Indian nationality law

The Citizenship Act, 1955
Parliament of India
Long title An Act to provide for acquisition and determination of Indian citizenship.
Citation	Act No 57 of 1955
Territorial extent	India
Enacted by	Parliament of India
Enacted	30 December 1955
Commenced	30 December 1955
Related legislation
The Foreigners Act, 1946 Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2003 Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019
Status: Amended

India has two primary pieces of legislation governing nationality requirements, the Constitution of India and the Citizenship Act, 1955.

All persons born in India between 26 January 1950 and 1 July 1987 automatically received citizenship by birth regardless of the nationalities of their parents. Between 1 July 1987 and 3 December 2004, citizenship by birth was granted if at least one parent was a citizen. Individuals born in the country since then receive Indian citizenship at birth only if both parents are Indian citizens, or if one parent is a citizen and the other is not considered an illegal migrant.

Foreigners may become Indian citizens by naturalisation after residing in the country for at least 12 years and renouncing any previous nationalities. Members of certain religious minority communities from neighbouring countries qualify for a reduced residence requirement of six years. Indian citizens who permanently settle in Pakistan or Bangladesh, or voluntarily acquire foreign citizenship automatically lose Indian citizenship. Former Indian citizens (excluding émigrés to Pakistan and Bangladesh) and descendants of citizens may register for overseas citizenship, which grants an entitlement to live and work in the country.

India was previously ruled by the British Empire and local residents were British subjects and British protected persons. Although India gained independence in 1947 and Indians no longer hold British nationality, they remain Commonwealth citizens under British law. When residing in the United Kingdom, Indians are eligible to vote in UK elections and serve in public office there. Indian citizens are also entitled to free movement rights in Nepal through bilateral agreement.