Citizenship by Descent (Section 4)

Your eligibility is determined by the specific legal framework in place at the time of your birth. India does not allow dual citizenship; therefore, to claim Indian citizenship, you must not hold another nationality unless you are prepared to renounce it (or if you are a minor whose parents have not yet renounced on your behalf).

Born on or after January 26, 1950, but before December 10, 1992

You are a citizen if your father was a citizen of India at the time of your birth. During this period, maternal lineage alone was not sufficient to pass on citizenship.

Born on or after December 10, 1992, but before December 3, 2004

You are a citizen if either of your parents (mother or father) was a citizen of India at the time of your birth. This amendment introduced gender equality to the descent rules.

Born on or after December 3, 2004

The rules became more restrictive during this period. You are not automatically a citizen by birth alone. To qualify:

• At least one parent must be an Indian citizen.
• Your birth must be registered at an Indian Consulate within one year of the date of birth.
• The parents must declare in writing that the minor child does not hold a passport of another country.

Note on Late Registration: If you were born after December 3, 2004, and your birth was not registered within one year, you can only acquire citizenship if the Central Government grants an extension of the registration deadline.