A person born in India on or after 1st July 1987 is considered as a citizen of India only if either of his parents is a citizen of India at the time of his birth. This act further describes the condition of citizenship for those born on or after 26th January 1950 but before 10th December 1992 outside India. In this case a person is given the status of the citizen of India if his/her father was the citizen of India at the time of his/her birth. After 1992 this criteria was slightly modified and for person born on or after 10th December 1992 either of the parents should be the citizen of India at the time of his birth and for person born after 7th January 2004 he won't be given the citizenship unless his birth is registered at an Indian Consulate within one year of the birth.
Other ways of getting citizenship of India:
- By Registration: this mode of acquiring citizenship applies to those people of Indian origin who live outside undivided India. A person either of whose parent was born in the country or who is married to the citizen of India can apply for Indian citizenship through Registration.
- By Naturalization: Indian citizenship by naturalization is applicable for those people who are foreigners and are resident of India for twelve years and living in India continuously for the past one year from the date of applying.
- Overseas Citizenship of India: Overseas Citizenship of India can be considered dual citizenship of India to some extent. This privilege is given to those people who at any point of time were citizen of India or who fulfill all the conditions for being so. This special status is given to people of Indian origin (PIO) living in some specified countries. A person who possess OCI card is entitled to certain rights and privileges such as:
- He does not have to register himself in the Foreign Registration Officer each time he visit the country for less than 180 days.
- Does not require visa to visit India
- Can buy and sell property in India except for agricultural and plantation land.
- Can do business in India
- Can open bank accounts
- Can give loans to Indian citizens
Though person with OCI card has many privileges but he is not treated at par with Indian citizen
- He does not have the right to vote
- Does not have any right to stand for elections of Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and Constitutional posts such as post of President, Vice President, and Judge of Supreme Court/ High Court etc.
- Cannot visit restricted areas without permission
- Cannot take research work in India without the permission of Central Government.
