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**Report: Analysis of Notification Regarding Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Cardholder Rights**
**1. Executive Summary:**
This report analyzes a notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, dated March 4, 2021, concerning the rights of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders. This notification, referenced as S.O. 1050(E), supersedes previous notifications related to OCI cardholder rights. The core purpose is to specify the rights granted to OCI cardholders regarding visa-free entry, registration exemptions, parity with Indian nationals and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in specific areas. Key findings highlight specific permissions required for certain activities and the parity offered in various economic, financial, and educational fields. This notification clarifies and consolidates the rights of OCI cardholders as of the date of publication.
**2. Introduction:**
The purpose of this report is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the notification S.O. 1050(E), issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on March 4, 2021, regarding the rights of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders. The analysis is based solely on the content of the provided text and aims to inform stakeholders about the key provisions and implications of this notification.
**3. Policy Overview:**
* This notification amends and supersedes previous notifications related to OCI cardholder rights, specifically S.O. 542(E) dated April 11, 2005, S.O. 12(E) dated January 5, 2007, and S.O. 36(E) dated January 5, 2009.
* **Core Objective(s):** The core objective, as inferred from the text, is to define and specify the rights and privileges granted to OCI cardholders within India, concerning entry, stay, and access to various services and opportunities. This includes defining areas where OCI cardholders will have parity with Indian citizens and NRIs, and clarifying activities that require special permission.
**4. Background and Rationale:**
* This is an amendment to existing OCI policies. The likely reason for this amendment is to consolidate, update, and clarify the rights of OCI cardholders. The superseding of earlier notifications suggests an effort to bring all relevant provisions under a single, current directive. It is also likely there was a need to address ambiguities or inconsistencies in the previous notifications and to adapt the OCI rights framework to evolving circumstances and policy priorities.
**5. Key Provisions / Changes:**
This is an amendment of the policy. The key changes introduced by this notification include:
* **Supersession of Previous Notifications:** The notification explicitly supersedes earlier notifications (S.O. 542(E), S.O. 12(E), and S.O. 36(E)), except for actions already taken under those notifications. This indicates a comprehensive update to the OCI rights framework. The effect is that the rights and privileges detailed in this new notification now govern the treatment of OCI cardholders.
* **Multiple Entry Lifelong Visa:** The notification grants OCI cardholders a multiple-entry lifelong visa for visiting India for any purpose. *However*, it introduces the requirement for a special permission or Special Permit for specific activities.
* **Activities Requiring Special Permission:** The notification specifies activities that require special permission from competent authorities, including:
* Undertaking research.
* Undertaking missionary, Tabligh, mountaineering, or journalistic activities.
* Undertaking internships in foreign diplomatic missions or foreign government organizations in India or taking up employment in any foreign Diplomatic Missions in India.
* Visiting any place within protected, restricted, or prohibited areas. This adds a layer of control and oversight over specific activities undertaken by OCI cardholders, ensuring alignment with national interests and security concerns.
* **Registration Exemption with Intimation of Address Change:** OCI cardholders are exempt from registration with the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) or Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) for any length of stay. However, OCI cardholders normally resident in India must inform the jurisdictional FRRO/FRO via email of any change in permanent residential address and occupation. This reduces administrative burden while maintaining a mechanism for tracking OCI cardholders' presence and activities.
* **Parity with Indian Nationals:** OCI cardholders are granted parity with Indian nationals in:
* Tariffs in airfares in domestic sectors in India.
* Entry fees for visiting national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, national monuments, historical sites, and museums in India. This promotes tourism and cultural engagement by OCI cardholders, aligning their experience with that of Indian citizens.
* **Parity with Non-Resident Indians (NRIs):** OCI cardholders are granted parity with NRIs in:
* Intercountry adoption of Indian children, subject to compliance with relevant procedures.
* Appearing for all-India entrance tests (e.g., NEET, JEE) but are eligible for admission only against NRI or supernumerary seats. They are *not* eligible for seats reserved exclusively for Indian citizens.
* Purchase or sale of immovable properties, excluding agricultural land, farmhouses, or plantation property.
* Pursuing specific professions (doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, advocates, architects, chartered accountants) as per applicable laws. This facilitates access to education, property ownership, and professional opportunities, promoting integration and contribution to the Indian economy.
* **Rights as Foreigners in Unspecified Fields:** In all other economic, financial, and educational fields not specified in the notification, OCI cardholders have the same rights and privileges as a foreigner. This clarifies the legal standing of OCI cardholders in areas not explicitly covered, defaulting to the rights and privileges afforded to foreign nationals.
**6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:**
The primary target audience is Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cardholders. Secondary stakeholders include:
* Foreigners Regional Registration Officers (FRROs) and Foreigners Registration Officers (FROs)
* Ministries and government departments involved in immigration, education, and healthcare.
* Educational institutions conducting entrance exams and offering admissions.
* Real estate agents and property owners.
* Professionals in the specified fields (doctors, lawyers, etc.).
* The Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
* Indian Missions abroad.
**7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):**
* **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Ministry of Home Affairs is the primary responsible agency. Foreigners Regional Registration Officers (FRROs) and Foreigners Registration Officers (FROs) are responsible for managing registration and address changes. Competent authorities, Foreigners Regional Registration Officers, and Indian Missions concerned are responsible for granting special permissions for specified activities.
* **Timelines/Procedures:** The notification takes effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette (March 4, 2021). Specific procedures for obtaining special permissions are not detailed in the text and would likely be defined separately by the relevant authorities. The notification mandates OCI cardholders to intimate the jurisdictional Foreigners Regional Registration Officer or the Foreigners Registration Officer by email whenever there is a change in permanent residential address and in their occupation;
* The implementation requires coordination between various government agencies and potentially the development of specific guidelines for processing special permission requests.
**8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:**
* The intended outcome is to provide a clear and updated framework for the rights and privileges of OCI cardholders in India. The changes aim to:
* Facilitate easier entry and stay for OCI cardholders by providing a lifelong visa and exemption from registration.
* Provide clarity on the activities that require special permission, ensuring compliance with Indian laws and regulations.
* Promote integration of OCI cardholders into Indian society by granting parity with Indian nationals and NRIs in specific areas.
* Increase tourism, investment, and participation in the Indian economy by OCI cardholders.
* Streamline administrative processes related to OCI cardholder management.
**9. Conclusion:**
The notification S.O. 1050(E) represents a significant update to the policy framework governing the rights of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders. By consolidating and clarifying existing provisions, it provides a comprehensive overview of the rights and privileges granted to OCI cardholders, as well as the limitations and requirements they must adhere to. The notification is intended to facilitate smoother integration of OCI cardholders into Indian society and economy while safeguarding national interests and security. The changes should improve the clarity of OCI rights and make compliance easier for cardholders and relevant authorities.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Home Affairs: The Indian government ministry that issued the notification.
New Delhi: The city where the notification was issued. It is the capital of India.
Citizenship Act, 1955: The Act of Parliament of India that governs citizenship.
Government of India: The governing authority of the Republic of India.
Official Gazette: A publication of the Government of India where official notifications are published.
Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder: A foreign national holding a Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card and passport of a foreign country who is not a citizen of India.
India: The Republic of India
Foreigners Regional Registration Officer: An officer responsible for the registration of foreigners in India.
Indian Mission: An Indian diplomatic mission, such as an embassy or consulate.
NonResident Indians: Citizens of India who do not reside in India.
National Eligibility cum Entrance Test: An all India entrance test for admission to medical courses in India.
Joint Entrance Examination Mains: An all India engineering entrance examination.
Joint Entrance Examination Advanced: An entrance examination for admission to the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).
Reserve Bank of India: The central bank of India.
Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999: An Act of the Parliament of India to consolidate and amend the law relating to foreign exchange.
Foreign Exchange Management Acquisition and Transfer of Immovable Property in India Regulations, 2018: Regulations made by the Reserve Bank of India under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999.
Income Tax Act, 1961: An Act of the Parliament of India that governs income tax.
Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi: The government press responsible for printing official documents, located in New Delhi.
Controller of Publications, Delhi: The office responsible for publishing government documents, located in Delhi.
रजिस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33004/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
सी.जी.-डी.एल.-अ.-04032021-225647
xxxGIDHxxx
CG-DL-E-04032021-225647
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असाधारण
EXTRAORDINARY
भाग II—खण् ड 3—उप-खण्ड (ii)
PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (ii)
प्राजधकार स ेप्रकाजित
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
स.ं 962] नई दिल्ली, बृहस्ट्प जतवार, माच च4, 2021/फाल्ग नु 13, 1942
No. 962] NEW DELHI, THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021/PHALGUNA 13, 1942
गहृ मंत्रालय
अजधसचू ना
नई दिल्ल ी, 4 माच,च 2021
का.आ. 1050(अ).—केंद्रीय सरकार, नागररकता अजधजनयम, 1955 (1955 का 57) की धारा 7ख की उपधारा
(1) द्वारा प्रि्त िजतियय का प्रयगग करत े ुएए ताा रािपत्र म ें प्रकाजित गृह मंत्रालय, भारत सरकार की अजधसूचना
सं. का.आ. 542(अ), तारीख 11 अप्रलै , 2005 ताा रािपत्र में प्रकाजित तत्कालीन प्रवासी भारतीय कायच मंत्रालय, भारत
सरकार की अजधसूचना सं. का.आ. 12(अ), तारीख 5 िनवरी, 2007 ताा का.आ. 36(अ), तारीख 5 िनवरी, 2009 कग,
उन बात के जसवाय अजधक्ांत करत े ुएए, जिन्ह ें ऐसे अजधक्मण के पूवच दकया गया ह ै या करने स े लगप दकया गया ह,ै
जनम्नजलजखत अजधकार कग जवजनर्िष्टच करती ह ै जिनका कगई भारत का प्रवासी नागररक काडच धारक रािपत्र म ें इस
अजधसूचना के प्रकािन की तारीख से हकिार हगगा, अााचत ् :-
(1) दकसी प्रयगिन के जलए भारत आने हते ु िीवन पयचन्त बुए प्रविे वीिा अनुि्त करना:
परंतु जनम्नजलजखत दक्याकलाप करन े के जलए, भारत का प्रवासी नागररक काडच धारक कग सक्षम
प्राजधकारी या जविेिी क्षेत्रीय रजिस्ट्रीकरण अजधकारी या संबंजधत भारतीय जमिन स,े यााजस्ट्ाजत, जविेष
अनुज्ञा या जविेष अनुज्ञजि प्राि करना अपेजक्षत हगगा, अााचत्:-
1397 GI/2021 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)]
(i) अनुसंधान करन े के जलए;
(ii) दकन्हीं जमिनरी या तबलीग़ या पवचतारगहण या पत्रकाररता सबं ंधी दक्याकलाप के जलए;
(iii) भारत में दकन्हीं जविेिी रािनजयक जमिन या जविेिी सरकारी संगठन में इंटनचजिप करने के
जलए या भारत म ेंदकन्हीं जविेिी रािनजयक जमिन म ेंरगिगार के जलए;
(iv) दकसी ऐसे स्ट्ाान पर भ्रमण के जलए, िग केंद्रीय सरकार या सक्षम प्राजधकारी द्वारा याा
अजधसूजचत संरजक्षत या जनबंजधत या प्रजतजषद्ध क्षेत्र ह;ै
(2) भारत म ें दकसी भी अवजध के ठहराव के जलए जविेिी क्षेत्रीय रजिस्ट्रीकरण अजधकारी या जविेिी
रजिस्ट्रीकरण अजधकारी के पास रजिस्ट्रीकरण से छूट:
परंत ु भारत के प्रवासी नागररक काडच धारक, िग सामान्यतः भारत म ें जनवासी ह,ैं अजधकाररता वाल े
जविेिी क्षेत्रीय रजिस्ट्रीकरण अजधकारी या जविेिी रजिस्ट्रीकरण अजधकारी कग ई-मेल द्वारा सजू चत करेंगे,
िब कभी उनके स्ट्ाायी जनवास के पते या उनके व्यवसाय म ेंकगई पररवतचन हगता है;
(3) जनम्नजलजखत के जवषय म ेंभारत के राजिक से समानता,-
(i) भारत में घरेलू क्षेत्र में वायुयान भाडे के टैररफ; और
(ii) भारत म ें रािीय उद्यान, वन्यिीव अभ्यारण्य, रािीय स्ट्मारक, ऐजतहाजसक स्ट्ाल और संग्रहालय
िेखने हते ु वसूल की िाने वाली प्रवेि फीस;
(4) जनम्नजलजखत के जवषय म ेंअजनवासी भारतीय से समानता,-
(i) ऐसे ि्त क ग्रहण के जलए सक्षम प्राजधकारी द्वारा याा अजधकजात प्रदक्या के अनुपालन के अधीन
रहते ुएए, भारतीय बालक का अंतिेिीय ि्त क ग्रहण;
(ii) उन्ह ें केवल दकसी अजनवासी भारतीय सीट या दकसी अजधसंख्य सीट पर प्रवेि के जलए पात्र
बनाने हते ु अजखल भारतीय प्रविे परीक्षाओं, िैसे रािीय पात्रता-सह-प्रवेि परीक्षा, संयुतिय प्रविे
परीक्षा (मख्ु य), संयुतिय प्रवेि परीक्षा (उच्च) या ऐसी अन्य परीक्षाओं म ेंसजममजलत हगना:
परंत ु भारत का प्रवासी नागररक काडच धारक जवजिष्टतया भारत के नागररक के जलए आरजक्षत
दकसी सीट पर प्रवेि के जलए पात्र नहीं हगगा;
(iii) कृजष भूजम या फामच हाउस या बागान संपज्त से जभन्न अचल संपज्त का क्य या जवक्य; और
(iv) यााजस्ट्ाजत, लागू सुसंगत पररजनयम या अजधजनयम म ें अंतर्वचष्ट उपबंध के अनुसार
जनम्नजलजखत वृज्त यां करना, अााचत्:-
(क) जचदकत्सक, िंत जचदकत्सक, पररचाजयका और भेषिज्ञ;
(ख) अजधवतिया;
(ग) वास्ट्तुजवि;्
(घ) चाटचडच अकाउन्टेंट;
(5) अन्य सभी आर्ाचक, जव्त ीय और िैक्षजणक क्षेत्र के संबंध में, जिन्ह ें इस अजधसूचना म ें जवजनर्िष्टच नहीं
दकया गया ह ै या जविेिी मुद्रा प्रबंध अजधजनयम, 1999 (1999 का 42) के अधीन भारतीय ररिवच बैंक
द्वारा की गई अजधसूचनाओं के अंतगतच नहीं आन े वाले अजधकार और जविेषाजधकार के संबंध में भारत के
प्रवासी नागररक काड चधारक के वही अजधकार और जविेषाजधकार ह ग ेिग दकसी जविेिी व्यजतिय के ह।ैं[भाग II—खण् ड 3(ii)] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 3
स्ट्पष्टीकरण,- इस अजधसचू ना के प्रयगिन के जलए,-
(1) भारत का प्रवासी नागररक काडच धारक (जिसके अतं गतच भारतीय मूल का व्यजतिय काड च धारक भी ह)ै अन्य
िेि का पासपगटच धारण करन े वाला जविेिी राजिक ह ैऔर भारत का नागररक नहीं ह।ै
(2) “अजनवासी भारतीय” का वही अाच हगगा िग इसका जविेिी मुद्रा प्रबंध अजधजनयम, 1999
1999 का 42) के अधीन भारतीय ररिव च बैंक द्वारा बनाए गए जविेिी मुद्रा प्रबंध (भारत म ें अचल संपज्त
का अिचन और अंतरण) जवजनयम, 2018 में उसका ह ै ताा िग आयकर अजधजनयम, 1961 (1961 का
43) के अनुसार “अजनवासी भारतीय” की प्राजस्ट्ाजत कग पणू च करता ह।ै
[फा. सं. 26011/सीसी/05/2018-ओसीआई]
प्रमगि कुमार, जनिेिक
MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 4th March, 2021
S.O. 1050(E).— In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 7B of the Citizenship Act,
1955 (57 of 1955) and in supersession of the notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Home Affairs
published in the Official Gazette vide number S.O. 542(E), dated the 11th April, 2005 and the notifications of the
Government of India in the erstwhile Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs published in the Official Gazette vide
numbers S.O. 12(E), dated the 5th January, 2007 and S.O. 36(E), dated the 5th January, 2009, except as respect things
done or omitted to be done before such supersession, the Central Government hereby specifies the following rights to
which an Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder (hereinafter referred to as the OCI cardholder) shall be entitled, with
effect from the date of publication of this notification in the Official Gazette, namely:─
(1) grant of multiple entry lifelong visa for visiting India for any purpose:
Provided that for undertaking the following activities, the OCI cardholder shall be required to obtain
a special permission or a Special Permit, as the case may be, from the competent authority or the
Foreigners Regional Registration Officer or the Indian Mission concerned, namely:-
(i) to undertake research;
(ii) to undertake any Missionary or Tabligh or Mountaineering or Journalistic activities;
(iii) to undertake internship in any foreign Diplomatic Missions or foreign Government
organisations in India or to take up employment in any foreign Diplomatic Missions in
India;
(iv) to visit any place which falls within the Protected or Restricted or prohibited areas as
notified by the Central Government or competent authority;
(2) exemption from registration with the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer or Foreigners
Registration Officer for any length of stay in India:
Provided that the OCI cardholders who are normally resident in India shall intimate the
jurisdictional Foreigners Regional Registration Officer or the Foreigners Registration Officer by
email whenever there is a change in permanent residential address and in their occupation;
(3) parity with Indian nationals in the matter of,-
(i) tariffs in air fares in domestic sectors in India; and
(ii) entry fees to be charged for visiting national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, the national
monuments, historical sites and museums in India;
(4) parity with Non-Resident Indians in the matter of,-
(i) inter-country adoption of Indian children subject to the compliance of the procedure as laid
down by the competent authority for such adoption;4 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)]
(ii) appearing for the all India entrance tests such as National Eligibility cum Entrance Test,
Joint Entrance Examination (Mains), Joint Entrance Examination (Advanced) or such other
tests to make them eligible for admission only against any Non-Resident Indian seat or any
supernumerary seat:
Provided that the OCI cardholder shall not be eligible for admission against any seat
reserved exclusively for Indian citizens;
(iii) purchase or sale of immovable properties other than agricultural land or farm house or
plantation property; and
(iv) pursuing the following professions in India as per the provisions contained in the applicable
relevant statutes or Acts as the case may be, namely:-
(a) doctors, dentists, nurses and pharmacists;
(b) advocates;
(c) architects;
(d) chartered accountants;
(5) in respect of all other economic, financial and educational fields not specified in this notification or
the rights and privileges not covered by the notifications made by the Reserve Bank of India under
the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (42 of 1999), the OCI cardholder shall have the same
rights and privileges as a foreigner.
Explanation.─ For the purposes of this notification,─
(1) The OCI Cardholder (including a PIO cardholder) is a foreign national holding passport of a foreign
country and is not a citizen of India.
(2) “Non-Resident Indian” shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in the Foreign Exchange
Management (Acquisition and Transfer of Immovable Property in India) Regulations, 2018 made by
the Reserve Bank of India under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (42 of 1999) and who
fulfils the “Non-Resident Indian” status as per the Income Tax Act, 1961 (43 of 1961).
[F. No. 26011/CC/05/2018-OCI]
PRAMOD KUMAR, Director
Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064
and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.