Consider the following statements1. He/she is exempted from registrati...
Overseas Citizen of India (OCI):
- It is given to overseas Indians.
- OCI Scheme was introduced by amending the Citizenship Act, 1955, in August 2005.
- It provides long-term visa-free travel and stay in India and gives the cardholders a host of privileges normally not given to a foreign national.
Who is eligible for an OCI card? As per the ministry’s statement, a foreign national –
- who was a citizen of India at the time of, or at any time after 26 January, 1950;
- who was eligible to become a citizen of India on 26th January, 1950;
- 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;
- who is a minor child and whose both parents are citizens of India or one of the parents is a citizen of India – is eligible for registration as an OCI cardholder.
Entitlements:
- A registered OCI is granted multiple entry, multipurpose, life-long visa for visiting India.
- He/she is exempted from registration with the Foreign Regional Registration Officer or Foreign Registration Officer for any length of stay in India.
- He/she is entitled to general ‘parity with Non-Resident Indians in respect of all facilities available to them in economic, financial and educational fields except in matters relating to the acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties.
OCI cardholder is NOT entitled to:
- OCI is not to be misconstrued as ‘dual citizenship’. OCI does not confer political rights to vote;
- to be a member of a Legislative Assembly or of a Legislative Council or of the Parliament of India;
- to hold Indian constitutional posts such as that of the President, Vice President, Judge of the Supreme Court or High Court etc.;
- He/she cannot normally hold employment in the Government;
- to undertake any Missionary work, Mountaineering and Journalism work without prior permission of the Govt. of India;
- OCI cardholder shall also require Protected Area Permit (PAP)/Restricted Area Permit (RAP) to visit any place which falls within the Protected/Restricted Area notified by the Government as in the case of any other foreigner.
Consider the following statements1. He/she is exempted from registrati...
Entitlements of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)
1. He/she is exempted from registration with the Foreign Regional Registration Officer or Foreign Registration Officer for any length of stay in India.
- OCI cardholders are not required to register with the Foreign Regional Registration Officer or Foreign Registration Officer for any length of stay in India, unlike other foreign nationals.
2. He/she can become a member of a Legislative Assembly or of a Legislative Council or of the Parliament of India.
- OCI cardholders are eligible to become members of the Legislative Assembly, Legislative Council, or Parliament of India, except for certain high constitutional positions.
3. Government of India has conferred political rights to vote to OCI cardholder.
- The Government of India has granted political rights, including the right to vote, to OCI cardholders. However, they are not allowed to hold certain public offices such as President, Vice-President, Judge of the Supreme Court, Judge of the High Court, etc.
Therefore, option a) Only one is correct as only statement 1 provides an entitlement to the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI).
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