Nationality And Citizenship - Differences, Definition With Examples And More
Citizenship and Nationality are two of the most misunderstood terms in the world. Therefore, it is important to understand the difference between Nationality and citizenship. A person’s nationality shows his or her place of birth, i.e., where they are from. It refers to a person’s sense of belonging to a certain country. Citizenship is awarded by a country's government to an individual who meets the legal requirements. It refers to a person’s position as a citizen of a country.
The difference Between Nationality and Citizenship is one of the most important topics for the UPSC IAS exam. It covers a significant part of the Polity subject in the Mains General Studies Paper-II syllabus and General Studies Paper-1 of the UPSC Prelims Syllabus.
In this article, we shall discuss the difference between Nationality and Citizenship in detail, one of the relevant topics for the UPSC IAS exam.
Difference Between Nationality and Citizenship in India
The difference between Nationality and Citizenship in India is as follows:
|
Nationality |
Citizenship |
|
Nationality is hereditary membership. |
Citizenship is the legal recognition of membership in a nation-state. |
|
It represents the lineage of individuals and ancestral connections to a specific country. |
It is a legal status that determines the rights and obligations of an individual. |
|
A person cannot be a national of more than one nation-state. |
A person can possess citizenship in more than one country. |
|
Nationality is based on the place of birth or ancestry. |
Citizenship represents the place of registration. |
|
It is essentially an "ethnic" or "racial" concept. |
It is a "legal" concept. |
|
The nationality of an individual cannot change or be denounced. |
Citizenship can be acquired, updated, changed, or renounced through legal formalities. |
|
Nationality is a broader concept than citizenship. |
Citizenship is a narrower concept as it refers to the political rights and responsibilities of an individual. |
Check out the article on Fundamental Duties in India here!
UPSC Beginners Program
Get UPSC Beginners Program - 60 Days Foundation Course SuperCoaching @ just
People also like
What is Nationality?
Nationality refers to a person's legal bond to a particular nation or country. It is determined by a person's place of birth, parentage, or naturalization. Nationality is often associated with a person's cultural identity and sense of belonging.
Know more about the National Register of Citizens!
What is Citizenship?
Citizenship refers to a person's legal status as a member of a particular country. It is granted by a country to individuals who meet certain requirements, such as:
- being born in the country,
- having parents who are citizens of the country or
- having lived in the country for a certain period of time.
Citizenship confers certain rights and responsibilities, such as:
- the right to vote,
- the right to hold public office, and
- the duty to obey the law.
For a detailed explanation, check out the link Citizenship Act 1955!
Conclusion
Nationality is an inherent connection to a country a person obtains via birth. On the other hand, citizenship is unique because it requires a person to fulfil legal prerequisites before being a recognised member of the state. Furthermore, nationality is a topic of international trade, but citizenship is a topic of a country’s internal politics.
Download the Difference Between Nationality and Citizenship PDF here!
UPSC Prelims Previous year questions
- With reference to India, consider the following statements: (UPSC 2021)
- There is only one citizenship and one domicile.
- A citizen by birth only can become the Head of State.
- A foreigner, once granted citizenship, cannot be deprived of it under any circumstances.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 2 and 3
Study in detail about the Citizenship of India with this linked article!
We hope all your doubts regarding nationality and citizenship would have been addressed now. Ace your UPSC preparation by downloading the Testbook App! Testbook provides study material for various competitive examinations.
