Constitutional Article Explorer

Plain Meaning:Defines India as a single, indestructible Union of States named Bharat, comprising all the States, Union Territories, and any acquired territories.

Plain Meaning:Empowers Parliament to admit into the Indian Union, or establish as new States, external territories that were not previously part of India.

Plain Meaning:Empowers Parliament to create new states, adjust state borders, increase or decrease a state’s area, or change a state’s name by ordinary legislation.

Plain Meaning:Clarifies that laws creating new states or redrawing boundaries are passed by an ordinary parliamentary majority and do not require a constitutional amendment under Article 368.

Plain Meaning:Determined who automatically became an Indian citizen on 26 January 1950 based on having an Indian domicile combined with birth, parentage, or five years of prior residence.

Plain Meaning:Granted citizenship at the Constitution’s commencement to displaced refugees who migrated from Pakistan to India following the 1947 Partition, subject to origin and residence criteria.

Plain Meaning:Provided that persons who migrated from India to Pakistan after 1 March 1947 lost their Indian citizenship, unless they returned under a lawful permit for permanent resettlement.

Plain Meaning:Allowed persons of Indian origin living abroad on 26 January 1950 to claim Indian citizenship by registering with an Indian diplomatic or consular mission.

Plain Meaning:Article 9 bars citizenship under Articles 5, 6 or 8 at the Constitution’s commencement after voluntary acquisition of foreign citizenship; later termination is governed by section 9 of the Citizenship Act, 1955.

Plain Meaning:Guarantees that anyone recognized as a citizen under Articles 5–8 continues to remain a citizen, subject only to laws enacted by Parliament.

Plain Meaning:Grants Parliament complete constitutional authority to make laws governing who can acquire, lose, or hold Indian citizenship after 26 January 1950.

Plain Meaning:Defines "the State" for Fundamental Rights to include the central government, Parliament, state governments, assemblies, municipalities, panchayats, and all public authorities.