Bare ActOfficial Text of Article 7
7. Rights of citizenship of certain migrants to Pakistan.—
Notwithstanding anything in articles 5 and 6, a person who has after the first day of March, 1947, migrated from the territory of India to the territory now included in Pakistan shall not be deemed to be a citizen of India:
Provided that nothing in this article shall apply to a person who, after having so migrated to the territory now included in Pakistan, has returned to the territory of India under a permit for resettlement or permanent return issued by or under the authority of any law and every such person shall for the purposes of clause (b) of article 6 be deemed to have migrated to the territory of India after the nineteenth day of July, 1948.
The main rule: anyone who moved from India to Pakistan after 1 March 1947 is not an Indian citizen, even if they were born in India and would otherwise qualify under Article 5 or 6. Moving to Pakistan showed they chose that country.
The exception (proviso): some of these people later came back. If someone returned to India with an official permit for resettlement or permanent return, Article 7 does not block them.
But there is a condition: such a returnee is treated as if they migrated to India after 19 July 1948. So, under Article 6(b)(ii), they still had to register as a citizen and show 6 months' stay in India.
🏠 Everyday Analogy
A player leaves the Mumbai team to sign with a rival franchise. He is no longer on Mumbai's squad. If he later wants to return, he can, but only with a proper NOC (the permit) and by registering again like any new signing. He does not just walk back into his old spot.
🇮🇳 Real Indian Example
Ahmed was born in Lucknow and moved to Karachi in October 1947. Under Article 7 he did not become an Indian citizen in 1950. His brother also went to Karachi but came back to Lucknow in 1949 on a government permit for permanent return. The brother could become a citizen, but only by registering under Article 6(b)(ii).
Quick RevisionKey Points to Remember
- Migrated to Pakistan after 1 March 1947 = not deemed a citizen of India.
- Article 7 overrides Articles 5 and 6.
- Exception: returned under a permit for resettlement or permanent return issued under law.
- Returnees are treated as post-19 July 1948 migrants and had to register under Article 6(b).
UPSC · State PSC · JudiciaryExam Corner
- Two dates, two Articles: 1 March 1947 (Article 7, migration to Pakistan) and 19 July 1948 (Article 6, migration to India).
- Article 7 is the only Article in Part II that starts by overriding both Article 5 and Article 6.
- The proviso links back to Article 6(b), so returnees could not get automatic citizenship.
- Questions often ask: "A person born in India who migrated to Pakistan in 1947 and returned with a resettlement permit becomes a citizen how?" Answer: by registration.
Practice MCQTest Yourself: Article 7
Under Article 7, people who migrated from India to Pakistan after which date are not deemed Indian citizens?
Doubts ClearedFrequently Asked Questions
What is the cut-off date in Article 7?
1 March 1947. Anyone who migrated from India to Pakistan after this date is not deemed an Indian citizen, unless they returned under a resettlement or permanent-return permit.
Did a person who returned with a permit get citizenship automatically?
No. They were treated as having migrated to India after 19 July 1948, so they had to register under Article 6(b)(ii).
How are Article 6 and Article 7 different?
Article 6 helps people who came from Pakistan to India become citizens. Article 7 removes citizenship from people who went from India to Pakistan after 1 March 1947.