Question 18 from UPSC CSE 2021 - Polity & Governance

Question

With reference to India, consider the following statements:
1. There is only one citizenship and one domicile.
2. A citizen by birth only can become the Head of State.
3. A foreigner once granted citizenship cannot be deprived of it under any circumstances.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. 1 only

Strategy: - Identify the critical terms: 'single citizenship' and 'domicile'.
- Evaluate statement 1 against constitutional provisions on single citizenship.
- Rule out statement 2 by recalling that both naturalized and birth citizens are eligible for the Presidency.
- Eliminate statement 3 by remembering the law allows for deprivation of citizenship.

Key Info: **Single Citizenship and Domicile**
India follows the principle of single citizenship, as outlined in Articles 5–11 of the Constitution and detailed in the Citizenship Act, 1955. Unlike federal systems that allow dual state-national citizenship (e.g., the USA), India provides only Indian citizenship, irrespective of state. Domicile is a legal concept referring to a person's permanent residence; a citizen can have only one domicile at a time for legal purposes.

**Presidential Eligibility**
The President of India can be any Indian citizen over 35 years of age and qualified for election as a Lok Sabha member, as per Articles 58 and 59. The law does not restrict eligibility to citizens by birth; naturalized citizens are also eligible.

**Loss of Citizenship**
Loss of citizenship can occur through renunciation, termination, or deprivation. Deprivation, under Section 10 of the Citizenship Act, 1955, may occur if citizenship was obtained by fraud, or if the person:
- Demonstrates disloyalty to the state.
- Engages in prohibited communication with enemy countries.
- Acquires citizenship of another country.
Citizenship laws are administered by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: 2 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: 1 and 3

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: 2 and 3