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RRB Group D GK GS Indian Citizenship Notes

RRB Group D GK GS Indian Citizenship covers Articles 5 to 11, Citizenship Act 1955, CAA 2019, NRC, NPR, and citizen-only fundamental rights. This topic is important for Railway Exams 2026 as questions are factual and scoring. Clear understanding of acquisition, loss of citizenship, and constitutional provisions improves GK GS performance.

authorImageShruti Kumari2 Jan, 2026
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RRB Group D GK GS Indian Citizenship Notes

RRB Group D GK GS Indian Citizenship: Indian Polity is a core section of the RRB Group D General Knowledge and General Studies syllabus. Among all polity topics, citizenship in India holds a fixed and recurring importance. Questions related to constitutional articles, citizenship acts, amendments, NRC, NPR, and fundamental rights are frequently asked.

Provided here is the RRB Group D GK GS Indian Citizenship, every concept in a simple and structured manner. It follows the exact constitutional framework and legislative updates relevant till 2025. 

What is Citizenship?

Citizenship means being a legal member of a country. An Indian citizen has certain rights, like the right to vote, and duties, like obeying the law. Citizenship also implies permanent recognition in the country. For RRB Group D GK GS Indian Citizenship, candidates must know the basic definition and importance of citizenship in India.

Constitutional Basis of Citizenship in India

The Constitution of India defines citizenship under Part II (Articles 5 to 11). India has a system of single citizenship, meaning every citizen of India is recognized under one nation and cannot hold dual citizenship like some other countries. The idea of citizenship in India was influenced by British law. For RRB Group D GK GS Indian Citizenship, knowing the constitutional foundation is crucial.

Key Articles on Citizenship

Candidates preparing for RRB Group D GK GS Indian Citizenship should remember these key articles:

Key Articles on Citizenship
Article Description
5 Defines who became Indian citizens on 26 January 1950. Includes people born in India or whose parents or grandparents were born in India.
6 Covers citizenship for people who migrated from Pakistan before or after 19 July 1948.
7 Citizenship status of people who moved to Pakistan and returned to India.
8 Citizenship for Indian-origin people living abroad who register at Indian embassies.
9 Citizenship ends if a person acquires foreign citizenship.
10 Protects citizenship for those who comply with constitutional provisions unless Parliament decides otherwise.
11 Gives Parliament the power to make laws regarding citizenship acquisition and termination.

Citizenship Act, 1955

The Citizenship Act of 1955 is important for RRB Group D GK GS Indian Citizenship questions. It defines five ways to acquire Indian citizenship:

  1. By Birth – People born in India.

  2. By Descent – Citizenship through parents or grandparents.

  3. By Registration – Foreign nationals registering for Indian citizenship.

  4. By Naturalization – Citizenship granted after legal residency.

  5. By Incorporation of Territory – Citizenship for residents after changes in territory.

The Act also explains three ways citizenship can end:

  1. Voluntary Renunciation – Giving up citizenship by choice:

  2. Deprivation – Citizenship revoked for illegal acquisition or disloyalty.

  3. Dismissal/Expulsion – Citizenship terminated by government action.

Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019

For RRB Group D GK GS Indian Citizenship, the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is an important recent law. It allows certain non-Muslim minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh to obtain Indian citizenship. These groups include Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians.

National Population Register (NPR) vs National Register of Citizens (NRC)

Candidates should also know the difference between NPR and NRC for RRB Group D GK GS Indian Citizenship.

  • NPR: A government database collecting demographic and residential information of all residents in India. It does not affect citizenship.

  • NRC: A register used to verify citizenship status. If documents are missing, citizenship can be denied. NRC has been implemented notably in Assam.

Fundamental Rights Exclusive to Citizens

Certain rights are available only to Indian citizens. For RRB Group D GK GS Indian Citizenship, these rights are important for exam questions:

  • Article 15 – Prohibits discrimination based on religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.

  • Article 16 – Ensures equality in public employment.

  • Article 19 – Guarantees freedom of peech, expression, assembly, association, movement, residence, and profession.

  • Article 29 – Protects interests of minorities.

  • Article 30 – Gives minorities the right to establish and manage educational institutions.

Voting Rights

Only Indian citizens can vote in elections. Understanding this is important for RRB Group D GK GS Indian Citizenship as voting rights are a basic feature of citizenship.

Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI)

OCI is a scheme introduced in 2005. People of Indian origin living abroad can get certain benefits but do not have full citizenship. They cannot vote or hold public office. This is relevant for RRB Group D GK GS Indian Citizenship questions about rights of citizens vs non-citizens.

Important Amendments

Here are some major amendments and acts related to citizenship:

Important Amendments
Year Amendment/Act Key Points
1955 Citizenship Act Defined methods of citizenship acquisition and termination
1986 Amendment Introduced Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI)
2003 Amendment Defined illegal immigrants and NRC provisions
2005 Amendment Formalized OCI scheme
2019 CAA Provided citizenship for selected non-Muslim minorities from neighboring countries

For candidates preparing for RRB Group D GK GS Indian Citizenship, it is important to focus on:

  • Definition and constitutional basis of citizenship.

  • Articles 5 to 11 of the Indian Constitution.

  • Citizenship Act, 1955 and its amendments.

  • Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019.

  • Differences between NPR and NRC.

  • Rights and duties of citizens.

Understanding these points will help candidates answer questions confidently in the RRB Group D GK GS Indian Citizenship section. Frequent revisions and practicing quizzes can improve preparation.

PW provides Railway exam content, including Railway Exam Blogs, sample papers, mock tests, guidance sessions, and more. Also, enroll today on Railway Online Coaching for preparation.

RRB Group D GK GS Indian Citizenship FAQs

Why is Indian Citizenship important for RRB Group D exams?

Indian Citizenship is frequently asked under Polity because it includes constitutional articles, rights, and current laws, making it a high-scoring topic.

Which articles deal with citizenship in the Indian Constitution?

Articles 5 to 11 under Part II of the Constitution deal with Indian citizenship.

What is the Citizenship Act, 1955?

The Citizenship Act, 1955 defines methods of acquiring and losing Indian citizenship and empowers Parliament to regulate citizenship laws.

What is the difference between NRC and NPR?

NPR records resident data and does not determine citizenship, while NRC verifies and confirms citizenship status.
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