Junior IAS Academy

Citizenship & Awareness

JUST AN OPPORTUNITY TO UNDERSTAND OUR OWN CITIZENSHIP LAWS! 🇮🇳

Junior IAS Academy
· 5 min read

Academy perspective · Supplied article reproduced in full. Dated editorial notes and official sources are provided separately for context.

The UK's recent proposal to increase the standard permanent residency (ILR) qualifying period from 5 years to 10 years has sparked quite a debate among Indians living there.

But let's look at this from another perspective.

Before debating another country's immigration policies, let's understand what it takes for a foreign national to become an Indian citizen.

Under India's Citizenship Act, 1955, there are five routes to citizenship:

  1. By Birth – Depending on the date of birth and parents' citizenship status.
  2. By Descent – Through an Indian parent when born outside India, subject to applicable conditions.
  3. By Registration – For specific eligible categories, including certain spouses of Indian citizens and persons of Indian origin.
  4. By Naturalisation – For eligible foreign nationals who wish to become Indian citizens.
  5. By Incorporation of Territory – When a territory becomes part of India.

Now, here's what we really need to understand. If a foreigner wants to become an Indian citizen through naturalisation, what are the requirements?

Under the general naturalisation provisions, the applicant must:

  • Have lived in India for 12 months immediately before applying.
  • Have lived in India for at least 11 years in aggregate during the preceding 14 years.
  • Be of good character.
  • Have adequate knowledge of a language listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
  • Intend to reside in India or serve an eligible Indian institution.
  • Fulfil the other conditions prescribed under the Citizenship Act.

There is also a special provision under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA), for eligible migrants belonging to six specified religious communities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan who entered India on or before 31 December 2014. Their qualifying residence requirement for naturalisation is reduced to five years, subject to the applicable conditions.

THE POINT IS SIMPLE.

Every country has its own rules, conditions and eligibility criteria for granting citizenship. We can debate policies, agree or disagree with them, but understanding our own country's laws is equally important.

Instead of just reacting to the news, let's use it as an opportunity to learn.

Knowledge is always an opportunity! 🇮🇳

Official sources · Checked 5 November 2026

Read the detail behind the idea.

General naturalisation
The Third Schedule, clauses (c) and (d), separates the immediate 12 months from the 11 years in aggregate within the 14 years before that 12-month period. Qualifying government service can also count, and specified relaxations exist.
What the CAA’s five years means
The five-year figure replaces the 11-year aggregate condition in clause (d); the separate 12-month condition remains, subject to permitted relaxations. It is not an automatic grant after five years. The six communities are Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian. Other statutory eligibility conditions and territorial exclusions apply.

An educational reflection with a summary of selected legal provisions. Individual eligibility depends on the applicable law, rules and circumstances.

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