---
title: "single citizenship — Definition & Meaning | Model Diplomat"
description: "Single citizenship means every person in India holds only Indian nationality, promoting national unity and rejecting dual citizenship for states."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/single-citizenship"
---

[New](https://modeldiplomat.com/)

#

Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed July 7, 2026

TL;DR

- Single citizenship is the constitutional principle in India whereby all individuals hold only one nationality—Indian citizenship—regardless of the State in which they reside.
- This concept is enshrined in Part II (Articles 5 to 11) of the Indian Constitution, which establishes a uniform citizenship for the entire nation.
- Why did India adopt single citizenship despite being a federation?
- Does the OCI scheme amount to dual citizenship?
- What are the exceptions to the uniform rights flowing from single citizenship?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated July 7, 2026

Go beyond the definition

## Research single citizenship like a delegate

Model Diplomat's AI drafts position papers, speeches, and country research with real sources — built for MUN and politics students.

## Research it like a delegate

Research on modeldiplomat.com

## Ask a follow-up about single citizenship

Open a cited briefing in Model Diplomat search — timelines, positions, and sources you can use in committee or exam answers.

[Start research on single citizenship](https://modeldiplomat.com/search?q=Explain%20single%20citizenship%20%E2%80%94%20key%20dates%2C%20actors%2C%20positions%2C%20and%20sources)

Example

When the Constituent Assembly adopted Part II in 1949, B. R. Ambedkar defended single citizenship to ensure that a citizen of, say, Tamil Nadu enjoyed identical rights in Punjab, fostering one undivided Indian nationhood.

Keep learning

## Go deeper than the definition

Lessons

[Parliamentary System Federalism](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/lessons/upsc-indian-polity-parliamentary-system-federalism)[Preamble Union Its Territory Citizenship](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/lessons/upsc-indian-polity-preamble-union-its-territory-citizenship)

Courses

[Upsc Indian Polity](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/courses/upsc-indian-polity)

[Explore all Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams lessons](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services)[Test yourself with a quiz](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/quiz/civil-services)

## Take single citizenship beyond the glossary

Ask the AI research engine built for diplomacy — get briefings, position papers, and speeches with sources you can cite in committee.