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Consider the following statements with reference to the Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cardholders:
1. OCI status is not citizenship and does not grant the right to vote in elections or hold public office.
2. Though they are not Indian citizens, resident OCIs would enjoy any fundamental rights under the Indian Constitution.
Which of the statements given above is/are not correct ?
  • a)
    1 only
  • b)
    2 only
  • c)
    Both 1 and 2
  • d)
    Neither 1 nor 2
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
Consider the following statements with reference to the Overseas Citiz...
An OCI is a category introduced by the government in 2005. Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) of certain categories as specified in the Citizenship Act, 1955 are eligible for being OCI cardholders. Some of the benefits for PIO and OCI cardholders were different until 2015 when the government merged these two categories. Overseas Citizenship of India is a form of permanent residency available to people of Indian origin and their spouses which allows them to live and work in India indefinitely. Despite its name, OCI status is not citizenship and does not grant the right to vote in Indian elections or hold public office. An overseas citizen of India cardholder shall be entitled to such rights, as the Central Government may specify in this behalf. An overseas citizen of India cardholder shall not be entitled to the following rights (which are conferred on a citizen of India)
  • He shall not be entitled to the right to equality of opportunity in matters of public employment.(Article 16)
  • He shall not be eligible for election as President.
  • He shall not be eligible for election as Vice-President.
  • He shall not be eligible for appointment as a Judge of the Supreme Court.
  • He shall not be eligible for appointment as a Judge of the High Court. ➢ He shall not be entitled for registration as a voter. ➢ He shall not be eligible for being a member of the House of the People or of the Council of States.
  • He shall not be eligible for being a member of the State Legislative Assembly or the State Legislative Council.
  • He shall not be eligible for appointment to public services and posts in connection with affairs of the Union or of any State except for appointment in such services and posts as the Central Government may specify. So, Statement 1 is correct. The Ministry of Home affairs defines an OCI as a person who was a citizen of India on or after January 26, 1950; or was eligible to become a citizen of India on that date; or who is a child or grandchild of such a person, among other eligibility criteria. The Indian Constitution makers made certain Fundamental Rights Universal and applicable to everyone irrespective of Nationality and Citizenship. These rights include:
  • The right to equality before the law and equal protection of the laws (Article 14)
  • The right to protected in case of a conviction for an offence (Article 20)
  • The right to protection of personal life and liberty under Article 21. They also have the right to elementary education under Article 21-A.
  • They also have the right to protection against arrest in certain cases under Article 22 of the Constitution.
  • They are protected from trafficking and forced labour. (Article 23)
  • Foreign nationals under the age of 14 cannot be employed in hazardous industries. (Article 24)
  • They have the right under Article 25 to freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of any religion. They have the freedom to manage their religious affairs. (Article 26)
  • While promoting a religion they are given exemption from payment of taxes under Article 27. They are free to attend religious instructions and worship in certain educational institutions. Thus, the Fundamental Rights guaranteed by Articles 15, 16, 19, 29 and 30 are available only to citizens of India, not to OCI cardholders. So, Statement 2 is not correct.
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Community Answer
Consider the following statements with reference to the Overseas Citiz...
Explanation:
The correct answer is option 'B' - statement 2 only is incorrect.


Statement 1: OCI status is not citizenship and does not grant the right to vote in elections or hold public office.


  • OCI stands for Overseas Citizens of India.

  • OCI cardholders are foreign citizens of Indian origin who are granted certain rights and privileges.

  • They are not Indian citizens but have a special status that provides them with several benefits and rights.

  • One of the limitations of OCI status is that it does not grant the right to vote in elections or hold public office in India.

  • This means that OCI cardholders cannot participate in the democratic process of electing representatives or hold positions of power in the Indian government.

  • Therefore, statement 1 is correct.



Statement 2: Though they are not Indian citizens, resident OCIs would enjoy any fundamental rights under the Indian Constitution.


  • OCI cardholders may not be Indian citizens, but they are granted several rights and privileges under the Indian Constitution.

  • These rights include the right to equality, freedom of speech and expression, protection against discrimination, and the right to life and personal liberty.

  • OCI cardholders have the same fundamental rights as any other resident of India.

  • Therefore, statement 2 is incorrect.



In conclusion, OCI status does not grant the right to vote or hold public office, but OCI cardholders do enjoy fundamental rights under the Indian Constitution. Therefore, the correct answer is option 'B'.
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Consider the following statements with reference to the Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cardholders:1. OCI status is not citizenship and does not grant the right to vote in elections or hold public office.2. Though they are not Indian citizens, resident OCIs would enjoy any fundamental rights under the Indian Constitution.Which of the statements given above is/are not correct ?a)1 onlyb)2 onlyc)Both 1 and 2d)Neither 1 nor 2Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
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Consider the following statements with reference to the Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cardholders:1. OCI status is not citizenship and does not grant the right to vote in elections or hold public office.2. Though they are not Indian citizens, resident OCIs would enjoy any fundamental rights under the Indian Constitution.Which of the statements given above is/are not correct ?a)1 onlyb)2 onlyc)Both 1 and 2d)Neither 1 nor 2Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2024 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about Consider the following statements with reference to the Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cardholders:1. OCI status is not citizenship and does not grant the right to vote in elections or hold public office.2. Though they are not Indian citizens, resident OCIs would enjoy any fundamental rights under the Indian Constitution.Which of the statements given above is/are not correct ?a)1 onlyb)2 onlyc)Both 1 and 2d)Neither 1 nor 2Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Consider the following statements with reference to the Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cardholders:1. OCI status is not citizenship and does not grant the right to vote in elections or hold public office.2. Though they are not Indian citizens, resident OCIs would enjoy any fundamental rights under the Indian Constitution.Which of the statements given above is/are not correct ?a)1 onlyb)2 onlyc)Both 1 and 2d)Neither 1 nor 2Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?.
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