3.3. Citizenship by Registration [Section 5]

Indian Citizenship by registration can be acquired (not for an illegal migrant). For this section, a person shall be deemed to be a Person of Indian origin if he, or either of his parents, was born in undivided India or in such other territory which became part of India after 15th day of August 1947.

To acquire citizenship by registration, a person should fulfil the following conditions-

♤ Persons of Indian origin who are ordinarily resident in India for SEVEN YEARS before making application under this section. (Throughout the period of twelve months immediately before making application and for SIX YEARS in the aggregate in the EIGHT YEARS preceding the twelve months).

♤ Persons of Indian origin who are ordinarily resident in any country or place outside undivided India under this section.

♤ Persons who are married to a citizen of India and who are ordinarily resident in India for SEVEN YEARS before making application under this section.

♤ Minor children whose both parents are Indian citizens under this section.

Further, Persons of full age and capacity can also acquire Indian citizenship under this section, if-

♤ Both their parents are registered as citizens of India.

♤ He or either of the parents were earlier citizen of Independent India and residing in India for ONE YEAR immediately before making application.

♤ He has been registered as an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) for 5 years and residing in India for ONE YEAR before making application.

All the above categories of persons must take an oath of allegiance before they are registered as citizens of India