Articles related to Citizenship

Articles 5 to 11 under Part-II of Indian Constitution describe who became citizen of India on the day of commencement of Constitution of India. The articles are as follows:

  • 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.

Rights Available Only To Citizens Of India

The Constitution confers following rights and privileges on citizens of India and denies the same to aliens:

  • Right against discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.
  • Right to equality of opportunity in the matter of public employment.
  • Right to freedom of speech and expression, assembly, association, movement, residence and profession.
  • Cultural and educational rights.
  • Right to vote in elections to Lok Sabha and state legislative assembly.
  • Right to contest for the membership of the Parliament and the state legislature.
  • Eligibility to hold certain offices i.e. President of India, Vice-President of India, Judges of Supreme Court and high courts, Governor of states, Attorney General of India and Advocate General of states.

Related Content