Citizenship MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Citizenship - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is Overseas Citizen of India.

Key Points

• The term Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) refers to a category of citizenship introduced by the Government of India for foreign nationals of Indian origin.
• OCI holders are eligible for a lifelong visa to visit India multiple times without requiring special permissions.
• The scheme was first introduced in 2005 under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act to address the needs of the Indian diaspora.
• OCI cardholders enjoy several rights such as exemption from registration with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) for any length of stay in India.
• However, OCI cardholders are not considered Indian citizens and do not have voting rights, employment in government positions, or access to agricultural property.

Additional Information

• OCI Card Eligibility:
  • Foreign nationals who were eligible to become Indian citizens on January 26, 1950, or belonged to a territory that became part of India after August 15, 1947, can apply.
  • Children and grandchildren of such persons are also eligible, excluding those whose parents/grandparents hold citizenship of Pakistan or Bangladesh.
• OCI Benefits:
  • OCI cardholders can access certain economic, financial, and educational privileges within India.
  • They can work in private-sector jobs and access healthcare and educational facilities at par with Indian residents.
• Restrictions for OCI Cardholders:
  • OCI cardholders cannot vote in Indian elections, hold public offices, or buy agricultural land.
  • They are not allowed to work in government positions, including defense services.
• OCI vs PIO:
  • OCI replaced the Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card scheme in 2015 to simplify diaspora benefits.
  • Existing PIO cardholders were automatically converted to OCI cardholders.

The correct answer is They lose their Indian citizenship.

Key Points

• Indian citizenship can be renounced voluntarily under the provisions of the Citizenship Act, 1955.
• Upon renouncing citizenship, the individual ceases to be an Indian citizen and forfeits all rights and privileges associated with Indian nationality.
• A declaration of renunciation must be made in the prescribed form and submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• The individual may acquire citizenship of another country, but dual citizenship is not permitted under Indian law.
• Renunciation of citizenship does not absolve individuals of any prior liabilities or responsibilities as an Indian citizen.

Additional Information

• Citizenship Act, 1955:
  • The Citizenship Act, 1955 governs the acquisition, termination, and determination of Indian citizenship.
  • It provides for citizenship by birth, descent, registration, naturalization, and incorporation of territory.
  • Section 8 of the Act deals with voluntary renunciation of citizenship.
• Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI):
  • Although India does not permit dual citizenship, it offers an OCI card for individuals of Indian origin.
  • The OCI card provides certain rights, such as visa-free travel to India and access to specific rights, but it does not confer full citizenship.
• Dual Citizenship:
  • India does not allow dual citizenship under its laws.
  • Individuals renouncing Indian citizenship may acquire citizenship of another country, but they cannot simultaneously retain Indian citizenship.
• Consequences of Renouncing Citizenship:
  • The individual loses voting rights, eligibility for public office, and access to Indian government schemes.
  • They may also face restrictions on property ownership and legal rights in India.

The correct answer is Their Indian citizenship ends automatically.

Key Points

• As per the Indian Citizenship Act, 1955, Indian citizenship is automatically terminated when an Indian citizen voluntarily acquires the citizenship of another country.
• India follows the principle of single citizenship, meaning that dual citizenship is not allowed under Indian law.
• An individual acquiring foreign citizenship must surrender their Indian passport as it becomes invalid after acquiring foreign nationality.
• The government of India issues an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card to eligible individuals of Indian origin, which provides certain privileges but is not equivalent to dual citizenship.
• Section 9(1) of the Indian Citizenship Act explicitly states that Indian citizenship ceases automatically upon acquiring foreign citizenship voluntarily.

Additional Information

• Indian Citizenship Act, 1955
  • This act governs the acquisition, termination, and supplementary provisions of Indian citizenship.
  • It provides five modes of acquiring citizenship: by birth, descent, registration, naturalization, and incorporation of territory.
  • It also lays down the grounds for the termination and deprivation of citizenship under specific conditions.
• Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card
  • The OCI card is issued to foreign nationals of Indian origin, allowing them to visit, live, or work in India indefinitely.
  • It is not equivalent to Indian citizenship, and OCI cardholders cannot vote, hold government office, or purchase agricultural land in India.
  • The scheme was introduced in 2005 to strengthen the bond between India and its diaspora.
• Dual Citizenship
  • Dual citizenship refers to a situation where an individual is a legal citizen of two countries simultaneously.
  • India does not allow dual citizenship; instead, it provides the OCI card as an alternative for individuals of Indian origin.
• Surrender Certificate
  • Indian citizens who acquire foreign nationality must obtain a surrender certificate for their Indian passport.
  • This certificate is required for availing of consular services and applying for an OCI card.

The correct answer is Public Opinion.

Key Points

• Public Opinion is a collective expression of the views, beliefs, and attitudes of citizens on matters of public interest.
• It plays a vital role in ensuring accountability and transparency in administration.
• Public opinion can shape policy decisions and influence government actions.
• It acts as a check on the misuse of administrative power and promotes democratic governance.

Additional Information

• Election: Elections are a process through which citizens choose their representatives to govern and make decisions on their behalf. However, elections occur periodically and may not provide continuous control over administration.
• Pressure Groups: Pressure groups are organized groups of people that seek to influence government policies without seeking to hold political power. While they can be effective in certain cases, their scope is usually limited to specific issues or interests.
• Advisory Committee: Advisory committees are bodies set up to provide expert advice to governments or organizations. They play an important role in decision-making but do not represent direct citizen control over administration.
• Public Opinion: Unlike the other options, public opinion reflects the collective will of the people and directly influences administrative actions. It is often gauged through media, surveys, petitions, and protests.

The correct answer is 182 days.

Key Points

• An individual is considered a resident in India if he/she resides in India for a period of 182 days or more during the relevant financial year.
• This is in accordance with the Income Tax Act, 1961, which defines residency status for tax purposes.
• The provision ensures that individuals who spend a significant portion of the year in India are subject to Indian tax laws.
• In addition to the 182-day rule, an individual can also qualify as a resident if they were in India for at least 60 days in the financial year and 365 days in the preceding four years.
• Individuals not meeting these criteria are classified as Non-Resident Indians (NRIs).

Additional Information

• Resident and Ordinarily Resident (ROR): An individual qualifies as ROR if they satisfy both the 182-day rule and additional conditions related to long-term presence in India.
• Non-Resident Indian (NRI): An individual who does not meet the residency criteria is classified as an NRI and is taxed only on income earned or accrued in India.
• Resident but Not Ordinarily Resident (RNOR): Individuals who qualify as residents but do not satisfy the conditions for ROR fall into this category, with limited tax obligations in India.
• Purpose of Residency Rules: These rules are designed to determine the tax liability of individuals based on their connection to India during a financial year.
• Global Income: Residents (ROR) are taxed on their worldwide income, while NRIs and RNORs are taxed only on income sourced within India.

The correct answer is Part II.

Key Points

• Citizenship is listed in the Union List under the Constitution and thus is under the exclusive jurisdiction of Parliament.
• The Constitution does not define the term ‘citizen’ but details of various categories of persons who are entitled to citizenship are given in Part 2 (Articles 5 to 11).
• Unlike other provisions of the Constitution, which came into being on January 26, 1950, these articles were enforced on November 26, 1949, itself, when the Constitution was adopted.
• ​Hence option 2 is correct.

Additional Information

• Acquisition and Determination of Indian Citizenship
• There are five ways in which I ndian citizenship can be acquired: birth, descent, registration, naturalization and incorporation of Territory.
• The provisions are listed under the Citize nship Act, 1955.
  1. By Birth
  2. By Descent
  3. By Registration
  4. By Naturalisation
  5. By Incorporation of Territory
  6. Special Provisions as to Citizenship of Persons Covered by the Assam Accord

The correct answer is 1 only

Key Points

• A person cannot have more than one domicile. 
  • ​The Constitution of India does not allow holding Indian citizenship and citizenship of a foreign country simultaneously. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
• In India, both a citizen by birth as well as a naturalized citizen is eligible for the office of President.
  •  While in the USA, only a citizen by birth and not a naturalized citizen is eligible for the office of President. Hence, Statement 2 is not correct.
• The Citizenship Act, 1955:
  • It prescribes three ways of losing citizenship whether acquired under the Act or before it under the Constitution, viz, renunciation, termination, and deprivation. Hence, Statement 3 is not correct.

Additional Information

• Citizenship in India :
  • The Citizenship Act offers other categories of citizenship like Citizenship by Registration (Section 5) and Citizenship by Naturalisation (Section 6).
  • Citizenship is listed in the Union List under the Constitution and thus is under the exclusive jurisdiction of Parliament.
  • The Constitution does not define the term ‘citizen’ but details of various categories of persons who are entitled to citizenship are given in Part 2 (Articles 5 to 11).
  • Article 11: It empowers Parliament to make any provision concerning the acquisition and termination of citizenship and all matters relating to it.
  • There are four ways in which Indian citizenship can be acquired: birth, descent, registration, and naturalization. The provisions are listed under the Citizenship Act, 1955.
  • The Act does not provide for dual citizenship or dual nationality. It only allows citizenship for a person listed under the provisions above ie: by birth, descent, registration, or naturalization.

The correct answer is 7 Yrs.Key Points

• The Constitution deals with citizenship from Articles 5 to 11 under Part II.
• It empowers the Parliament to enact a law to provide for such matters and any other matter relating to citizenship.
• Accordingly, the Parliament has enacted the Citizenship Act, 1955, which has been amended in 1957, 1960, 1985, 1986, 1992, 2003, 2005, and 2015.
• The Indian constitution provides only for single citizenship, unlike the US.
• Indian citizenship can be acquired by birth, descent, registration, and naturalization. 

Loss of Citizenship:

• By Renunciation
• By Termination
• By Deprivation
  • ​The citizenship of a person is lost if he has been living outside India for 7 years continuously.

The correct answer is All of the above.

Key Points

• The Citizenship Act, 1955 lays down the three ways by which an Indian citizen, whether a citizen at the commencement of the Constitution or after it, may lose his citizenship.
• These are:
  • Renunciation
  • Termination
  • Deprivation.

Renunciation

• It is a voluntary act by which a person after acquiring the citizenship of another country gives up his Indian citizenship.
• Though the Indian Constitution is federal and envisages a dual polity (Union and State), it only provides for a Single Citizenship.

Termination

• It takes place by operation of law.
• When an Indian citizen voluntarily acquires the citizenship of another country, he automatically ceases to be an Indian citizen. (Single Citizenship)

Deprivation

• It is a compulsory termination of the citizenship of India obtained by Registration or Naturalization.
• The citizenship is deprived based on an order of the Government of India, in cases involving the acquisition of Indian citizenship by fraud, false representation, and concealment of a material fact or being disloyal to the Constitution, etc.

Important Points

Acquisition of Indian Citizenship:

1. Citizenship by Birth
2. Citizenship by Descent
3. Citizenship by Registration
4. Citizenship by Naturalization
5. Citizenship by the incorporation of Territory

The correct answer is 2005.

Key Points

• The Overseas Citizenship of India is an immigration status permitting a foreign citizen of Indian origin to live and work in the Republic of India indefinitely.
• The Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) Scheme was introduced by amending the Citizenship Act, 1955 in August 2005.
• The Constitution of India precludes Indian citizens from getting dual citizenship. As such, according to Indian law, the OCI is not true Indian citizenship because it has other limitations, such as no freedom to vote, no right to hold constitutional offices, and no opportunity to purchase agricultural land.
• Article 5 to Article 11 of the Indian Constitution deals with Citizenship.

Additional Information

• Citizenship Act, 1955:
  • ​Provides for acquisition and loss of Indian Citizenship after the commencement of the Constitution.
  • This act is amended so far 6 times by the following acts:
    • Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 1986
    • Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 1992
    • Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2003
    • Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2005
    • Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2015
    • Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019

The correct answer is Article 5 to 11.

Key Points

• Citizenship is listed in the Union List under the Constitution. The Constitution does not define the term ‘citizen’ but details of various categories of persons who are entitled to citizenship are given in Part 2 (Articles 5 to 11).

Important Points

• Article 5: Citizenship at the commencement of the Constitution At the commencement of this Constitution every person who has his domicile in the territory of India.
• Article 6: It provided rights of citizenship of certain persons who have migrated to India from Pakistan.
• Article 7: Provided Rights of citizenship of certain migrants to Pakistan.
• Article 8: Provided Rights of citizenship of certain persons of Indian origin residing outside India.
• Article 9: Provided that if any person voluntarily acquired the citizenship of a foreign State will no longer be a citizen of India.
• Article 10: It says that every person who is or is deemed to be a citizen of India under any of the foregoing provisions of this Part shall, subject to the provisions of any law that may be made by Parliament, continue to be such citizen.
• Article 11: It empowers Parliament to make any provision with respect to the acquisition and termination of citizenship and all matters relating to it.

The correct answer is England.

Key Points 

• In India, the concept of single citizenship is adopted from England.
  • In India, the concept of single citizenship is adopted from the British constitution that is from England.
  • The Constitution of India provides for single citizenship for the whole of India.
  • The Citizenship Act, 1955 deals with matters relating to acquisition, determination and termination of Indian citizenship after the commencement of the Constitution.
• The Constitution of India is the supreme law of India.
• The document lays down the framework that demarcates the fundamental political code, structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions and sets out fundamental rights, directive principles, and the duties of citizens.
• Hence, option 1 is correct. 

Additional Information 

• Indian Constitution makes arrangement for federal Structure the existence of Center and States.
• But it provides for Single Citizenship which means all citizens irrespective of the state in which they born enjoy single citizenship of India, unlike the USA where there is dual citizenship.
• According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, there are five ways in which Indian citizenship can be acquired :
  • birth, descent, registration and naturalisation or inclusion of territory.
• The provisions are listed under sections 3, 4, 5(1) and 5(4) of the Citizenship Act, 1955.

The correct answer is An OCI is at par with NRIs in all matters.

• Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) refers all the Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) who were citizens of India on 26^th January 1950 or thereafter or were eligible to become citizens of India on 26th January 1950 except who is or had been a citizen of Pakistan, Bangladesh or such other country as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify.
• A registered Overseas Citizen of India enjoys the following benefits:
  • he/she is granted multiple entries, multi-purpose, life-long visa for visiting India,
  • he/she is exempted from registration with Foreign Regional Registration Officer or Foreign Registration Officer for any length of stay in India, and
  • is entitled to general 'parity with Non-Resident Indians in respect of all facilities available to them in economic, financial and educational fields except in matters relating to the acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties'.
  • However, OCI is not at par with NRIs in all the matters.

• NRI means Non-Resident Indian. NRI is a residential status given to a citizen of India with an Indian Passport who resides in a foreign country for the purpose of work/business, or education.
• The eligibility criteria for NRI status is that the person should be an Indian citizen with a valid Indian Passport and should reside outside of India for at least 183 days or more in a financial year (April 1st – March 31st).
• Until the year 2010, NRIs were not allowed to vote in the elections.
• However, post-2010 an amendment permitted NRIs to vote at their particular constituency in India but the voting required the direct presence of the NRI in India at the particular polling booth where the name was registered.

The correct answer is Five.

Key Points

Indian citizenship can be acquired in five ways, they are:

• Citizenship by Birth
• Citizenship by Descent
• Citizenship by Registration
• Citizenship by Naturalisation
• Citizenship by incorporation of Territory

Additional Information

• Part II of the Constitution of India (Articles 5 - 11) deals with the Citizenship of India. 
• Article 5: Citizenship at the commencement of the Constitution
• Article 6: Rights of citizenship of certain persons who have migrated to India from Pakistan.
• Article 7: Rights of citizenship of certain migrants to Pakistan.
• Article 8: Rights of citizenship of certain persons of Indian origin residing outside India
• Article 9: Persons voluntarily acquiring citizenship of a foreign State not to be citizens.
• Article 10: Continuance of the rights of citizenship
• Article 11: Parliament to regulate the right of citizenship by law

The correct answer is Selection

Key Points

• The provisions governing citizenship of India are enshrined in the Citizenship Act, 1955.
• The Constitution of India in Articles 5 to 11, only talks about who was a citizen till 26 January 1950.
• Provisions of Citizenship Act, 1955 Citizens have privileges as well as liabilities over non-citizens in a particular territory.
• 5 ways of acquiring Indian citizenship are:
  • By Birth
  • By Acquisition or Incorporation of Territory
  • By Descent
  • By Registration
  • By Naturalization​

Important Points

• By Naturalization:
  • ​Citizenship is acquired by making an application to the central government.
  • For granting citizenship to a person, the criteria of the third schedule of this act must be satisfied.
  • The person to whom the citizenship certificate is to be granted must be of good character, must have knowledge of any language given in the eighth schedule of the Indian Constitution, must not be an illegal migrant, and must have renounced the previous citizenship.
  • The person must have resided (lived) in India for 11 years in the previous 14 years and one year immediately before the time of making the application.
  • Note: After the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019, the number of years from eleven has been decreased to five years and one year immediately before making the application.
  • This makes a total of 6 years.
  • If the person has made a significant contribution or rendered service to the fields like science, arts, literature, human progress, the government may waive off the conditions given in the third schedule of this act.
• Thus we can say the basis of acquiring Citizenship through Naturalization is by selection not by birth.

Additional Information

• By Birth:

• A person shall not be such a citizen by virtue of this section if at the time of his birth.
  • If a person is born in the territory of India, he shall be a citizen of India.
  •  A person born on or after 26 January 1950 but before 1 July 1987, irrespective of the citizenship of parents.
  • It is called jus soli (right of soil).
  • A person born on or after 1 July 1987 but before 3 December 2004.
  • Either of the parents of the person born should be a citizen of India at the time of birth.
  • It is called jus sanguins (right of blood or descent). Citizenship is granted to a person on the basis of the Indian nationality of any of the parents, immaterial of the fact that at which place the child took birth.
  • A person born on or after 3 December 2004.
  • Both the parents of the child born should be a citizen of India at the time of birth.
  • A person shall not acquire citizenship of India if any of his parents is an envoy (foreign diplomat) or enemy alien or illegal immigrant.
  • Note: Illegal immigrant is defined in the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2016, as any person who enters the territory of India without a valid passport, fake passport, or stays beyond a Visa permit.