Constitution Section 9 — Persons voluntarily acquiring citizenship of a foreign State not to be citizens

Summary

If a person voluntarily becomes a citizen of another country, they cannot be a citizen of India under Article 5, nor can they be considered a citizen under Article 6 or Article 8. This means that choosing to take up foreign citizenship ends their Indian citizenship under these specific articles.

Official Text

No person shall be a citizen of India by virtue of article 5, or be deemed to be a citizen of India by virtue of article 6 or article 8, if he has voluntarily acquired the citizenship of any foreign State.

Related Judgments

• UTKARSH JAIN vs UNION OF INDIA AND ORS — Delhi High Court (2026)
• KULATHIL MAMMU vs THE STATE OF KERALA — Supreme Court of India (1966)
• HARISHANKAR JAIN vs SONIA GANDHI — Supreme Court of India (2001)
• BHANWAROO KHAN AND ORS. vs UNION OF INDIA AND ORS — Supreme Court of India (2002)
• SYED KHAWAJA MOINUDDIN vs GOVERNMENT OF INDIA AND 3 ORS — Supreme Court of India (1967)
• STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH vs PEER MOHD. & ANOTHER — Supreme Court of India (1962)