With more Indians living, working, and settling abroad, questions around holding multiple citizenships are more relevant than ever. While dual citizenship and multiple passports may sound appealing, where does India stand on this and how flexible are India’s citizenship laws? Here’s all you need to know about this.
Is Dual Citizenship Possible In India?
Well, first and foremost, India does not allow dual citizenship. According to Hindustan Times, under Section 9 of the Citizenship Act, 1955, an Indian citizen who voluntarily acquires citizenship of another country automatically loses Indian citizenship.
While India does not permit dual citizenship, it offers the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) scheme for certain persons of Indian origin who acquire foreign nationality. Introduced under Section 7A of the Citizenship Act, this provision allows them to live and work in India with a lifelong visa and enjoy limited privileges.
However, OCI status is not equivalent to full citizenship. It does not grant political rights such as voting or holding public office, and comes with specific restrictions, including the need for special permission for activities like research, missionary work, or mountaineering.
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Just One Passport!
Basically, the Indian Constitution does not permit holding Indian and foreign citizenship simultaneously. In fact, holding two passports (one Indian and another foreign) is actually illegal. Once you become a citizen of another country, you must surrender your Indian passport, and keeping or using it can lead to penalties.
Under the Passports Act, 1967, authorities can seize a passport if it is found to be in wrongful possession. If someone obtains another passport improperly, it can be revoked. Furthermore, Section 12 also allows penalties for fraud, concealment, or misuse of passports. Holding multiple passports, especially through misrepresentation, can lead to legal action.
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We hope this information was helpful to you.
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Is dual citizenship possible for people with Indian passports?
No, under the Citizenship Act, 1955, India does not allow dual citizenship.