Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards new rule: Face cancellation if imprisoned for over 2 years

The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a gazette notification stating that Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card registrations can now be cancelled if the holder is convicted or charged with serious criminal offences. The notification clarifies that OCI status will be revoked if the cardholder is sentenced to imprisonment for two years or more, or if they are named in a charge sheet for an offence carrying a punishment of seven years or more.



This provision has been introduced under clause (da) of Section 7D of the Citizenship Act, 1955. The notification states: “In exercise of the powers conferred by the clause (da) of section 7D of the Citizenship Act, 1955 (57 of 1955), the central government hereby states that an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) registration shall be liable to get cancelled when a person has been sentenced to imprisonment for term of not less than two years or has been charge-sheeted for an offence entailing punishment of imprisonment for seven years or more.”

New conditions also require OCI holders to secure special permits for conducting research, engaging in missionary or journalistic activities, or visiting designated protected zones.

Notably, the 2021 revisions placed OCI holders on par with foreign nationals under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 2003, which reversed the previous status that granted them similar rights as Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in matters of economic, financial, and educational privileges. These adjustments to the OCI regulations are not the first of their kind. The original guidelines established back in 2005 were later replaced by new provisions issued in 2007 and 2009, expanding the rights and benefits available to OCI cardholders while attempting to balance the framework of rights with those offered to NRIs. (With PTI inputs)


Official Notification CG-DL-E-12082025-265364 - Issue of Notification under section 7D(da) of the Citizenship Act, 1955 specifying the grounds for cancellation of OCI registration 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

U.S Customs tells Indians : Stop carrying Bullshit. Cow dung from India is prohibited in luggage

Image
Cows are no strangers to praise and controversy in India. Hindus consider the animal sacred and many consider cow urine (Gomutra) and poop (cow dung) sacred and containing medicinal properties.   This may sound funny to some, but Indians seem to be carrying cow dung (dried cake) in their baggage while traveling to the US, prompting the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to issue a press release ( Dulles CBP Agriculture Specialists Find Cake Surprise in Leftover Baggage ). According to the release U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists discovered cow dung cakes while examining leftover baggage recently at Washington Dulles International Airport.  That is not a typo. CBP agriculture specialists found two cow dung cakes in a suitcase that was left behind after passengers from an Air India flight cleared CBP’s inspection station on April 4.  cbp.gov According to US CBP,  "Cow dung is reported to be a vital energy and cooking source in some p...
Read more

Checklist: What to do after death of a Parent or loved one?

Image
With a death in the family, survivors may have to come to grips with the stark reality: how to move forward after the death. While the grieving process can take time, one also must address several documentation, paperwork and other formalities. Here are a few things that you will have to follow up on: To Do Immediately After Someone Dies Inform loved ones, family and friends Arrange for a funeral - depending on your custom and current regulations and wishes of the deceased, you will have to plan for the final rites Plan for after death ceremonies - this will depend on your customs (e.g  After death ceremonies – Brahmin Iyer ) Apply for a  death certificate . This is the most important legal step and may be a two-step process The hospital, crematorium or burial ground officials may issue a letter/document with the name of deceased and cause of death.  The letter/document needs to be submitted to the local municipal/corporation office that will ‘record’ the death and i...
Read more

Deaths due to “high pressure” at work - reflecting on my quest for WLB after returning to India from the US

Image
I have been reflecting on the untimely death of Indian professionals due to “high pressure” at work – first it was Anna from E&Y and now there’s news of Sadaf Fatima from HDFC who died mysteriously. A few years ago, I returned to India after spending several years living and working in the US. My wife and I had quit our jobs and moved back to India to be closer to my aging parents. After exploring various options, including entrepreneurial ventures, and networking extensively I was eventually offered the role of IT Director at a services company. The team I was leading focused on managing internal systems and application platforms like ERP, HR, and Finance. Mohan's viewpoint on YouTube Returning to India was quite a culture shock, and the traffic was a real eye-opener. I found myself commuting 1.5 hours each way to the office at a tech park, which meant spending 3 hours daily just on the road. After working 9 hours in the office and commuting, I was expected to join ‘manage...
Read more