Who is OCI?

• The Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) scheme was introduced through an amendment to the Citizenship Act, 1955, in 2005. 
• The scheme provides for the registration of Persons of Indian Origin as Overseas Citizens of India, provided they were citizens of India on or after 26th January 1950, or were eligible to become citizens on that date. 
• However, individuals who are or had been or whose parent or grandparent or great grandparent citizens of Pakistan or Bangladesh are not eligible. 

Benefits

• A registered OCI is granted multiple entry, multipurpose, life-long visa for visiting India and he/she is exempted from registration with Foreign Regional Registration Officer or Foreign Registration Officer for any length of stay in India.
• OCI is entitled to general parity with Non-Resident Indians 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.

Restrictions

• OCI is not to be misconstrued as ‘dual citizenship’. 
  • A person of Indian origin who is a foreign national and gets registered as OCI scheme is an OCI.
• 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;
  • To undertake any Missionary work, Mountaineering and Journalism work without prior permission of the Govt. of India;
  • OCI cardholder shall also require Protected Area Permit (PAP)/Restricted Area Permit (RAP) to visit any place which falls within the Protected/Restricted Area notified by the Government as in the case of any other foreigner.

Why in News?

• The Government of India has launched the new Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Portal.
• The new portal will provide enhanced functionality, advanced security, and a user-friendly experience for the existing over 5 million OCI cardholders and new users.