ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Overseas Citizenship of India

Hey there! Do you know that some people travel from one country to another country for various reasons? They can travel to study, work, or live there permanently. So, when people move from one country to another, they have to follow some rules of that country. For example, if someone wants to go to India for more than 6 months, they have to get a visa. A visa is a piece of paper that allows someone to stay in a different country for a set amount of time.

Now, let's talk about Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI). OCI is a card that is given to people who are not Indian citizens but have Indian roots. People who have OCI cards can work, study, and live in India as long as they want.

Here's an example: Let's say your great-grandparents were from India, but you were born in a different country. You want to study in India, but you don't have an Indian passport. So, you can apply for an OCI card. Once you get this OCI card, you can live and study in India just like an Indian citizen.

One important thing to remember is that OCI cardholders can't vote, run for office, or buy agricultural land in India. It's also important to note that just because someone has an OCI card, it doesn't mean they are automatically granted Indian citizenship.

In summary, Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) is a card given to people who are not Indian citizens but have Indian roots. This card allows them to live, work, and study in India without needing a visa.