GS2 🤝 International Relations

Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)

/ˌəʊ.vəˈsiːz ˈsɪt.ɪ.zən əv ˈɪn.di.ə/

A form of permanent residency status (not citizenship) granted by the Indian government to foreign nationals of Indian origin, providing lifelong multiple-entry visa, parity with NRIs in economic, financial, and educational matters, but excluding voting rights, government employment, purchase of agricultural land, and eligibility for constitutional posts.

Context & Background

Introduced in 2005; merged with PIO card in 2015; India does not permit dual citizenship — OCI is the closest equivalent.

UPSC Exam Relevance

GS2 (International Relations, Indian Polity). Prelims: provisions vs restrictions (no voting, no agricultural land purchase, can inherit agricultural land). Mains: useful in answers on diaspora engagement, citizenship law, and dual nationality debates.