This is the actual law that presently applies.
By birth
- deemed to be citizen of India at birth if takes birth in territory of India AND if either parent is an Indian citizen and other is not illegal immigrant
- b/w 1987-2004: a person born in territory of India would have been a citizen if either parents were indian citizen at time of birth
- before 1987: a person taking birth in territory of Indian was entitled to indian citizenship irrespective of these citizenship status of parents
By decent
- person born outside India to either of Indian parents entitled to Indian citizenship if
- birth was registered at an Indian Embassy or consular representative
- done within a period of one year of birth or during the extension period allowed
- before 2004: no requirement for registration within a specific time period
- before 1992: a person should have been born to an Indian father
By registration
- PIO eligible for citizenship upon meeting certain requirements
- foreign citizen married to indian citizenship eligible for indian citizenship upon satisfying certain conditions
Naturalization
- person w/ NO ties to india can also become indian citizen if he has resided in india for certain number of years and fulfills some other conditions as well
Incorporation of Territory
- india being sovereign, may acquire other territories
- persons in such territories shall be eligible for indian citizenship upon meeting certain requirements