Phase IFoundation
Background
Overview
Understanding different modes of acquiring citizenship (birth, descent, registration, naturalisation) is a core topic in Indian Polity. The historical evolution, constitutional debates, and comparative aspects of birthright citizenship in major democracies like the U.S. provide crucial insights into fundamental principles of state, individual rights, and immigration policies, relevant for GS2.
Birthright citizenship is a legal principle by which a person acquires citizenship of a country by virtue of being born within its territory, regardless of the citizenship of their parents. This principle, known as jus soli, contrasts with jus sanguinis, where citizenship is determined by the nationality of one's parents.