Changing role of citizenship from preindependent India to present India
Answers
Pre-independence, Indians (and people living in modern day Pakistan, Bangladesh and Burma/Myanmar) were “British subjects of British Indian Empire.” They were issued a The British Indian passport, which was a passport, proof of national status and travel document issued to the British subjects of British Indian Empire.
The use of that passport was discontinued after the independence of India and Pakistan in 1947, and its bearers were entitled to opt for Indian, Pakistani or British nationality. An Indian passport is a passport issued by order of the President of India to Indian citizens for the purpose of international travel. It enables the bearer to travel internationally and serves as proof of Indian citizenship as per the Passports Act (1967). Pre-independence, Indians were “British subjects of British Indian Empire,” and after independence, they were considered Citizen of India. Indian nationality law largely follows the jus sanguinis (citizenship by right of blood) as opposed to the jus soli (citizenship by right of birth within the territory). The President of India is termed the first Citizen of India.