Context The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has simplified the process for Indians who want to renounce their citizenship.
Provisions have been made for applicants to upload documents online, with an upper limit of 60 days for the renunciation process to be completed.
About Citizenship
In India, Articles 5 – 11 of the Constitution deals with the concept of citizenship. The term citizenship entails the enjoyment of full membership of any State in which a citizen has civil and political rights.
Termination of citizenship is possible in three ways according to the Citizenship Act, 1955.
Renunciation: If any citizen of India who is also a national of another country renounces his Indian citizenship through a declaration in the prescribed manner, he ceases to be an Indian citizen.
Termination: Indian citizenship can be terminated if a citizen knowingly or voluntarily adopts the citizenship of any foreign country.
Deprivation: The government of India can deprive a person of his citizenship in some cases. It is applicable only in the case of citizens who have acquired the citizenship by registration, naturalization, or only by Article 5 (c)