Why in the News

• Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has amended rules to allow cancellation of OCI registration if:

  • Cardholder is convicted for two years or more

  • Cardholder is charge-sheeted for offences punishable with seven years or more

  • Applicable regardless of where the offence occurred (India or abroad), if recognised under Indian law

Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) Scheme – Overview

What it is

• Legal status for foreign nationals of Indian origin

• Allows them to live, work, and travel in India without repeated visa applications

Launched in

• 2005

Nodal Ministry

• Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)

Aim

• Strengthen engagement with Indian diaspora

• Provide long-term residency and travel benefits to persons of Indian origin

Key Features

Eligibility

• Persons who were citizens of India on or after 26 January 1950, or their descendants

• Excludes those with Pakistani or Bangladeshi citizenship (self or ancestry)

Visa Benefits

• Lifelong, multiple-entry, multi-purpose visa for visiting India

Economic & Educational Rights

• Right to own property (except agricultural/plantation land)

• Right to pursue education and invest in India

No Political Rights

• Cannot vote or hold constitutional posts

New Rules – Grounds for Cancellation of OCI Registration (Clause (da), Section 7D, Citizenship Act, 1955)

Conviction-based

• Imprisonment of two years or more

Charge-sheet-based

• Offences punishable with seven years or more

Irrespective of Jurisdiction

• Applies to convictions/charges both in India and abroad, if offence is recognised under Indian law

Other Existing Grounds for Cancellation

• Fraud or concealment in obtaining OCI

• Disaffection towards the Constitution

• Unlawful trade or communication with the enemy during war

• Acts against sovereignty, integrity, and security of India

• Actions harming friendly foreign relations or public interest