Citizenship (Articles 5-11)

Story hook

It is 11 December 2019. After 8 hours of impassioned debate in the Rajya Sabha — the Bill having sailed through Lok Sabha 311-80 the day before — the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2019 is passed 125-105. President Ram Nath Kovind signs it on 12 December 2019. Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 becomes law.

The CAA's core provision: non-Muslim migrants (Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, Christian) from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan who entered India on or before 31 December 2014 are eligible for Indian citizenship by naturalisation in 5 years (reduced from 11 years).

The Act triggers nationwide protests — at Shaheen Bagh (Delhi), Park Circus (Kolkata), Bengaluru, Aligarh Muslim University, Jamia Millia Islamia. Critics argue: (1) religious criterion violates secular Article 14 + 15; (2) combined with proposed NRC (National Register of Citizens) would target Muslims who can't prove citizenship.

The Citizenship Amendment Act rules were notified on 11 March 2024 after multiple delays. Supreme Court challenge pending as of 2025 with constitution bench reserved verdict.

For UPSC, citizenship + CAA + NRC are major Mains GS-II + GS-IV topics. Prelims tests constitutional Articles, recent amendments, SC cases.

Why this matters for UPSC

For UPSC:

• Prelims: Articles 5-11 on citizenship, Citizenship Act 1955, amendments (1986, 2003, 2019), CAA rules 2024, NRC Assam, OCI framework.
• Mains GS-II: Constitutionality of CAA, federalism (states refusing NPR), NRC consequences, refugee policy.

This file covers Articles 5-11, Citizenship Act 1955 + amendments, CAA 2019, NRC Assam, OCI vs PIO, recent SC cases.