Citizenship vs Nationality: What’s the Difference and the Documents That Matter | Today’s news
What is the difference between Indian nationality and citizenship? How can one know if he is an Indian national or citizen? How is citizenship decided? What documents are required to prove your nationality or Indian citizenship? These questions became topical especially after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified that a passport is a travel document, not a document of citizenship.
Citizenship versus nationality
Many use citizenship and nationality interchangeably, but legally they are different.
Nationality is a broader concept. It is acquired by birth or adoption, marriage or offspring. Citizenship is a specific legal relationship between the state and a person, which provides certain rights and obligations. According to the Center for Development Policy and Practice, it does not have to be accompanied by nationality.
Quick answers to key questions
•5 QUESTIONS
Indian nationality is a broader term associated with birth or descent, while citizenship specifically refers to a legal status granted by the government that confers specific rights and obligations.
You can determine your Indian citizenship based on criteria such as being born in India, having Indian parents, or through a statutory registration or naturalization process.
There is no single definitive document. However, documents related to the date and place of birth, such as voter IDs, birth certificates and government-issued documents, can be used to support a claim of citizenship.
A passport is primarily a travel document and serves to prove nationality abroad; it does not confirm citizenship, as passports can also be issued to non-citizens under certain circumstances.
Documents such as Aadhaar, PAN cards and driving licenses are not considered proof of citizenship as they relate to residence or identity rather than establishing citizenship status.
Nationality is a cultural and ethnic tie to the country of one’s birth or heritage. If you were born in India or trace your roots there, your nationality is Indian.
However, a person acquires citizenship only after meeting the legal requirements. It is a legal status granted by the government. It grants specific rights such as voting and holding a passport.
Regarding passports as proof of citizenship, Ministry of External Affairs officials said the primary legal purpose of a passport is to facilitate international travel and ascertain the holder’s nationality abroad, reports the New Indian Express.
Here are the key differences between citizenship and nationality.
Nationality CitizenshipThe place or country where a person was born is referred to as their nationality. If a person meets all the legal conditions, the government of that country grants him citizenship Nationality can be seen as a moral or racial idea. Citizenship is a legal term that refers to a person’s legal status. Birth and inheritance are two ways to acquire nationality. Birth, inheritance, naturalization, marriage and other methods can be used to acquire citizenship Citizenship cannot be changed Citizenship can be changed A person can be a citizen of only one country A person can acquire citizenship of multiple countries Cannot be reversed Example: A person with Indian roots born in the UK Example: One Indian taking US citizenship.
How is citizenship and nationality decided?
Nationality is determined by place of birth or by ancestral roots (or heritage).
Meanwhile, Indian citizenship is decided by:
- Birth: If you were born in India
- Origin: If you were born to Indian parents outside India
- Registration/Naturalization: Any alien, once eligible, may acquire citizenship by registration or naturalization regardless of his country or community.
How do you prove your citizenship and nationality?
There is no single document to prove Indian citizenship. Even the government is not clear on what all documents would be acceptable for citizenship.
In 2019 a PIB press releaseregarding clarifications regarding NRC and CAA, said that citizenship can be proved by submitting any documents related to date of birth and place of birth. However, such acceptable documents have not yet been decided
These documents are likely to include voter IDs, passports, Aadhaar, licences, insurance documents, birth certificates, school leaving certificates, land or home documents or other similar documents issued by government officials, PIB says.
So why did the government say Aadhaar, passport does not prove citizenship?
A person’s nationality is a relevant factor when issuing a passport. According to Section 6 of the Passport Act, one of the grounds for rejection of a passport is that the applicant is not a citizen of India, A living law claims.
Live Law notes that documents like driving license, PAN card, Aadhaar etc. do not take into account the citizenship of a person. “Residence” is a factor that the concerned authorities consider relevant for issuing these documents.
For example, in the case of a driver’s license, the applicant is required to provide proof of address in the country concerned as well as proof of age.
Aadhaar, although intended as a unique identity identifier at the national level, is not a proof of citizenship. According to the Aadhaar Act, the relevant factor for issuing an Aadhaar number is a person’s residence in India for 182 days prior to the date of application.
As for PAN card, it is a document for paying income tax in India. Foreign nationals/entities who are liable to pay income tax in India can also get a PAN card.
These documents do not prove citizenship by themselvesLiving law states. However, these documents could confirm facts important for citizenship.
