Context:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praises the journey undertaken by Persons of Indian Origin across the world and their efforts for a better society.
Persons of Indian Origin (PIO)
A person of Indian origin is referred to as any foreign citizen, who was either an Indian citizen or whose ancestors had been Indian citizens. PIO cards are issued and can be obtained by PIOs, which makes them eligible for visa-free stay in India up to 15 years.
- Qualifications
- Either he was Indian citizen at some point in the past
- OR any of either of his ancestor or ancestors i.e. Grandfather or Father was borned in India who was a settled resident
- Marriage with person who is India citizen or was PIO
- Benefit
- PIO card holders can stay in India without visa for 15 years after the date of the card
- A PIO card holder can spend up to 180 days in India without registering with FRRO/FRO
- FRRO and FRO stand for Foreigners Regional Registration Office and Foreigners Registration Office, respectively. These offices are part of the Ministry of Home Affairs and are responsible for registering foreigners in India.
- If a PIO card holder is staying more than 180 days, he has to register with the concerned FRRO/FRO within 30 days
- Countries that are not eligible for PIO cards
- Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Iran, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Nepal.
Constitutional Provisions
- Articles 5, 8, and 9 of the Indian Constitution deal with citizenship for those of Indian origin.
- Article 5
- Confer citizenship to those who were born in India, or to those whose parents were born in India, or to those who were residents of India for a period of not less than five years before the coming into force of this Constitution
- Article 8
- The gives citizenship to persons of Indian origin residing abroad who are enrolled as citizens with the Indian diplomatic or consular representative
- Article 9
- Deems the Indians, who take citizenship voluntarily by any country outside India.
