Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)

Posted 22 Jan 2025

Updated 25 Jan 2025

3 min read

Why in the News?

Ministry of External Affairs has dispelled concerns regarding OCI cardholders being reclassified as foreigners, confirming that the existing OCI rules remain unchanged.

About OCI Cardholders

The OCI Scheme was introduced by amending the Citizenship Act, 1955 in 2005.
Eligibility: Any foreign national, except a national of Pakistan or Bangladesh,
- who was a citizen of India at the time of, or at any time after 26th January, 1950; or
- who was eligible to become a citizen of India on 26th January, 1950; or
- who belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15th August, 1947; or
- who is a child or a grandchild or a great grandchild of such a citizen; or
- who is a minor child of such persons mentioned above; or
- 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 OCI cardholder.
Also, spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India or spouse of foreign origin of an Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder and whose marriage has been registered and subsisted for a continuous period of not less than two years immediately preceding the presentation of the application is also eligible for registration as OCI cardholder.
Foreign military personnel either in service or retired are also not entitled for grant of OCI.
Persons of Indian Origin and OCI cardholders have been merged under one category OCI in 2015.
As on 31st January, 2022 40.68 lakh OCI registration cards are issued.

Benefits of OCI card holders

Multiple-entry multi-purpose life-long visa to visit India
Equality with NRIs in certain financial, economic and educational matters except for acquisition of agricultural or plantation land and in matters pertaining to inter-country adoption of Indian children.
Eligible for grant of Indian citizenship under Section 5(1)(g) of the Citizenship Act, 1955 after completion of 5 years as OCI card holder, provided he has resided in India for one year out of 5 years before making the application.
Eligible to enroll in the National Pension Scheme (NPS) at part with Non Resident Indians.

OCI is not to be misconstrued as 'dual citizenship'. OCI does not confer political rights to vote.
Not eligible to hold Indian constitutional posts: President (Article 58); For election of Vice-President (Article 66); Judge of the Supreme Court (Article 124) and High Court (Article 217).
Not eligibility for being a member of the House of the People/Council of States/ Legislative Assembly/Legislative Council.
With regard to equality of opportunity in matters of public employment (Article 16)
- Not eligible for public service positions in Union or State affairs, except for specific posts designated by the Central Government through special orders.
Special approval is required for research, mountaineering, missionary activities, journalism and to visit Restricted / Protected Areas.