3.4. Citizenship by Naturalization (Section 6)

Citizenship of India by naturalization can be acquired by a foreigner (not illegal migrant) who is ordinarily resident in India for TWELVE YEARS (throughout the period of twelve months immediately preceding the date of application and for ELEVEN YEARS in the aggregate in the FOURTEEN YEARS preceding the twelve months) and other qualifications as specified in Third Schedule to the Act, such as-

♤ He should not be subject or citizen of any country where citizens of India are prevented from becoming subjects or citizens of that country by naturalization.

♤ If he is a citizen of any country, he undertakes to renounce the citizenship of that country

in the event of his application for Indian citizenship being accepted.

♤ He is of good character.

♤ He has an adequate knowledge of a language specified in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution.

♤ He intends to reside in India, or to enter into or continue in, service under a Government in India or under an international organization of which India is a member.

The Government of India, may waive all or any of the above conditions for naturalization, if in its opinion, the person has rendered distinguished services to the cause of science, philosophy, art, literature, world peace or human progress generally. Recently, the period of residence to acquire citizenship under this section was reduced for some special cases under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019 (taken up in detail later in this chapter).

All such persons who acquire citizenship by naturalization, shall take an oath of allegiance to the Constitution of India.