Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)

Syllabus: GS2/ Polity and Governance

Context

• The Consulate General of India in New York has clarified that rumours circulating on social media regarding OCIs becoming reclassified as “foreigners” are false.

Overseas Citizen of India

• OCI was introduced by the Indian government in 2005. 
• A registered OCI is granted multiple entry, multi-purpose life-long visa for visiting India.
• They are exempted from registration with Foreign Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) or Foreign Registration Officer (FRO) for any length of stay in India.
• OCI cardholders can open special bank accounts in India, they can buy non-farm property and exercise ownership rights and can also apply for a driver’s licence and PAN card.
  • However they are required to seek permission or a permit to visit protected areas in India. 

Eligibility Criteria

• It provides for registration as an OCI of all Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) who were citizens of India on 26th January, 1950, or thereafter, or were eligible to become citizens of India on the said date.
• A foreign national who;
  • Belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15th August, 1947; or
  • A child or a grandchild or a great grandchild of such a citizen; or
  • A minor child of such persons mentioned above; or
  • A minor child whose both parents are citizens of India or one of the parents is a citizen of India is eligible for registration as OCI cardholder.

Who cannot be an OCI? 

• An applicant is not eligible to get an OCI card if his/her parents or grandparents have ever been a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh. 
• Foreign military personnel either in service or retired are also not entitled for grant of OCI.

What are OCIs not allowed to do?

• The OCI card holder is not entitled to vote; to be a member of a Legislative Assembly or of a Legislative Council or of Parliament; to hold Indian constitutional posts such as that of the President, Vice President, Judge of the Supreme Court or High Court. 
• He or she cannot normally hold employment in the government.

Source: IE