The Constitution of India does not allow you to have dual citizenship.Image Credit source: Representative Photo
When more than one country recognizes you as a ‘citizen’, then it means that you have dual citizenship. Dual citizenship means dual citizenship brings many benefits with it, so can the people of India also take advantage of this?
Actually the Constitution of India does not allow dual citizenship. That is, if a person holds Indian citizenship, then he cannot be a citizen of any other country at the same time. However, from the year 2005, such a facility has started in the country which gives many benefits related to dual citizenship to the Indian people.
Getting OCI benefits since 2005
The Government of India introduced the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) status in the year 2005. This status is given to such people of Indian origin (Person of Indian Origin) who had migrated from India and had taken citizenship of any other country except Pakistan and Bangladesh. In such a situation, if his country allows dual citizenship, then he can apply for OCI status in India.
Benefits to OCI
If the Government of India has accepted your OCI request, then you get many benefits.
- Multiple entry exemption and multi-purpose visa for life in India.
- At the same time, you do not need to inform the local police about your long stay in India.
- Like Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), OCIs get equal rights in the financial, economic and educational fields in India. Simply he cannot acquire any agricultural or plantation land or property.
What are the rights not given to OCI?
People getting OCI status from India do not have the right to vote in any kind of election held in the country. Nor can he be elected as a member of Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council. At the same time, he cannot become any kind of constitutional post in India such as President, Vice-President, Supreme Court or High Court judge.
