Draft Article 5B (Article 8) was debated on 10, 11 and 12 August 1949. It was not initially included in the Draft Constitution 1948. Instead, the Chairman of the Drafting Committee proposed its insertion. It regulated the citizenship rights of Indian origin persons residing outside India.
A member believed that the article provided unfair special treatment to Indians abroad who are seeking Indian citizenship: as it allows for application and registration even after the commencement of the Constitution. However, the previous article, which grants citizenship to persons who have migrated from Pakistan, did not receive a similar prospective application.
The Assembly adopted the Article without amendments on 12 August 1949.
