Union, Territory and Citizenship PYQs – Polity, SSC & Railway

Ninth Amendment Act, 1960
Key provisions:
• Transferred Berubari Union (West Bengal) to Pakistan
• Implemented Indo-Pakistan Agreement of 1958
• Modified First Schedule (territories of India)
Historical context: Part of boundary settlement
between India and Pakistan post-partition.
Answer: Option 4 → 1960

Topic: Citizenship Provisions (Part II, Articles 5-11)
Article 5– Citizenship at the commencement of Constitution
Article 6– Rights of citizenship of persons migrating from Pakistan
Article 7– Rights of migrants to Pakistan
Article 8– Rights of persons of Indian origin residing abroad
Article 9– Persons voluntarily acquiring foreign citizenship
Article 10– Continuance of rights of citizenship
Article 11– Parliament's power to regulate citizenship by law
Option 1: Article 9 deals with termination, not registration
Option 2: Article 7 deals with migrants to Pakistan, not regulation
Option 4: Article 11 gives Parliament power to regulate, not birth
Answer: Option 3 → Article 5 – Citizenship at commencement

Topic: Indian Citizenship by Descent
As perCitizenship Act, 1955(amended 2003):
Children born abroad to Indian citizens acquire citizenship by descent.
The birth must be registered at the Indian consulate withinone yearof the date of birth.
If not registered within one year, citizenship can still be obtained with permission from the Central Government.
Answer: Option 1 → One year

Topic: Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI)
OCI Cardholders Benefits:
• Lifelong multiple-entry visa to India
• Can own property, study, and work (private sector)
• Must pay taxes like residents
OCI Cardholders Restrictions:
• Cannot vote in elections
• Cannot hold constitutional positions
• Cannot hold government jobs
• Not eligible for Indian passport
Answer: Option 3 → Voting or holding a government job

Topic: Indian Constitution - Formation of States
Article 3empowers Parliament to:
• Form new states by separation/merger
• Alter boundaries of existing states
• Change names of states
Note:Article 2 deals with admission of new states
Article 5 & 6 deal with citizenship provisions
Answer: Option 3 → Article 3

Topic:Citizenship Act of India
TheCitizenship Act, 1955was passed by the Indian Parliament.
It came into force on30 December 1955.
This Act provides for acquisition and determination of Indian citizenship.
Answer: Option 1 → 1955

Correct Answer: Fazl Ali Commission — Option (b)
The Fazl Ali Commission (States Reorganisation Commission) recommended the creation/ reorganisation of states on a linguistic basis. About the Fazl Ali Commission: Official name: States Reorganisation Commission (SRC); Chairman: Justice Syed Fazl Ali; Other members: H.N. Kunzru and K.M. Panikkar; Appointed: 1953; Report submitted: October 1955; Recommendation: Reorganisation of states along linguistic lines; Outcome: States Reorganisation Act, 1956 — the biggest reorganisation of Indian states; Background: After independence, Potti Sriramulu's fast unto death (1952) and his subsequent death led to the creation of Andhra Pradesh (1953) as a separate Telugu-speaking state; This triggered demands for linguistic states across India; A formal commission was needed; States Reorganisation Act, 1956: Reduced states to 14 and union territories to 6; Major changes: New states created on linguistic basis; Tamil Nadu (Madras), Karnataka (Mysore), Kerala, etc. were reorganized; About other commissions: Rajamannar Commission (1969): Appointed by Tamil Nadu government; recommended greater financial autonomy for states; NOT about linguistic reorganisation ; Punchhi Commission (2007): On Centre-State relations; NOT about linguistic reorganisation ; Sarkaria Commission (1983): On Centre-State financial and administrative relations; NOT about linguistic reorganisation ; Historical significance: The demand for linguistic states had been a part of Congress's agenda since the pre-independence period (Nagpur session 1920); Jawaharlal Nehru was initially opposed to linguistic states but ultimately accepted them.
Option (a) Rajamannar Commission — Incorrect: The Rajamannar Commission was NOT the commission that recommended creation of states on a linguistic basis; it was appointed by the Tamil Nadu state government in 1969 (chaired by Chief Justice P.V. Rajamannar) to examine Centre-State financial relations and recommend greater autonomy for states; the commission that recommended linguistic reorganisation was the Fazl Ali Commission (1955).
Option (c) Punchhi Commission — Incorrect: The Punchhi Commission was NOT the commission that recommended creation of states on a linguistic basis; it was appointed in 2007 by the Union Government (chaired by former Chief Justice of India M.M. Punchhi ) to review Centre-State relations; the commission that recommended linguistic reorganisation of states was the Fazl Ali Commission (States Reorganisation Commission, 1955).
Option (d) Sarkaria Commission — Incorrect: The Sarkaria Commission was NOT the commission that recommended creation of states on a linguistic basis; it was set up in 1983 (chaired by Justice R.S. Sarkaria) to examine and review Centre-State relations (financial, legislative, and administrative); the commission that recommended linguistic reorganisation was the Fazl Ali Commission (1955).

Correct Answer: 100th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2015 — Option (c)
The 100th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2015 gave effect to the acquisition of certain territories by India and transfer of certain territories to Bangladesh. About the 100th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2015: This amendment implemented the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) between India and Bangladesh; The original LBA was signed in 1974 (Indira Gandhi and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman) but was ratified only in 2015 under PM Narendra Modi and PM Sheikh Hasina; Key provisions of the amendment: India acquired 51 Bangladeshi enclaves within Indian territory (~17,160 acres); India transferred 111 Indian enclaves within Bangladesh to Bangladesh (~17,161 acres); The amendment added/modified the First Schedule of the Constitution relating to territories of India; What are enclaves (chitmahals)? Enclaves are small pockets of land from one country completely surrounded by territory of another country; These enclaves existed due to historical wager games between the rulers of Koch Bihar and Rangpur in the 17th-18th centuries; Effect: Approximately 50,000 people living in these enclaves were given the choice of citizenship; Most chose to remain where they were and take the respective country's citizenship; This historic settlement resolved a 68-year-old border issue between India and Bangladesh.
Option (a) 91st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003 — Incorrect: The 91st Amendment Act (2003) amended Articles 75 and 164 to cap the size of the Council of Ministers at 15% of the total members of the legislature — it has nothing to do with India-Bangladesh territorial exchange.
Option (b) 97th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2011 — Incorrect: The 97th Amendment Act (2011) dealt with Co-operative Societies — it inserted Part IXB (Articles 243ZH to 243ZT) in the Constitution relating to co-operatives; it has no connection with India-Bangladesh territorial exchange. The candidate selected this incorrect option.
Option (d) 96th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2011 — Incorrect: The 96th Amendment Act (2011) substituted the entry 'Oriya' with 'Odia' in the Eighth Schedule (recognized languages); it has no connection with India-Bangladesh territorial exchange; the 100th Amendment Act is correct.

Citizenship by Incorporation of Territory
Article 2 empowers Parliament to admit new states or establish new states.
When India acquires/incorporates new territory, persons residing there may become Indian citizens.
Example: Pondicherry (1962), Goa, Daman & Diu (1961) incorporation.
State division (Option 2) doesn't affect citizenship - already citizens.
Five years residence (Option 3) relates to naturalization, not incorporation.
Answer: Option 1 → India acquires new territory

Topic: Indian Constitution - Article 1
Article 1: Name and Territory of the Union
Article 1 classifies Indian territory intothree categories:
1.The States
2.The Union Territories
3.Territories that may be acquired
This classification defines the territorial jurisdiction of India.
Answer: Option 3 → Three

Topic: Citizenship in India
India followssingle citizenship model.
Unlike USA (dual citizenship - federal + state),
India has only one citizenship - Indian citizenship.
All citizens have same rights irrespective of state.
Adopted fromBritish model, not American federal model.
Answer: Option 1 → One: only Indian citizenship

Topic: Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019
The CAA grants Indian citizenship to persecuted religious minorities from three neighboring Islamic countries.
Eligible Countries:Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan
Eligible Communities:Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christian
Entry Deadline:On or before December 31, 2014
Answer: Option 3 → Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan

Topic: Citizenship - Constitutional Provisions
Article 9deals with persons voluntarily acquiring
citizenship of a foreign country.
It states:No person shall be a citizen of India if
he has voluntarily acquired citizenship of any
foreign state.
This provisionimplicitly prohibits dual citizenship
in India.
Answer: Option 4 → Article 9

Correct Answer: Part II — Option (b)
Citizenship provisions in the Indian Constitution are contained in Part II (Articles 5 to 11). These articles deal with citizenship at the commencement of the Constitution, citizenship of migrants from Pakistan, rights of citizenship of certain persons who have migrated to Pakistan, and the power of Parliament to regulate citizenship by law.
Option (a) Part I — Incorrect: Part I (Articles 1–4) deals with the Union and its territories.
Option (c) Part III — Incorrect: Part III (Articles 12–35) contains Fundamental Rights.
Option (d) Part IV — Incorrect: Part IV (Articles 36–51) contains the Directive Principles of State Policy.

Correct Answer: Parliament — Option (a)
Under Article 3 of the Indian Constitution, Parliament has the power to form new states, increase or decrease the area of existing states, alter the boundaries of existing states, and change the names of existing states. However, before introducing such a Bill, the President must refer it to the concerned State Legislature for its views. The state legislature's opinion is not binding on Parliament.
Option (b) State Legislature — Incorrect: State Legislatures cannot create new states or alter boundaries; only Parliament can.
Option (c) Supreme Court — Incorrect: The Supreme Court has no legislative power to create or alter states.
Option (d) President — Incorrect: The President's role is to refer such a bill to the state legislature; the actual power lies with Parliament.

Topic: Citizenship Act, 1955 - Citizenship by Descent
Key Provisions:
For persons born outside India on or after 10 Dec 1992:
Citizenship by descent is granted ifeither parentis an Indian citizen at the time of birth.
This amendment (1992) changed the earlier rule which required only the father to be a citizen.
The law now providesgender-neutral provisionsfor citizenship by descent.
Answer: Option 1 → Either parent is a citizen of India at the time of birth

Topic: Constitutional Amendments - India-Bangladesh Relations
100th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2015
Key Facts:
• Ratified the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) signed in 1974
• Enabled exchange of enclaves between India and Bangladesh
• Resolved 68-year-old border dispute
• Transferred 111 Indian enclaves to Bangladesh and 51 Bangladeshi enclaves to India
Answer: Option 2 → One Hundredth Amendment

Topic: Loss of Indian Citizenship
Article 9 of the Constitution:
Any person who voluntarily acquires citizenship of a foreign state shall cease to be a citizen of India.
Key Point:
India does NOT allow dual citizenship. Voluntary acquisition of foreign citizenship results in automatic termination of Indian citizenship.
Exception:Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) is available but it is NOT dual citizenship - it only provides certain privileges.
Answer: Option 1 → He/She ceases to be an Indian citizen

Topic: Indian Citizenship
Constitutional provision under Article 5:
Any person born in India between26 Jan 1950(commencement of Constitution) and1 July 1987automatically acquired citizenshipby birth.
This was unconditional citizenship based solely on place of birth (jus soli principle).
After 1987, Citizenship Act was amended to add conditions regarding parents' citizenship status.
Answer: Option 4 → birth

Constitutional Provisions on Citizenship
Articles 5-11 deal with citizenship provisions.
Article 5:Citizenship at commencement of Constitution
Article 6:Rights of migrants from Pakistan
Article 8:Rights of overseas citizens
Article 11:Parliament's power to regulate citizenship
Article 11 empowers Parliament to make laws for:
• Acquisition of citizenship
• Termination of citizenship
• All other matters relating to citizenship
Answer: Option 4 → Article 11

Section 10 of Citizenship Act, 1955deals with termination of citizenship.
Government can revoke citizenship if person:
- Obtained citizenship by fraud/false representation
- Showed disloyalty to Constitution
- Unlawfully traded/communicated with enemy during war
- Engaged in activities against sovereignty/integrity of India
Other Options:
Section 6A: Special provisions for Assam migrants
Article 5: Citizenship at commencement of Constitution
Article 11: Parliament's power to regulate citizenship by law
Answer: Option 2 → Section 10 of the Citizenship Act, 1955

Article 5defines citizenship at commencement of Constitution.
Key provision: Person domiciled in India AND
- Born in India, OR
- Either parent born in India, OR
- Ordinarily resident for 5+ years
Article 6: Migration from Pakistan
Article 8: Overseas citizens of Indian origin
Article 9: Voluntary acquisition of foreign citizenship
Answer: Option 1 → Article 5

Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019
Provides citizenship to persecuted minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh who entered India before 31st December 2014.
Six communities covered:
Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, Christian
Note: Muslim community is NOT included in CAA 2019.
Answer: Option 4 → Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, Christian

Section 7: Rights of citizenship of certain persons who have migrated to India from Pakistan
Key provisions related to territorial changes:
• Section 5: Citizenship by registration
• Section 6: Citizenship by naturalization
•Section 7: Citizenship rights when territory becomes part of India
• Section 9: Persons voluntarily acquiring citizenship of a foreign country
Section 7 specifically deals with citizenship rights when new territories are integrated into India.
Answer: Option 3 → Section 7

Part II (Articles 5-11)deals with citizenship at commencement.
Key Articles:
Article 5: Citizenship at commencement for domiciled persons
Article 6: Rights of migrants from Pakistan
Article 7: Rights of migrants to Pakistan
Article 8: Rights of overseas Indians
Article 9: Voluntary acquisition of foreign citizenship
Article 10: Continuance of citizenship rights
Article 11: Parliament's power to regulate citizenship
Answer: Option 4 → Articles 5 to 11

Article 6 specifically deals with:
'Rights of citizenship of certain persons who have migrated to India from Pakistan'
(before the commencement of the Constitution on 26 January 1950).
Condition: The person or either of his parents/grandparents was born in undivided India,
and he migrated to India before 19 July 1948 (or registered after that date).
Related Articles (for exam):
• Article 5 → Citizenship at commencement (born/domiciled in India).
• Article 6 → Migrants from Pakistan.
• Article 8 → Rights of Indians ordinarily residing outside India.
• Article 9 → Persons voluntarily acquiring citizenship of foreign state.
• Article 10 → Continuance of citizenship rights.
Answer: Option 1 → Article 6

Option 3 is correct.
Indian citizenship can be acquired by birth, descent, registration, or naturalisation under the Citizenship Act, 1955.
Marriage to an Indian citizen does not automatically confer citizenship.
Therefore, acquiring citizenship 'By marriage' is NOT a valid method under the Act.

The CAA Rules, 2024 specify that applicants from areas covered under the Inner Line Permit (ILP) regime and the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution are excluded from the CAA's provisions, preserving the rights of tribal communities in those regions.
(1) The CAA provides a 5-year residency requirement, not 6 years.
(2) The Rules do not mandate Eighth Schedule language proficiency levels set by the Central Government.
(3) Citizenship is not automatic — applications undergo a verification and approval process.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) 2019 provides fast-track Indian citizenship to persecuted religious minorities (Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians) who entered India from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan before 31 December 2014.
(a) Incorrect: Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar are not the three countries specified in the CAA 2019.
(b) Incorrect: Sri Lanka, China, and Nepal are not mentioned in the CAA 2019; the correct countries are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
(c) Incorrect: Iraq and Iran are not among the three countries mentioned in the CAA; only Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan are specified.

Article 3 of the Indian Constitution gives Parliament the power to: (a) form new states by separating territory from existing states or uniting states, (b) increase or diminish area of states, and (c) alter boundaries or change names of states. The President must recommend the Bill to Parliament, and the concerned state Legislature must be given time to express its views.
(a) Incorrect: Article 2 deals with admission or establishment of new states into the Union (i.e., territories not yet part of India).
(c) Incorrect: Article 4 deals with laws made under Articles 2 and 3 (consequential amendments to Schedules I and IV).
(d) Incorrect: Article 368 deals with the procedure for amending the Constitution itself, not for creating new states.

The correct answer is Article 3 (Option 1).
Article 3 of the Indian Constitution empowers Parliament to form new states, alter the boundaries of existing states, diminish the area of any state, and change names of states. Crucially, Parliament can do so without the consent of the concerned state legislature — the state legislature's views must only be ascertained within a specified time, but its consent is not required.
Option 2 - Article 5: Article 5 defines citizenship at the commencement of the Constitution; it has no connection to state boundaries.
Option 3 - Article 6: Article 6 grants rights of citizenship to those who migrated from Pakistan before July 19, 1948; it is unrelated to state boundary alterations.
Option 4 - Article 8: Article 8 gives rights of citizenship to persons of Indian origin living outside India; it does not deal with state boundaries.

The correct answer is Central government of India (Option 2).
Under the Citizenship Act, 1955, the Central Government of India appoints officers for registering migrants and processing citizenship applications. Citizenship in India is a Union subject (Entry 17, Union List) under the Constitution, giving exclusive authority to the Central Government.
Option 1 - State Government: Citizenship is a Union subject; state governments do not have the power to grant citizenship or appoint citizenship registration officers.
Option 3 - Supreme Court: The Supreme Court adjudicates citizenship disputes but does not appoint registration officers.
Option 4 - President of India: While the President acts on the advice of the Council of Ministers, the formal appointing authority for citizenship registration officers is the Central Government.

Article 1 of the Indian Constitution states: 'India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States.' This establishes India's name, its nature as a Union (not a federation, reflecting the indestructible nature of the Union), and that territories consist of States, Union Territories, and such other territories as may be acquired. Option 1 is correct.
Option 2 is wrong: Article 352 deals with the National Emergency (Proclamation of Emergency) in case of armed rebellion or external aggression; it does not describe India as a 'Union of States.'
Option 3 is wrong: Article 368 deals with the power of Parliament to amend the Constitution and the procedure for amendment; it does not describe India as a Union of States.
Option 4 is wrong: Article 3 deals with the formation of new states and alteration of areas, boundaries, and names of existing states — Parliament's power to reorganise states; it does not describe India's nature as a Union.

Under Article 3, Parliament has the power to reorganise states (form new states, alter areas, boundaries, names). However, Parliament is NOT required to obtain the consent of the concerned State Legislature — it only needs to refer the bill to the state for expressing views within a specified time, and Parliament is not bound by those views. Therefore, a 'Legislature's veto' (binding refusal) over state reorganisation is NOT permitted. Option 1 is correct.
Option 2 is wrong: Increasing the area of a state IS explicitly permitted under Article 3(b) — Parliament can increase the area of any state.
Option 3 is wrong: Changing the name of a state IS explicitly permitted under Article 3(e) — Parliament can alter the name of any state.
Option 4 is wrong: Formation of a new state from a Union Territory IS permitted under Article 3(a) — Parliament can form a new state by separation of territory from any existing state or by uniting two or more states.

Correct Answer: Article 3
Article 3 of the Indian Constitution empowers Parliament to: form a new state by separation of territory, unite two or more states, increase or diminish the area of any state, and alter the name or boundaries of any state. This can be done by a simple majority in Parliament.
Option 1 (Article 1): Incorrect. Article 1 defines India as a Union of States.
Option 2 (Article 2): Incorrect. Article 2 deals with admission or establishment of new states into the Union.
Option 3 (Article 4): Incorrect. Article 4 deals with laws under Articles 2 and 3.

The correct answer is Chhattisgarh – 2000 . Chhattisgarh was carved out of Madhya Pradesh on 1 November 2000 . The other options are mismatched: Telangana was created in 2014 , not 2001; Uttarakhand was created in 2000 , not 1998 (earlier known as Uttaranchal); Jharkhand was also created in 2000 , not 2001. Hence, only the pair Chhattisgarh – 2000 is correctly matched.

The correct answer is to verify citizenship claims of individuals excluded from the NRC . The Foreigners’ Tribunal is a quasi-judicial body established under the Foreigners Act, 1946. In the NRC process, especially in Assam, individuals who are excluded from the NRC list can approach the Foreigners’ Tribunal to prove their Indian citizenship. The tribunal examines documents, hears arguments, and delivers judgments on whether a person is an Indian citizen or a foreign national. It does not issue voter ID cards, conduct the Census, or directly deport individuals; deportation is the responsibility of the government after due legal process. The tribunal’s role is strictly to decide on citizenship verification .

Correct Answer: Option 1 – Article 2
Article 2 of the Indian Constitution empowers Parliament to admit into the Union or establish new States on such terms and conditions as it thinks fit. Article 3 deals with formation of new states by reorganising existing states (altering boundaries, changing names, etc.).
Why other options are wrong:
Option 2 (Article 4): Article 4 deals with laws made under Articles 2 and 3 that are not deemed to be amendments.
Option 3 (Article 8): Article 8 deals with rights of citizenship of certain persons of Indian origin.
Option 4 (Article 7): Article 7 deals with rights of citizenship of certain migrants to Pakistan.

As per September 2024 data from the Ministry of External Affairs, approximately 32 million Indians reside abroad as Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) or Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs).
44, 52, and 61 million are incorrect. Hence, 32 is correct.

The 36th Amendment Act, 1975 made Sikkim the 22nd state of India. It added Sikkim to the First Schedule (list of states) and the Fourth Schedule (seat allocation) of the Constitution. Prior to this, the 35th Amendment Act, 1974 had made Sikkim an 'Associate State'.
The 38th Amendment Act deals with Emergency provisions; the 42nd Amendment was the 'Mini Constitution'; the 35th only gave associate status. Hence, 36th Amendment Act, 1975 is correct.

Under Article 3 of the Indian Constitution, Parliament has the power to form a new state by separation of territory from any state, unite states, increase/diminish the area of a state, or alter the boundaries or name of any state. The State Legislature's view is sought but is not binding. Why others are wrong: - The State Legislature: It can express its view, but does not have the final authority to alter its own boundaries. - President: The President refers the bill to the concerned State Legislature but does not directly alter boundaries. - Supreme Court: It is a judicial body and does not have the legislative power to alter state boundaries.

Article 1 of the Constitution declares ‘India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States’ and provides for the names of States and Union Territories.
Article 3 deals with formation/alteration; Articles 239 and 240 deal with administration of UTs.

Correct Answer: Option 4 – Parliament of India
Under Article 3 of the Indian Constitution, Parliament has the exclusive power to alter the boundaries of states — by forming new states, increasing or diminishing the area of states, altering the boundaries of states, and altering the names of states. Such a bill can only be introduced in Parliament on the recommendation of the President. Before introduction, the President refers the bill to the affected state legislature(s) for their views (though their consent is not binding). Example: creation of Telangana (2014) by bifurcating Andhra Pradesh.
Option 1 (Supreme Court): The Supreme Court interprets the Constitution and resolves disputes; it cannot legislate to alter state boundaries.
Option 2 (State Legislative Assemblies): State legislatures have no power under Article 3 to alter their own or other states' boundaries; only Parliament can do so.
Option 3 (President of India): The President refers boundary bills to state legislatures and gives assent, but cannot unilaterally alter state boundaries — that power vests in Parliament.

Answer: Option 1 — 11 March 2024
The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 came into force only when the Ministry of Home Affairs notified the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024 on 11 March 2024.
Revision note — Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019
• Passed by Parliament in December 2019; it amends the Citizenship Act, 1955.
• Fast-track citizenship for Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian migrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
• Cut-off date of entry into India: 31 December 2014.
• Residence requirement for naturalisation cut from 11 years to 5 years for these groups.
• Does not apply to Sixth Schedule tribal areas and Inner Line Permit regions of the North-East.
• Citizenship is in the Union List; Articles 5–11 (Part II) of the Constitution deal with citizenship.
Also asked from this topic: the three countries covered by CAA 2019 (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan); the areas excluded by the 2024 Rules (Sixth Schedule areas and ILP regions).

Answer: Option 1 — 31 December 2014
The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 covers Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian migrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh who entered India on or before 31 December 2014.
Revision note — Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019
• It amends the Citizenship Act, 1955; Parliament's power to make citizenship law comes from Article 11.
• Residence needed for naturalisation cut from 11 years to 5 years for these communities.
• Came into force on 10 January 2020; its Rules were notified on 11 March 2024.
• Does not apply to Sixth Schedule tribal areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura, or to Inner Line Permit areas.
• Constitutional provisions on citizenship: Articles 5–11, Part II.
• Citizenship Act 1955 modes: birth, descent, registration, naturalisation, incorporation of territory.
Also asked from this topic: the three countries covered by CAA 2019 (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan); the areas it excludes (Sixth Schedule areas and ILP regions).