Understanding Citizenship and Immigration Law in India- a course for activists and practitioners
27th to 31st October, 2026
Background
Who is a citizen? To be a citizen is to be included as a member of a political community, and to be granted the corresponding rights and privileges that accrue to the membership. The laws of citizenship in a country determine who gets to formally be a member of a political community and receive the benefits of such membership, and conversely, shape the nature of the polity itself. Access to formal citizenship status also marks out groups such as migrants and refugees, who may occupy the territory of the polity but do not have access to the same rights as formal citizens, and their presence in India is governed by the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025. But, as we know from recent history, citizenship determination can create a slippery slope from citizen to migrant.
About the Course
This course will focus on developing a comprehensive understand of citizenship and immigration law for interested students, practitioners (both law and non law). In this course, we will focus on building a foundational understanding of citizenship and immigration law that is informed by current debates, both in court as well as outside.
This is a 5- day course, which will cover the Citizenship Act, 1955, the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025 and all other relevant legislations. The reading material will consist of statutes, case law, and some historical writing as well.
About the facilitators
The course will be led by Darshana Mitra and Mohammed Afeef Sadulla- co-directors of the Citizenship and Immigration Law Clinic, National Law School of India University.
Language: The primary medium of communication will be in English. The course intstructors can also speak in Hindi, Bengali, and Kannada, and will be able to provide some translation as required.
Contribution to the Program
We request participants to contribute an amount of Rs. 5,000 towards workshop expenses, inclusive of all onsite workshop costs: boarding, lodging, and all the materials used in the workshop. Travel will be borne by the participants. Need-based fee waivers are available. Do remember that there may be others who need it more than you. The fee waivers will be offered to people from marginalized groups and non-funded social, political, or student movements.
Dates: 27th to 31st October, 2026
Venue: Sambhaavnaa Institute, Kandbari, Tehsil, Palampur, District Kangra, PIN 176061, Himachal Pradesh
Please fill out the form below to apply