Govt Revoked 102 OCI Cards in Last 9 Years

Between 2014 and May 2023, the Indian government revoked at least 102 Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cards, igniting a discussion on how to strike a balance between citizens' rights and national security considerations.

This action presents important questions regarding the application of Citizenship Act Section 7D, which gives authorities the authority to cancel OCI cards in certain situations.

Launched in 2005, the OCI system allows individuals of Indian origin to keep their foreign citizenship while also granting them permanent residency in India. However, the Citizenship Act's Section 7D gives the government the authority to cancel OCI cards in certain situations, such as:

• Acquisition of the card by fraud.
• Exhibiting "disaffection towards the Indian Constitution."
• Assisting an enemy nation during war.
• Convictions for crimes in India.
• Circumstances that are considered essential to protect India's "sovereignty, integrity, and security."