Writers on political science are not agreed on the exact meaning of word nationality. The term. Nation and Nationality have been used interchangeably. Both the term Nation and Nationality are derived from the same root word ‘Nato’, which means born, birth,or race. The word nation has acquired a political meaning whereas nationality acquired spiritual meaning.

According to Lord Bryce, a nation means a self governs nationality.

To Gilchrist, a nation means state plus nationality refers to the feeling of oneness, which exists among a group of people with common race, religion, common language, etc. The meaning of the word nation is not very clear as we have already stated this word derived from the word ‘Nato’ which means birth.

The Major points of difference are as follower.

1. The state refers to a politically organized society oh a given territory. Nation comprises of a group of people united by several ethnic factors. 

2. The state is a political concept and a political organization. It signifies common consciousness and units. 

3. The term state is narrow and technical. It consists of four elements of population, territory, government, and sovereignty. 

4. State may be inhabited by heterogeneous groups of people. The nation is homogeneous in composition. 

5. The state is sovereign. Sovereignty is its most essential feature. Without sovereignty may still be called a nation. Before 15^th August 1947 Indian was a nation, but not a state.