Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card Cancellation

The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a notification detailing conditions under which an OCI card can be cancelled. This comes under clause (da) of Section 7D of the Citizenship Act, 1955.

Conditions for Cancellation

• An OCI registration can be cancelled if the cardholder is sentenced to imprisonment for a term of not less than two years.
• Cancellation is also applicable if the cardholder is charge-sheeted for an offense that carries a punishment of seven years or more.
• This provision grants the central government the power to enforce these cancellations, aiming to maintain the integrity of the OCI scheme.

Background of the OCI Scheme

• The OCI scheme was introduced in August 2005.
• It allows registration for persons of Indian origin who were citizens of India on or after January 26, 1950, or were eligible for citizenship on that date.
• The scheme excludes individuals who are or have been citizens of Pakistan, Bangladesh, or any other country notified by the central government.

This notification ensures that the benefits of the OCI card are preserved for individuals with a clean legal standing, reflecting the government's commitment to safeguarding national security and public order.