Citizenship of Bharat: Part 25

 

Section 14A: National Register of Indian Citizens

Explanation

Section 14A of the Citizenship Act, 1955, was introduced by the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2003, and it deals with the National Register of Indian Citizens (NRIC). The key provisions are as follows:

1. Compulsory Registration: The Central Government may compulsorily register every citizen of India and issue a national identity card to them.

2. National Register of Indian Citizens: The Central Government may maintain a National Register of Indian Citizens and for that purpose establish a National Registration Authority.

3. Registrar General of Citizen Registration: The Registrar General, India, appointed under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, shall act as the National Registration Authority and function as the Registrar General of Citizen Registration.

4. Assistance: The Central Government may appoint such other officers and staff as may be required to assist the Registrar General of Citizen Registration in discharging his functions and responsibilities.

Relevant Judgments

1. Union of India vs. Pranav Srinivasan (2024): This case reaffirmed the importance of following the statutory process strictly for the deprivation of citizenship. The Court emphasized that the decision of the Central Government is final and binding.

2. Union of India vs. Bahareh Bakshi (2024): This case involved an Iranian citizen who filed a writ petition seeking the issuance of an OCI Card. The Supreme Court ruled that the physical presence of the estranged spouse is not a mandatory requirement for processing an application for an OCI Card under Section 7A, emphasizing that the requirement was arbitrary and not necessary for verifying the genuineness of the marital status.

These provisions and judgments ensure that the process of maintaining the National Register of Indian Citizens is handled with due process and fairness, protecting the interests of both the individuals and the nation.