSON WHO IS REGISTERED AS AN OVERSEAS CITIZEN OF INDIA CARDHOLDER UNDER SECTION 7A

APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION AS A CITIZEN OF INDIA UNDER SECTION 6B OF THE CITIZENSHIP ACT, 1955 MADE BY A PERSON WHO IS REGISTERED AS AN OVERSEAS CITIZEN OF INDIA CARDHOLDER UNDER SECTION 7A FULFILLING THE CONDITIONS UNDER SECTION 5(1)(g) OF THE ACT

APPLICATION FOR NATURALIZATION AS A CITIZEN OF INDIA UNDER SECTION 6(1) OF THE CITIZENSHIP ACT, 1955

APPLICATION FOR NATURALIZATION AS A CITIZEN OF INDIA UNDER SECTION 6B OF THE CITIZENSHIP ACT, 1955

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FOR THE APPLICATION FOR GRANT OF CITIZENSHIP UNDER SECTION 5(1)(a), (c), (d), (e), (f) AND (g) OR SECTION 6B OF THE CITIZENSHIP ACT, 1955

OF REGISTRATION

OF NATURALISATION

FORM XIIA CERTIFICATE OF NATURALISATION

FORM XIII

FORM XIV

REGISTER OF THE PERSONS REGISTERED AS INDIAN CITIZENS UNDER SECTION 5(1)(a), (e) & (f) OR SECTION 6B OF THE CITIZENSHIP ACT, 1955

FORM XV REGISTER OF MINOR CHILDREN REGISTERED AS INDIAN CITIZENS UNDER SECTION 5(1)(d) OR SECTION 6B OF THE CITIZENSHIP ACT, 1955

FORM XVI

FORM XVII

REGISTER OF CERTIFICATE OF NATURALISATION AND OATHS OF ALLEGIANCE UNDER SECTION 6(1) OR SECTION 6B OF THE CITIZENSHIP ACT, 1955

FORM XVIII APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER SECTION 6A OF THE CITIZENSHIP ACT, 1955

FORM XIX THE NAMES OF THE PERSONS REGISTERED ALONGWITH OTHER PARTICULARS UNDER SECTION 6A OF THE CITIZENSHIP ACT, 1955 BY THE REGISTERING AUTHORITY DISTRICT, ASSAM

FORM XX LIST OF PERSONS WHO HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER SECTION 6A OF THE CITIZENSHIP ACT, 1955 DURING THE QUARTER ENDING IN MARCH/JUNE/SEPTEMBER/DECEMBER, 20.............. 108

FORM XXI DECLARATION AS REQUIRED UNDER SECTION 6A(6) OF THE CITIZENSHIP ACT, 1955 TO BE FILLED IN BY THE PERSON WHO DOES NOT WISH TO BECOME A CITIZEN OF INDIA 109

FORM XXII DECLARATION OF RENUNCIATION OF CITIZENSHIP UNDER SECTION 8 OF THE ACT MADE BY A CITIZEN OF INDIA WHO IS ALSO A CITIZEN OR NATIONAL OF ANOTHER COUNTRY

FORM XXIII ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FOR THE DECLARATION OF RENUNCIATION OF CITIZENSHIP OF INDIA UNDER SECTION 8 OF THE CITIZENSHIP ACT, 1955 110

FORM XXIV CERTIFICATE OF RENUNCIATION OF INDIAN CITIZENSHIP UNDER RULE 23 OF THE CITIZENSHIP RULES, 2009 111

FORM XXIV-A REGISTER OF DECLARATIONS OF RENUNCIATION OF INDIAN CITIZENSHIP 111

FORM XXV DECLARATION OF INTENTION TO RESUME INDIAN CITIZENSHIP UNDER SECTION 8(2) OF THE ACT MADE BY A PERSON WHO HAS CEASED TO BE AN INDIAN CITIZEN ON THE LOSS OF INDIAN CITIZENSHIP BY HIS PARENTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 8(1) OF THE CITIZENSHIP ACT, 1955

FORM XXVI CERTIFICATE OF RESUMPTION OF INDIAN CITIZENSHIP

FORM XXVII REGISTER OF DECLARATIONS OF RESUMPTION OF INDIAN CITIZENSHIP

Form XXVIII APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION AS AN OVERSEAS CITIZEN OF INDIA CARDHOLDER UNDER SECTION 7A OF THE CITIZENSHIP ACT, 1955

FORM XXIX CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION

FORM XXX REGISTER OF PERSONS REGISTERED AS OVERSEAS CITIZEN OF INDIA CARDHOLDER UNDER SECTION 7A AND IS CANCELLED UNDER SECTION 7D OF THE CITIZENSHIP ACT, 1955

FORM XXXI DECLARATION OF THE RENUNCIATION OF THE CARD REGISTERING AS AN OVERSEAS CITIZEN OF INDIA CARDHOLDER UNDER SECTION 7C(1) OF THE CITIZENSHIP ACT, 1955 MADE BY AN OVERSEAS CITIZEN OF INDIA CARDHOLDER

FORM XXXII ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

FORM XXXIII CERTIFICATE OF CITIZENSHIP IN CASE OF DOUBT UNDER SECTION 13 OF ACT

SCHEDULE

CITIZENSHIP (REGISTRATION OF CITIZENS AND ISSUE OF NATIONAL IDENTITY CARDS) RULES, 2003

Arrangement of Rules

1. Short title and commencement

2. De nitions

3. National Register of Indian Citizens

4. Preparation of the National Register of Indian Citizens

4A. Special provisions as to National Register of Indian Citizens in State of Assam

5. Of cials of the Central Government, State Governments and local bodies to assist the Registrar General of Citizen Registration

6. Initialization of National Register of Indian Citizens

7. Head of family and individual to act as informant

8. Power of District Registrar, Sub-district or Taluk Registrar or Local Registrar of Citizen Registration to obtain information

9. Procedure as to making of entries in National Register of Indian Citizens

10. Deletion of name and particulars from National Register of Indian Citizens

11. Maintenance and updating of National Register of Indian Citizens

12. Modi cation of entries in National Register of Indian Citizens

13. Issue of National Identity Cards

14. National Identity Cards to be Government property and responsibility of Citizens to keep them properly

15. Designation of National Registration Authority and of cers

16. Supervision and Control of Registrar General of Citizen Registration over District, Sub-district or Taluk and Local Registrars of Citizen Registration

17. Penal consequences in certain cases

18. Guidelines for collection of particulars of individuals, veri cation, issue of National Identity Cards, etc.

SCHEDULE Special provision as to manner of preparation of National register of Indian Citizen in State of Assam

PROVISIONS OF CERTAIN RIGHTS TO OVERSEAS CITIZEN OF INDIA CARDHOLDERS

GRANT OF CERTIFICATE OF NATURALISATION UNDER SECTION 5 OR 6, IN RESPECT OF ANY PERSON BELONGING TO MINORITY COMMUNITY IN AFGHANISTAN, BANGLADESH AND PAKISTAN

NOTIFIED EMPOWERED COMMITTEE UNDER RULES 11A(1) AND 13A

SAMPLE CHAPTER

CITIZENSHIP ACT, 1955 [57 of 1955]*

An Act to provide for the acquisition and determination of Indian citizenship.

BE it enacted by Parliament in the Sixth Year of the Republic of India as follows:

Short title

1. This Act may be called the Citizenship Act, 1955.

SECTION ANALYSIS

1.1 Short title and commencement Citizenship Act, 1955 came into force on 30-12-1955 and was amended from time to time.

The long title of the Act describes it as “An Act to provide for the acquisition and termination of Indian citizenship.”

The most recent amendments were made to the Act vide the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA,2019 or simply CAA), w.e.f. 10-1-2020.

Though CAA came into force with effect 10-1-2020, the Rules to implement the amendments made by CAA have been noti ed only recently vide Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024 (CAA Rules). The CAA Rules were noti ed vide Noti cation GSR 172(E), dated 11-03-2024, and have come into effect from 11-3-2024.

Interpretation

2. (1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,— (a) “a Government in India” means the Central Government or a State Government.

1[(b) “illegal migrant” means a foreigner who has entered into India— (i) without a valid passport or other travel documents and such other document or authority as may be prescribed by or under any law in that behalf; or

*Dated 30-12-1955.

1. Substituted for clauses (b) and (c) and the proviso to clause (c) by the Citizenship (Amdt.) Act, 2003, w.e.f. 3-12-2004.

(ii) with a valid passport or other travel documents and such other document or authority as may be prescribed by or under any law in that behalf but remains therein beyond the permitted period of time:]

2[Provided that any person belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi or Christian community from Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Pakistan, who entered into India on or before the 31st day of December, 2014 and who has been exempted by the Central Government by or under clause (c) of sub-section (2) of section 3 of the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920 (34 of 1920) or from the application of the provisions of the Foreigners Act, 1946 (31 of 1946) or any rule or order made thereunder, shall not be treated as illegal migrant for the purposes of this Act;]

(d) “Indian consulate” means the of ce of any consular of cer of the Government of India where a register of births is kept, or where there is no such of ce, such of ce as may be prescribed;

(e) “minor” means a person who has not attained the age of eighteen years;

3[(ee) “overseas citizen of India cardholder” means a person registered as an Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder by the Central Government under section 7A;]

(

f) “person” does not include any company or association or body of individuals, whether incorporated or not;

(g) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act;

(gg) 4[***]

(h) “undivided India” means India as de ned in the Government of India Act, 1935, as originally enacted.

2. Inserted by the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, w.r.e.f. 10-1-2020.

3. Substituted by the Citizenship (Amdt.) Act, 2015, w.e.f. 6-1-2015. Prior to its substitution, clause (ee), as substituted by the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2005, w.r.e.f. 28-6-2005 and inserted by the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2003, w.e.f. 3-12-2004, read as under:

‘(ee) “overseas citizen of India” means a person who— (i) is of Indian origin being a citizen of a speci ed country, or (ii) was a citizen of India immediately before becoming a citizen of a speci ed country, and is registered as an overseas citizen of India by the Central Government under sub-section (1) of section 7A;’

4. Omitted by the Citizenship (Amdt.) Act, 2005, w.r.e.f. 28-6-2005. Prior to its omission, clause (gg), as inserted by the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2003, w.e.f. 3-12-2004, read as under:

‘(gg) “speci ed country” means a country speci ed in the Fourth Schedule:

Provided that the Central Government may, by noti cation in the Of cial Gazette, amend the said Schedule by way of addition or omission of any entry therein:

Provided further that every noti cation issued under this clause shall, as soon as may be, after it is made, be laid before each House of Parliament;’.

(2) For the purposes of this Act, a person born aboard a registered ship or aircraft, or aboard an unregistered ship or aircraft of the government of any country, shall be deemed to have been born in the place in which the ship or aircraft was registered or, as the case may be, in that country.

(3) Any reference in this Act to the status or description of the father of a person at the time of that person’s birth shall, in relation to a person born after the death of his father, be construed as a reference to the status or description of the father at the time of the father’s death; and where that death occurred before, and the birth occurs after, the commencement of this Act, the status or description which would have been applicable to the father had he died after the commencement of this Act shall be deemed to be the status or description applicable to him at the time of his death.

(4) For the purposes of this Act, a person shall be deemed to be of full age if he is not a minor and of full capacity if he is not of unsound mind.

SECTION ANALYSIS

2.0 Interpretation

Section 2 of the Act deals with the interpretation of various words and expressions used in the Act .

There are 4 sub-sections in section 2.

Sub-section (1) gives de nitions of the expressions “a Government in India”, “illegal migrant”, “Indian consulate”, “minor”, “overseas citizen of India cardholder”, “prescribed” and “undivided India”. These de nitions in sub-section (1) are prefaced by the words “In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires”. Every de nition in sub-section (1) is subject to these prefatory words. Therefore, if the context of any provision in the Act so requires, a meaning different from that assigned to it in sub-section (1) to be adopted for any word or expression for the purposes of such provision of the Act.

The interpretations given in sub-sections (2) to (4) are not quali ed by the opening prefatory words as given in sub-section (1).

2.1 “A government in India” [Section 2(1)(a)]

“a Government in India” means the Central Government or a State Government.

2.2 Illegal migrant [Section 2(1)(b)]

“illegal migrant” means a foreigner who has entered into India: without a valid passport or other travel documents and such other document or authority as may be prescribed by or under any law in that behalf; or with a valid passport or other travel documents and such other document or authority as may be prescribed by or under any law in that behalf but remains therein beyond the permitted period of time.

Any person belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi or Christian community from Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Pakistan, who entered into India on or before the 31st day of December, 2014 and who has been exempted by the Central Government

by or under clause (c) of sub-section (2) of section 3 of the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920 or from the application of the provisions of the Foreigners Act, 1946 or any rule or order made thereunder, shall not be treated as illegal migrant; [Proviso to section 2(1)(b) added by CAA]

Thus, the term “illegal migrant” covers foreigners who enter into India without valid travel documents such as passport and visa. It also covers foreigners who enter India with valid travel documents but overstay in India, i.e. continue staying in India even after visa has expired.

However, the 6 minority communities who have migrated from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan into India upto 31.12.2014, on account of religious persecution, shall not be treated as illegal migrants even if they entered India without passport and/or visa or they have stayed on in India after their passport/ visa have since expired. The three neighbouring countries Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan are those where the Constitution provides for a speci c State religion and the 6 minorities face persecution and discrimination for following a religion other than the State religion. [See FAQ No. 7 issued by Government of India given]

2.3 Indian consulate [Section 2(1)(d)]

“Indian consulate” means the of ce of any consular of cer of the Government of India where a register of births is kept, or where there is no such of ce, such of ce as may be prescribed

2.4 Minor [Section 2(1)(e)]

“Minor” means a person who has not attained the age of eighteen years.

This de nition of “minor” is to be read with section 2(4) which provides that “For the purposes of this Act, a person shall be deemed to be of full age if he is not a minor…”

2.5 Overseas citizen of India cardholder [Section 2(1)(ee)]

“ overseas citizen of India cardholder” means a person registered as an Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder by the Central Government under section 7A.

2.6 Person [Section 2(1)(f)]

“Person” does not include any company or association or body of individuals, whether incorporated or not.

The above de nition of “person” makes it clear that citizenship can be granted only to individuals or natural persons and not to arti cial persons

2.7 Prescribed [Section 2(1)(g)]

“Prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act.

2.8 Undivided India [Section 2(1)(h)]

“Undivided India” means India as de ned in the Government of India Act, 1935, as originally enacted

2.9 Country of birth in case of a person born aboard a ship or an aircraft [Section 2(2)]

2.9-1 Person born aboard a ship or aircraft

For the purposes of this Act, a person born aboard a registered ship or aircraft, or aboard an unregistered ship or aircraft of the government of any country shall be deemed to have been born in the place in which the ship or aircraft was registered or, as the case may be, in that country.

CITIZENSHIP ACT 1955 & CITIZENSHIP

RULES 2009 – BARE ACT WITH SECTION ANALYSIS

AUTHOR : Taxmann's Editorial Board

PUBLISHER : Taxmann

DATE OF PUBLICATION : December 2025

EDITION : 2026 Edition

ISBN NO : 9789371260466

NO. OF PAGES : 164

BINDING TYPE : Paperback

Rs. 175

DESCRIPTION

Citizenship Act 1955 & Citizenship Rules 2009 [Bare Act with Section Analysis] by Taxmann is a concise, practice-oriented statutory reference on India's citizenship law. This Edition presents the complete, updated text of the Act and Rules, incorporating all amendments, notiﬁcations, and subordinate legislation, including the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019 and the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules 2024. It is distinguished by crisp, section-wise analytical notes that explain legislative intent, scope, procedure, and practical implications, enabling a clear understanding of the acquisition, determination, termination, and regulation of Indian citizenship. This book is intended for the following audience:

• Legal Practitioners & Constitutional Lawyers

• Judicial Oﬃcers & Quasi-Judicial Authorities

• Government Oﬃcials & Administrators

• Policy Analysts & Researchers

• Law Students & Academicians

The Present Publication is the 2026 Edition, covering the amended and updated text of the Citizenship Act [Act No. 57 of 1955] and Rules, with the following noteworthy features:

• [Complete Statutory Text] Full text of the Citizenship Act 1955 and Citizenship Rules 2009 with all amendments

• [Pre-amendment Footnotes] Earlier versions of amended provisions to understand the pre-amendment legal position

• [Section-wise Analysis] Concise notes explaining intent, scope, and operational impact of each provision

• [CAA Framework] Detailed coverage of Section 6B and rules notiﬁed under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019

• [Assam-speciﬁc Provisions] Section 6A and related rules under the Assam Accord framework

• [Overseas Citizenship of India] OCI registration, rights, renunciation, and cancellation

• [Procedural & Administrative Law] Authorities, applications, review, revision, and appellate mechanisms

• [Forms, Schedules & Fees] All prescribed statutory forms, registers, schedules, and fee tables

• [Allied Rules] Inclusion of the Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules 2003

• [Easy Navigation] Clear headings, logical arrangement, and user-friendly layout