.JPG)
Article 7 of the Indian Constitution
Title: Rights of citizenship of certain migrants to Pakistan
🔹 In Brief:
Article 7 says that people who migrated from India to Pakistan after March 1, 1947, shall not be considered Indian citizens under Articles 5 and 6.
However, if they later returned to India under a valid permit for resettlement or permanent return, they could be granted citizenship under certain conditions.
✅ Key Points:
-
Who is excluded?
-
Any person who migrated to Pakistan after March 1, 1947, is not an Indian citizen, even if they would otherwise qualify under Article 5 or 6.
-
-
Exception:
-
If such a person returned to India with a valid permit issued by Indian authorities for resettlement, they could regain citizenship if:
-
They fulfilled the conditions laid down (like staying in India for 6 months before applying, registration, etc.).
-
-
🕰️ Historical Context:
-
After Partition in 1947, millions migrated across the India-Pakistan border.
-
Article 7 was added to differentiate between refugees:
-
Those who fled from Pakistan into India (considered for citizenship),
-
And those who left India for Pakistan (seen as renouncing their citizenship).
-
-
This Article was intended to protect India's sovereignty and regulate mass migration.
-
It was a controversial provision during Constitution drafting—some argued it was harsh toward people who migrated under pressure.
🧾 Example:
Someone who went to Pakistan in 1948 to settle would lose Indian citizenship. But if they later came back in 1950 with a resettlement permit, they might regain it.
Follow Us