Citizenship — MCQs

All questions with answers and explanations

Read the full set here, or use the practice card above to test yourself one question at a time.

1. Under Article 5, a person who has been ordinarily resident in India for how many years immediately before the Constitution's commencement could become a citizen?

   • 3 years
   • 5 years (correct answer)
   • 7 years
   • 10 years

   Explanation. Article 5(c) required not less than five years' ordinary residence in India immediately preceding the Constitution's commencement.

2. A person who migrated from Pakistan to India on or after 19 July 1948 needed to:

   • Do nothing further, citizenship was automatic
   • Get registered as a citizen after being resident for at least six months (correct answer)
   • Wait 10 years before applying
   • Obtain a special Presidential order

   Explanation. Migrants after 19 July 1948 needed to be registered as citizens, having been resident for at least six months immediately before the application.

3. Does the Constitution of India permit dual citizenship?

   • Yes, without restriction
   • No — voluntarily acquiring a foreign citizenship ends Indian citizenship under Article 9 (correct answer)
   • Only for persons of Indian origin
   • Only during an Emergency

   Explanation. Article 9 says that a person who has voluntarily acquired the citizenship of a foreign State is not a citizen under Articles 5, 6 or 8. Section 9 of the Citizenship Act, 1955 terminates Indian citizenship on such acquisition.

4. In Kulathil Mammu v. State of Kerala (1966), the Supreme Court held that "migrated" under Article 7 means:

   • An intention to permanently settle must be proved
   • Going from one place to another, whether or not with the intention of residing there (correct answer)
   • Only movement after 1950 counts
   • Migration only applies to adults, not children

   Explanation. The Court held that "migrated" in Articles 6 and 7 has a wide meaning: going or coming from one place to another, whether or not with the intention of residing there. Intention to settle is not part of the test.

5. Which Article gives Parliament the power to make laws regulating citizenship after the Constitution's commencement?

   • Article 9
   • Article 10
   • Article 11 (correct answer)
   • Article 12

   Explanation. Article 11 is the source of Parliament's power to make the Citizenship Act, 1955.

6. According to Louis De Raedt v. Union of India (1991), which Fundamental Right is available even to foreigners?

   • Article 19
   • Article 21 (correct answer)
   • Article 29
   • Article 30

   Explanation. Article 21's protection of life and personal liberty extends to every person, including foreigners, though foreigners have no fundamental right to reside in India.

7. Under Section 9 of the Citizenship Act, 1955, a citizen of India who voluntarily acquires the citizenship of another country:

   • Keeps both citizenships
   • Ceases to be an Indian citizen (correct answer)
   • Is deprived only by court order
   • Becomes an OCI automatically

   Explanation. Section 9 provides for termination of Indian citizenship on voluntary acquisition of foreign citizenship, carrying forward the policy of Article 9.

8. Which of the following is NOT a mode of acquiring Indian citizenship under the Citizenship Act, 1955?

   • Birth
   • Descent
   • Naturalisation
   • Inheritance (correct answer)

   Explanation. The modes are birth, descent, registration, naturalisation and incorporation of territory.