Overseas Citizen of India

• An Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) is a person registered as OCI Cardholder under section 7A of the Citizenship Act, 1955. 

• Following categories of foreign nationals are eligible for registration as OCI Cardholder:-
  • who was a citizen of India at the time of, or at any time after the commencement of the Constitution i.e. 26.01.1950; or
  • who was eligible to become a citizen of India on 26.01.1950; or
  • who belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15.08.1947; or
  • who is a child or a grandchild or great grandchild of such a citizen; or
  • spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India or spouse of foreign origin of an OCI Cardholder 

• Note: No person who or either of whose parents or grandparents or great grandparents is or had been a citizen of Pakistan, Bangladesh or such other country as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify, shall be eligible for registration as an OCI Cardholder.

What benefits an OCI cardholder is entitled to?

• Multiple entry life-long visa for visiting India for any purpose.
• Parity with Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in respect of all facilities available to them in economic, financial, and educational fields except in matters relating to the acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties.
• Registered OCI Cardholder shall be treated at par with NRIs in the matter of inter-country adoption of Indian children.

The OCI Card holder is not entitled:

• To vote,
• To be a member of a Legislative Assembly or of a Legislative Council or of the Parliament of India,
• To hold Indian constitutional posts such as that of the President, Vice President, Judge of the Supreme Court or High Court etc.
• He/she cannot normally hold employment in the Government.

Why in News?

• The Karnataka high court has ordered that students holding Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cards should be treated as Indian citizens for the purpose of admission to professional courses and they are entitled to admission under the state quota. 
• The court observation came while disposing of a batch of petitions by students and a writ appeal by the Karnataka state government.

Reference:

1. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/students-with-oci-card-can-get-state-quota-karnataka-hc/articleshow/79749867.cms