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Which of the following statements is/are not true for the category of the Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) inserted by the amendment to the Citizenship Act of India in 2003 ? 1. It gives dual citizenship to Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) who are citizens of another country. 2. It gives Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) who are citizens of another country, an OCI card without citizenship. 3. It permits the OCI to vote in general elections in India. 4. It allows the OCI to travel to India without visa. Select the correct answer using the code given below :
Explanation
The Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) scheme, introduced via the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2003, and expanded in 2005, is not a form of dual citizenship [2]. The Indian Constitution (Article 9) strictly prohibits dual nationality; thus, OCI is a registration for foreign nationals of Indian origin that provides certain privileges without granting actual citizenship [1]. Statement 1 is false because it incorrectly labels OCI as dual citizenship. Statement 3 is false because OCI cardholders are explicitly denied the right to vote in general elections and cannot hold constitutional offices [2]. Conversely, Statement 2 is true as OCI provides a card without citizenship, and Statement 4 is true because OCI cardholders are entitled to a lifelong, multipurpose, multiple-entry visa, allowing them to travel to India without a separate visa [3]. Therefore, statements 1 and 3 are not true.
Sources
- [1] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 7: Citizenship > OVERSEAS CITIZENSHIP OF INDIA > p. 67
- [2] https://www.indembassyuae.gov.in/oci-information.php
- [3] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 7: Citizenship > Table 7.1 Comparing NRI, PIO and OCI Cardholdersl > p. 73