Context:
At an event, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said there are a lot of challenges in providing dual citizenship to Indians settled abroad. He pointed out that the Overseas Citizenship of India drive is a step towards meeting the demand.
- Dual or Multiple Citizenship:
- It gives the person legal status as a citizen of two or more countries simultaneously.
- Countries allowing dual citizenship:
- United States, Finland, Albania, Israel, and Pakistan, etc.
- India
- Indian Constitution does not allow dual citizenship for nationals
- Alternative to dual citizens in India
- India offers the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) program to Persons of Indian Origin (PIO), except to those who moved to Pakistan and Bangladesh.
The Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI)
The Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) scheme allows people of Indian origin to live and work in India indefinitely. OCI cardholders receive a lifetime visa to India, and are treated similarly to Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in many ways.
- Facilities for the OCI cardholder
- Multi-purpose, multi-entry, lifetime visa for visiting India.
- Exemption from registering with local police authority for any length of stay in India
- Parity with NRIs with regard to the economic, financial, and educational fields except for matters relating to the acquisition of agricultural/plantation properties
- Foreign national eligible to apply for OCI
- Who was eligible to become a citizen of India on 26.01.1950
- Was citizen of India either on or at any time after 26.01.1950.
- Who is a child or a grandchild or a great-grandchild of such a citizen given above.
Non-Resident Indian (NRI)
A Non-Resident Indian (NRI) is a citizen of India living outside the country. In fact, the term NRI is also sometimes used to describe a person of Indian origin living outside India.
- Who is an NRI?
- An Indian citizen who is out of India
- A person of Indian origin who lives outside of India
- A foreign person staying in India for less than 182 days in a fiscal year.
- A person who stays abroad for employment, business, or other reasons that indicate an intention to stay abroad for an unspecified period.
UPSC Prelims PYQ
Q.1. With reference to India, consider the following statements: (2021)
- There is only ‘one citizenship and one domicile.
- A citizen by birth only can become the Head of State.
- A foreigner once granted the citizenship cannot be deprived of it under any circumstances.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 2 and 3
Correct Answer is Option (a)
