Citizenship

Citizenship:

The Citizenship Act (1955) provides for acquisition and loss of citizenship after the commencement of the Constitution. This Act has been amended in 1986, 1992, 2003, 2005. The Citizenship Act of 1955 prescribes five ways of acquiring citizenship, viz, birth, descent, registration, naturalisation and incorporation of territory:

By Birth:

A person born in India on or after 26th January 1950 but before 1st July 1987 is a citizen of India by birth irrespective of the nationality of his parents. A person born in India on or after 14 July 1987 is considered as a citizen of India only if either of his parents is a citizen of India at the time of his birth. Further, those born in India on or after 3rd December 2004 are considered citizens of India only if both of their parents are citizens of India or one of whose parents is a citizen of India and the other is not an illegal migrant at the time of their birth.

By Descent :

A person born outside India on or after 26th January 1950 but before 10th December 1992 is a citizen of India by descent, if his father was a citizen of India at the time of his birth. A person born outside India on or after 10th December 1992 is considered as a citizen of India if either of his parents is a citizen of India at the time of his birth. From 3rd December 2004 onwards, a person born outside India shall not be a citizen of India by descent, unless his birth is registered at an Indian consulate within one year of the date of birth or with the permission of the Central Government

By Registration:

-A person of Indian origin who is ordinarily resident in India for seven years before making an application for registration
-A person of Indian origin who is ordinarily resident in any country or place outside undivided India
-A person who is married to a citizen of India and is ordinarily resident in India for seven years before making an application for registration;
-Minor children of persons who are citizens of India;
-Person of full age and capacity whose parents are registered as citizens of India
-A person of full age and capacity who, or either of his parents, was earlier citizen of independent India, and has been residing in India for one year immediately before making an application for registration
-A person of full age and capacity who has been registered as an overseas citizen of India for five years, and who has been residing in India for one year before making an application for registration. An applicant shall be deemed to be ordinarily resident in India if-
(a) he has resided in India throughout the period of twelve months immediately before making an application for registration; and
(b) he has resided in India during the eight years immediately preceding the said period of twelve months for a period of not less than six years.

By Naturalisation:

The Central Government may, on an application, grant a certificate of naturalisation to any person (not being an illegal migrant)

By Incorporation of Territory:

If any foreign territory becomes a part of India, the Government of India specifies the persons who among the people of the territory shall be the citizens of India. Such persons become the citizens of India from the notified date.

For more detail visit:
http://indiancitizenshiponline.nic.in/acquisition1.htm

and

http://indiancitizenshiponline.nic.in/citizenshipact1.htm