Naturalisation

noun

/ˌnætʃərəlaɪˈzeɪʃən/

The legal process by which a foreign national acquires citizenship of a country after fulfilling prescribed conditions — in India, this requires 12 years of ordinary residence (reduced to 5 years for CAA-eligible persons), good character, knowledge of a scheduled language, and intention to reside in India.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

The Citizenship Amendment Act recast the ordinary path of naturalisation by abridging the residency requirement for certain communities, thereby reigniting a constitutional debate over whether eligibility for Indian citizenship may be calibrated along religious lines.

Synonyms

citizenship grantenfranchisementadmissionassimilationacclimatisationdomestication

Antonyms

denaturalisationexpatriationdeportationexclusion

🌱 Word Family

naturalise (v.), naturalized (adj.), naturalising (v. pres.p), naturalization (n.), natural (adj.)

🔡 Root

Latin nātūra = nature, birth; nātūrālis = belonging to nature + Medieval Latin -izāre (verbal suffix)

📜 Etymology

From medieval Latin nātūrālizāre, from Latin nātūrālis ("of or belonging to nature, natural"), from nātūra ("nature, birth") + -izāre (verbal suffix).

🧠 Memory Hook

"Natural-isation" = making a foreigner a NATURAL of the land, by law rather than by birth; the alien is reborn (Latin natus, 'born') as a citizen.

⚖️ Polity & Constitution 📖 Seen in: Fundamental Duties & Citizenship — Art...

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