Context (IE): MEA dispels rumours over additionalrestrictions on OCI cardholders.
Who is an OCI?
The OCI Cardholder is a foreign national holding passport of a foreign country and is not a citizen of India. Thus, an OCI shall not be entitled to the rights conferred on a citizen of India.
The OCI Scheme was introduced by amending the Citizenship Act, 1955, in 2005. The Person of Indian Origin (PIO) category was merged with the OCI category in 2015.
There are 45 lakhs registered OCI card holders in 2023, with the maximum from the USA, followed by the UK, Australia and Canada.
Eligibility
A foreign national:
who was a citizen ofIndia on January 26, 1950, or was eligible to become a citizen on the said date.
who belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15th August 1947.
who is a child or a grandchild or a great-grandchild of such a citizen.
who is a minor child of such persons mentioned above.
Spouse of foreign origin of an Indian citizen or spouse of foreign origin of an OCI Cardholder and whose marriage has been registered and subsisted for a continuous period of not less than two years immediately preceding the application’s presentation.
Who cannot become an OCI?
An applicant, if his parents or grandparents have ever been a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh.
Foreign military personnel, either in service or retired.
Benefits of OCI Cardholders
OCI cardholders are granted multiple entry, multipurpose, lifelong visas for visiting India.
Exemption from registration with the Foreign Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) or Foreign Registration Officer (FRO) for any length of stay in India.
Entitled to general parity with NRIs for inter-country adoption of Indian children, for airfares in the domestic sector and for practising professions such as doctors, CAs, advocates and architects.
Can appear for all India entrance tests such as NEET.
Parity with domestic Indian visitors regarding entry fees for visiting national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in India.
OCI cardholder is not entitled to
To vote
To be a member of the Legislative Assembly/Legislative Council or Parliament.
Cannot hold Constitutional posts such as President, Vice President, Judge of SC or High Court.
Not entitled for appointment to public services & posts in connection with the affair of the Union/State.
Cannot acquire agricultural land or farmhouse or plantation properties in India.
Latest rules regarding OCIs
The 2021 notification placed the following restrictions on OCIs:
Requirement for OCIs to secure a special permit to undertake “any research”, to undertake any “missionary” or “Tablighi” or “journalistic activities” or to visit any area in India notified as “protected”, “restricted” or “prohibited”.
Puts OCIs at par with “foreign nationals” in respect of “all other economic, financial and educational fields” for purposes of Foreign Exchange Management Act, 2003. (Earlier, they were equated to NRIs).