Q1. Who among the following enjoys all civil and political rights in India?
- Citizens
- Citizens & Friendly aliens
- Citizens & Enemy aliens
- Citizens & Illegal migrants
Correct Option: 1. Citizens
Explanation: Only citizens enjoy full civil and political rights. Friendly and enemy aliens have limited or restricted rights under Indian law.
Q2. Under which Article are citizens protected against discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth?
- Article 14
- Article 15
- Article 19
- Article 21
Correct Option: 2. Article 15
Explanation: Article 15 prohibits discrimination on specific grounds and applies exclusively to citizens.
Legal Basis for Applicability to Citizens Only:
The opening words of Article 15(1) clearly state:
“The State shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them.”
This means that:
*Only Indian citizens are protected under Article 15 from discrimination by the State on the listed grounds.
*Foreigners (aliens) in India are not entitled to this specific constitutional protection.
Implications:
*If a foreign national faces discrimination on grounds like religion or race in India, they cannot invoke Article 15.
*However, foreigners can claim protection under Article 14, which provides the “Right to Equality before Law” to all persons, not just citizens.
Example:
*If a citizen is denied entry to a public park solely because of their caste, it’s a violation of Article 15.
*If a foreigner is denied entry based on similar grounds, Article 15 won’t apply, though Article 14 might if there’s arbitrary treatment.
Q3. The Constitution of India deals with the topic of citizenship under which part?
- Part I
- Part II
- Part III
- Part IV
Correct Option: 2. Part II
Explanation: Part II (Articles 5 to 11) deals with citizenship at the commencement of the Constitution and empowers Parliament to regulate citizenship matters.
Q4. A person born in India on August 15, 1990 will be a citizen of India only if:
- Either parent is a citizen of India at the time of birth
- Both parents are citizens of India
- One parent is a citizen and the other is not an illegal migrant
- He registers with the Indian consulate
Correct Option: 1. Either parent is a citizen of India at the time of birth
Explanation: For those born between July 1, 1987 and December 3, 2004, citizenship is granted if at least one parent is an Indian citizen.
Q5. Which of the following modes of acquiring Indian citizenship involves fulfilling a residence requirement of 11 years out of the last 14 years?
- By birth
- By descent
- By naturalisation
- By registration
Correct Option: 3. By naturalisation
Explanation: Naturalisation requires 11 years of residence in India within the last 14 years, including 1 year of continuous residence before applying.