US to strip Indian origin CEO Neeraj Sharma of citizenship: What was his fraud?
What is the difference between Indian nationality and citizenship? How can one know if they are an Indian national or a citizen? How is citizenship decided? What documents are required to prove your nationality or Indian citizenship? These questions have become relevant, especially after the Ministry of External Affairs clarified that a passport is a travel document, not proof of citizenship.Citizenship vs NationalityMany use citizenship and nationality interchangeably, but legally, they are different.Nationality is a broader concept. It is acquired by birth or adoption, marriage, or descent. Citizenship, meanwhile, is a specific legal relationship between a state and a person, bestowing certain rights and responsibilities. It does not have to accompany nationality, according to the Centre for Development Policy and Practice.Quick answers to key questions•5 QUESTIONSIndian nationality is a broader concept tied to birth or descent, while citizenship specifically refers to the legal status granted by the government, which confers specific rights and responsibilities.You can determine your Indian citizenship based on criteria such as birth in India, descent from Indian parents, or through legal registration or naturalization processes.There is no single definitive document. However, documents related to date and place of birth, such as voter IDs, birth certificates, and government-issued documents, may be used to support claims of citizenship.A passport is primarily a travel document and serves to establish nationality abroad; it does not confirm citizenship as individuals who are not citizens can also be issued passports under specific circumstances.Documents like Aadhaar, PAN cards, and driving licenses are not considered proof of citizenship, as they relate more to residency or identity rather than establishing citizenship status.Nationality is a cultural and ethnic bond to a country where a person was born or has heritage. If you were born in India or trace your roots there, your nationality is Indian.However, a person acquires citizenship only after fulfilling legal prerequisites. It is the legal status granted by the government. It grants specific rights such as voting and holding a passport.Regarding passports as proof of citizenship, the Ministry of External Affairs officials said that a passport's primary legal purpose is to facilitate international travel and establish the holder's nationality abroad, according to the New Indian Express.Here are the key differences between citizenship and nationality.NationalityCitizenshipThe place or country where a person was born is referred to as their nationalityWhen a person meets all of the legal conditions, the government of the country will issue them citizenshipNationality can be viewed as a moral or racial idea.Citizenship is a legal term that refers to a person's legal statusBirth and Inheritance are two ways to get nationality. Birth, Inheritance, Naturalization, Marriage, and other methods can all be used to get citizenshipOne's nationality cannot be changedIt is possible to change one's citizenshipA person can only be a national of one countryA person can acquire citizenship of multiple countriesCan not be reverseCan be reversedExample: A person with Indian roots born in the UKExample: One Indian receiving US citizenship after passing a citizenship test.How are citizenship and nationality decided?One's nationality is determined by the place of birth or by ancestral roots (or inheritance). Meanwhile, an Indian citizenship is decided by:Birth: If you have been born in IndiaDescent: If you have been born to Indian Parent(s) outside IndiaRegistration/Naturalization: Any foreigner, on becoming eligible, can acquire citizenship by registration or by naturalisation irrespective of his country or community.How can you prove your citizenship and nationality?There is no single document to prove Indian citizenship. Even, the government is not clear about what all documents would be
