{"id":3080,"date":"2020-12-28T15:04:25","date_gmt":"2020-12-28T09:34:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/?page_id=3080"},"modified":"2024-06-11T13:41:58","modified_gmt":"2024-06-11T08:11:58","password":"","slug":"citizenship","status":"publish","type":"docs","link":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/docs\/citizenship","title":{"rendered":"CITIZENSHIP"},"content":{"rendered":"<table style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #276614;\" border=\"2\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\">\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><strong>CITIZENSHIP<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p align=\"justify\">To prepare for <a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/indian-polity-2\/\">INDIAN POLITY<\/a> for any competitive exam, aspirants need to understand Citizenship, a key topic for the IAS exam&#8217;s polity syllabus (GS-II). Articles <strong>5 to 11<\/strong> of the Indian Constitution cover citizenship, which can be acquired by <strong>birth, descent, naturalisation, registration, <\/strong>and<strong> incorporation of territory<\/strong>. India provides for single citizenship to promote fraternity and unity among its people.<\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>Citizenship and Rights in India<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>India has two kinds of people:<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><u>Citizens:<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0Citizens are <strong>full members<\/strong> of the Indian State and <strong>owe allegiance<\/strong> to it. They <strong><u>enjoy all civil and political rights<\/u><\/strong><u>. <\/u><\/li>\n<li><strong><u>Aliens:<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0Aliens are the citizens of some other state and <strong><u>do not enjoy<\/u> all the civil and political rights<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pw.live\/batches\/upsc?utm_source=seo+upsc+batch&#038;utm_medium=seo+upsc&#038;utm_campaign=seo&#038;utm_id=upsc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Enroll now for UPSC Online Course<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Aliens Categorise into Two \u2013 <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<table style=\"width: 97.2427%; height: 430px;\" border=\"2\" width=\"716\">\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"height: 30px;\">\n<td style=\"height: 30px;\" width=\"300\"><strong>FRIENDLY ALIENS<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"height: 30px;\" width=\"416\"><strong>ENEMY ALIENS<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 400px;\">\n<td style=\"height: 400px;\" width=\"300\">Friendly aliens are citizens of countries that have <strong>cordial relations with India.<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"height: 400px;\" width=\"416\">Enemy aliens are citizens of countries that are at <strong>war with India<\/strong>. Enemy aliens have <strong>fewer rights than friendly aliens<\/strong> and do not have <strong>protection against arrest and detention<\/strong> (Article 22).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The citizens also owe <strong>certain duties<\/strong> towards the Indian State, including paying taxes, respecting the national flag and national anthem, and defending the country inter alia.<\/li>\n<li>The Constitution confers the following rights and privileges <u>only to citizens<\/u> of India,<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 716px;\" border=\"2\" width=\"716\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"113\"><strong>ARTICLES<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"603\"><strong>EXPLAINATIONS<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"113\">Art. 15<\/td>\n<td width=\"603\">Right against discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"113\">Art. 16<\/td>\n<td width=\"603\">Right to equality of opportunity in the matter of public employment.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"113\">Art. 19<\/td>\n<td width=\"603\">Right to freedom of speech and expression, assembly, association, movement, residence and profession.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"113\">Art. 29<\/td>\n<td width=\"603\">Cultural rights<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"113\">Art. 30<\/td>\n<td width=\"603\">Educational rights<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"113\">Right to vote<\/td>\n<td width=\"603\">In elections to the Lok Sabha and state legislative assembly.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"113\">Right to contest<\/td>\n<td width=\"603\">For the membership of the Parliament and the state legislature.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"113\">Eligibility to hold certain public offices<\/td>\n<td width=\"603\">President, Vice-President of India, judges of the SC and the HC, Governor of states, Attorney General of India and Advocate General of states.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table style=\"width: 100%;\" border=\"2\" width=\"100%\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>In India, both citizens by birth and naturalised citizens<\/strong> are eligible for the office of<strong> President<\/strong>. In contrast, <strong>in the USA, only citizens by birth<\/strong>, not naturalised citizens, are eligible for the office of President.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #6bfa75;\" border=\"2\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\"><strong>CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<ul>\n<li>The Constitution deals with citizenship from <strong><u> 5 to 11 under Part II<\/u><\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>It contains <strong>no permanent<\/strong> or <strong>detailed provisions<\/strong> in this regard.<\/li>\n<li>It identifies the persons <strong>who became citizens of India<\/strong> at its commencement on <strong>January 26, 1950<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>It does not address the <strong>acquisition or loss of citizenship<\/strong> after its commencement.<\/li>\n<li>It empowers <strong>Parliament to enact laws<\/strong> for these and other citizenship-related matters.<\/li>\n<li>Accordingly, Parliament enacted the <strong>Citizenship Act of 1955<\/strong>, which has been amended periodically.<\/li>\n<li>According to the Constitution, the following four categories of persons became citizens of India at its commencement, i.e., on January 26, 1950:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<table border=\"2\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"300\">A person who had his domicile in India and also fulfilled any one of the three conditions<\/td>\n<td width=\"406\">1. If he was <strong>born<\/strong> in India; or<\/p>\n<p>2. If <strong>either of his parents was born in India<\/strong>; or<\/p>\n<p>3. If he has been <strong>ordinarily resident in India for five years<\/strong> immediately before the commencement of the Constitution, became a citizen of India.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"300\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>A person who migrated to India from Pakistan became an Indian citizen if he or either of his parents or any of his grandparents was born in undivided India and also fulfilled any one of the two conditions &#8211;<\/td>\n<td width=\"406\">1. In case he <strong>migrated to India before July 19, 1948<\/strong> , he had been ordinarily resident in India since the date of his migration; or<\/p>\n<p>2. In case he migrated to India on or after July 19, 1948, he had been <strong>registered as a citizen of India<\/strong>. But, a person could be so registered only if he had been resident in India for <strong>six months preceding the date of his application<\/strong> for registration.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"300\">A person who, or any of whose parents or grandparents, was born in undivided India but who is ordinarily residing outside India shall become an Indian citizen if &#8211;<\/td>\n<td width=\"406\">1. He has been <strong>registered as a citizen of India by the diplomatic or consular representative of Indi<\/strong>a in the country of his residence, whether before or after the commencement of the Constitution. Thus, this provision <strong>covers the overseas Indians<\/strong> who may want to acquire Indian citizenship.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"300\">A person who migrated to Pakistan from India after March 1, 1947, but later returned to India for resettlement could become an Indian citizen &#8211;<\/td>\n<td width=\"406\">1. For this, he had to be <strong>resident in India for six months preceding<\/strong> the date of his application for registration .<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<ul>\n<li>To sum up, these provisions deal with the citizenship of \u2013\n<ol>\n<li>persons domiciled in India;<\/li>\n<li>persons migrated from Pakistan;<\/li>\n<li>persons migrated to Pakistan but later returned; and<\/li>\n<li>persons of Indian origin residing outside India.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<li>The other constitutional provisions regarding citizenship are as follows:\n<ul>\n<li>A <strong>person cannot be an Indian citizen<\/strong> or be considered an Indian citizen if they <strong>voluntarily acquire citizenship of a foreign country<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Every individual who is or is considered to be an Indian citizen will remain so, subject to <strong>any laws enacted by Parliament<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Parliament<\/strong> holds the <strong>authority to legislate on matters related to the acquisition and termination of citizenship<\/strong>, as well as other citizenship-related issues.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pw.live\/batches\/upsc\/pw-only-ias?utm_source=seo+upsc+batch&#038;utm_medium=seo+upsc&#038;utm_campaign=seo&#038;utm_id=upsc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Enroll now for UPSC Online Classes<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #6bfa75;\" border=\"2\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\"><strong>CITIZENSHIP ACT 1955<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">Anyone born in India between <strong>January 26, 1950, and July 1, 1987<\/strong>, is an <strong>Indian citizen by birth<\/strong>.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">Anyone born between <strong>July 1, 1987, and before the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2003<\/strong> came into effect, is an Indian citizen<strong> if either parent was an Indian citizen<\/strong> at the time of their birth.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>And anyone born <strong>after the commencement of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2003,<\/strong> and <strong>both of whose parents<\/strong> were Indian citizens at the time of his birth, is an Indian citizen.<\/li>\n<li>The <strong><u>only exception<\/u><\/strong> to this was <strong><u>Assam<\/u><\/strong> where, as per the 1985 Assam Accord foreigners who came to the state up to <strong><u>March 24, 1971<\/u><\/strong> were to be regularised as Indian citizens.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Section 14A <\/strong>of the Citizenship Act of 1955, sub-section (1), states that &#8220;<strong>The Central Government has the authority to compulsorily register every citizen of India and issue them a national identity card<\/strong>.&#8221;<\/li>\n<li>The procedure to prepare and maintain <strong>National Register of Indian Citizens (NRIC) <\/strong>is specified in the Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003 .<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>CITIZENSHIP ACT 1955<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>BY BIRTH<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A person born in India <strong>on or after January 26, 1950 but before July 1, 1987<\/strong> is a citizen of India by birth <strong><u>irrespective<\/u><\/strong> of the nationality of his parents.<\/li>\n<li>A person born in India <strong>on or after July 1, 1987<\/strong> is considered as a citizen of India only if <strong><u>either<\/u><\/strong> of his parents is a citizen of India at the time of his birth.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<table style=\"width: 100%;\" border=\"2\" width=\"100%\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>The <strong>children of foreign diplomats<\/strong> posted in India and enemy aliens <strong><u>cannot<\/u> acquire Indian citizenship by birth. <\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<ul>\n<li>A person born in India <strong>on or after December 3, 2004<\/strong> are considered citizens of India only if <strong><u>both<\/u><\/strong> of their parents are citizens of India or one of whose parents is a citizen of India and the other is not an illegal migrant at the time of their birth.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>BY DESCENT<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">A person born outside India between <strong>January 26, 1950, and December 10, 1992, is an Indian citizen by descent<\/strong> <strong>if their father<\/strong> was an Indian citizen at the time of their birth.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">A person born outside India<strong> on or after December 10, 1992, is considered an Indian citizen if either parent<\/strong> was an Indian citizen at the time of their birth.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">A person born outside India <strong>on or after December 3, 2004, is not considered an Indian citizen by descent unless their birth is registered<\/strong> at an Indian consulate within one year, or later with the Central Government&#8217;s permission.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">An <strong>application to register<\/strong> the birth of a minor at an Indian consulate must include a written statement from the parents confirming the <strong>child does not hold a passport from another country<\/strong>.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">A <strong>minor who is an Indian citizen by descent<\/strong> and also holds citizenship of another country must <strong>renounce the other citizenship within six months of reaching adulthood<\/strong>, or they will lose their Indian citizenship.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>BY REGISTRATION<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A person of Indian origin who is ordinarily residing in India for seven years before applying for registration;<\/li>\n<li>A person of Indian origin who is ordinarily residing outside undivided India;<\/li>\n<li>A person who is married to a citizen of India and is ordinarily residing in India for seven years before applying for registration;<\/li>\n<li>Minor children of Indian citizens;<\/li>\n<li>A person of full age and capacity whose parents are registered as Indian citizens;<\/li>\n<li>A person of full age and capacity who, or either of his parents, were citizens of independent India, residing in India for twelve months before applying for registration;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pw.live\/batches\/upsc?utm_source=seo+upsc+batch&#038;utm_medium=seo+upsc&#038;utm_campaign=seo&#038;utm_id=upsc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Enroll now for UPSC Online Course<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 100%;\" border=\"2\" width=\"100%\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>GOI may waive all or any of the above conditions<\/strong> for naturalisation in the case of a <strong>person who has rendered distinguished service <\/strong>to the science, philosophy, art, literature, world peace or human progress.<\/li>\n<li><strong style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary);\">Every naturalised citizen is required to pledge allegiance to the Constitution of India.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<ul>\n<li>An adult who has held an overseas citizen of India card for five years and has been residing in India for twelve months before applying for registration.<\/li>\n<li>An individual is considered of Indian origin if they or either of their parents were born in undivided India or in a territory that became part of India after August 15, 1947.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>IMPORTANT: All individuals falling into the aforementioned categories must take an oath of allegiance before being registered as Indian citizens.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>BY NATURALISATION<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Central Government has the authority to issue a certificate of naturalization to any individual (excluding illegal migrants) who meets the following criteria:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>They are <strong>not a subject or citizen of any country where citizens of India are barred from obtaining citizenship<\/strong> through naturalization.<\/li>\n<li>They agree to <strong>renounce their citizenship of any other country<\/strong> if their application for Indian citizenship is approved.<\/li>\n<li>They have either<strong> lived in India or served the Government of India<\/strong>, or a combination of both, continuously for <strong>twelve months<\/strong> prior to the application date<\/li>\n<li>During the fourteen years immediately preceding the said period of twelve months, he has either resided in India or been in the service of a GoI, or partly the one and partly the other, for periods amounting in the <strong>aggregate to not less than eleven years;<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>He is of good character;<\/li>\n<li>He has <strong><u>adequate knowledge of a language specified in the Eighth Schedule<\/u><\/strong> to the Constitution;<\/li>\n<li>In the event of a certificate of naturalisation being granted to him, he intends to reside in India, or to enter into or continue in, service under a GoI or under an international organisation of which India is a member or under a society, company or body of persons established in India.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>BY INCORPORATION OF TERRITORY<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>When any <strong>foreign territory is incorporated into India<\/strong>, the Government of India determines which individuals from that territory will be granted Indian citizenship.<\/li>\n<li>These individuals become citizens of India from the <strong>date specified by the government<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>For instance, when <strong>Pondicherry<\/strong> became a part of India, the GoI issued the Citizenship (Pondicherry) Order (1962), under the Citizenship Act (1955).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>SPECIAL PROVISIONS AS TO CITIZENSHIP OF PERSONS COVERED BY THE ASSAM ACCORD, 1985<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The <strong>Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 1985, added the following special provisions<\/strong> as to citizenship of persons covered by the Assam Accord (which related to the foreigners\u2019 issue):<\/li>\n<li>All persons of Indian origin arriving in Assam from Bangladesh before January 1, 1966 and continuously residing in Assam since then are considered Indian citizens from January 1, 1966.<\/li>\n<li>Those of Indian origin arriving in Assam from Bangladesh between<strong> January 1, 1966 and March 25, 1971<\/strong>, who have continuously resided in Assam since their arrival and have been identified as <strong>foreigners, must register themselves<\/strong>.\n<ul>\n<li>Such a registered person <strong>shall be deemed to be a citizen of India for all purposes<\/strong> as from the date of expiry of a <strong>period of ten years<\/strong> from the date of detection as a foreigner.<\/li>\n<li>But, in the intervening period of ten years, he shall have the same rights and obligations as a citizen of India, <strong><u>excepting the right to vote. <\/u><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>LOSS OF CITIZENSHIP<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Citizenship Act (1955) prescribes three ways of losing citizenship whether acquired under the Act or prior to it under the Constitution<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong><u>By Renunciation <\/u><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li>Any citizen of India of full age and capacity can make a declaration renouncing his Indian citizenship.<\/li>\n<li>Upon the registration of that declaration, that person ceases to be a citizen of India.<\/li>\n<li>However, if such a declaration is made during a war in which India is engaged, its registration shall be withheld by the Central Government.<\/li>\n<li>Further, when a person renounces his Indian citizenship, every minor child of that person also loses Indian citizenship.<\/li>\n<li>However, when such a child attains the age of eighteen, he may resume Indian citizenship.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pw.live\/batches\/upsc\/pw-only-ias?utm_source=seo+upsc+batch&#038;utm_medium=seo+upsc&#038;utm_campaign=seo&#038;utm_id=upsc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Enroll now for UPSC Online Classes<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<ol start=\"2\">\n<li><strong><u>By Termination <\/u><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li>When an Indian citizen <strong>voluntarily<\/strong> (consciously, knowingly and without duress, undue influence or compulsion) acquires the citizenship of another country, his Indian citizenship automatically<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<table style=\"width: 100%;\" border=\"2\" width=\"100%\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>The Constitution of India<strong>, like Canada<\/strong>, has introduced the <strong>system of single citizenship<\/strong> and provided <strong>uniform rights<\/strong> (barring some exceptions) for the people of India <strong>to promote the feeling of fraternity and unity among them<\/strong> and <strong>to build an integrated Indian nation.<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<ul>\n<li>This provision, however, <strong>does not apply during a war<\/strong> in which India is engaged.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<ol start=\"3\">\n<li><strong><u>By Deprivation <\/u><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>It is a <u>compulsory termination<\/u> of Indian citizenship by the Central government, if: <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>the citizen has <strong>obtained the citizenship by fraud:<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>the citizen has <strong>shown disloyalty to the Constitution<\/strong> of India;<\/li>\n<li>the citizen has <strong>unlawfully traded or communicated with the enemy<\/strong> during a war;<\/li>\n<li>the citizen has, within five years after registration or naturalisation, been <strong>imprisoned in any country for two years;<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>the citizen has been <strong>ordinarily resident out of India for seven years continuously. <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>RATIONALE BEHIND SINGLE CITIZENSHIP<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Indian Constitution is federal and envisages a dual polity (Centre and states), but it provides for <strong>only a single citizenship<\/strong> &#8211; the Indian citizenship.<\/li>\n<li>In India, citizens owe allegiance only to the Union. There isn&#8217;t a different citizenship for each state (unlike USA which adopts dual citizenship).<\/li>\n<li><strong>In the USA<\/strong>, every individual is a citizen of both the<strong> country and the specific state<\/strong> they belong to. So, they pledge <strong>allegiance to both<\/strong> and have rights from both the national and state governments.<\/li>\n<li>This system creates the <strong>problem of discrimination<\/strong>. A state may discriminate in favour of its citizens in matters like right to vote, right to hold public offices, right to practice professions etc.<\/li>\n<li>Problem of discrimination <strong>avoided<\/strong> in the system of single citizenship of India.<\/li>\n<li>In India, regardless of the state of birth or residence, all citizens have equal political and civil rights across the country, without discrimination.<\/li>\n<li>However, there are some exceptions to this general rule of non-discrimination:\n<ul>\n<li>The <strong><u>Parliament<\/u><\/strong> (under Art. 16) can prescribe residence within a state or UT as a condition for certain employments or appointments in that state or union territory, or local authority or other authority within that state or UT.<\/li>\n<li>The Constitution <strong>(under Art. 15) prohibits discrimination against any citizen <\/strong>on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth only and <strong><u>not on the ground of residence<\/u><\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\"><strong>States have the authority<\/strong> to offer special benefits or prioritize their residents in areas not covered by the rights granted to Indian citizens by the Constitution.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">The <strong>freedom of movement and residence<\/strong> (Article 19) is limited to safeguarding the interests of scheduled tribes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">This is done to protect the distinctive culture, for any state <\/span><strong style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">except<\/strong> <strong style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Prior 2019, the legislature of the erstwhile <u>state of Jammu and Kashmir<\/u> was empowered to (based on <u> 35-A<\/u>):<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>define the persons<\/strong> who are permanent residents of the state;<\/li>\n<li><strong>confer any special rights and privileges<\/strong> on such permanent residents as respects:<\/li>\n<li><strong>employment<\/strong> under the state government;<\/li>\n<li><strong>acquisition <\/strong>of immovable property in the state;<\/li>\n<li><strong>settlement<\/strong> in the state; and<\/li>\n<li>right to <strong>scholarships <\/strong>and such other forms of aid provided by the government.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>In 2019, this special status was<\/strong> <strong>abolished<\/strong> by a new presidential order known as \u201cThe Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 2019\u201d.\n<ul>\n<li>This order <strong>replaced the previous 1954 order<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>However, India has been experiencing communal riots, class conflicts, caste wars, linguistic clashes, and ethnic disputes.<\/li>\n<li>The dream of the <strong>founding fathers and the Constitution-makers<\/strong> to create a united and integrated Indian nation has not been fully achieved.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pw.live\/batches\/upsc?utm_source=seo+upsc+batch&#038;utm_medium=seo+upsc&#038;utm_campaign=seo&#038;utm_id=upsc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Enroll now for UPSC Online Course<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>RATIONALE BEHIND SINGLE CITIZENSHIP<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">The Diaspora consists of people <strong>who can trace their roots to India<\/strong> or are Indian citizens living abroad, either temporarily or permanently.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">It includes <strong>Non-Resident Indians<\/strong> (NRIs),<strong> Persons of Indian Origin<\/strong> (PIOs), and <strong>Overseas Citizens of India<\/strong> (OCIs).<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\"><strong>In 2015, PIO and OCI card holders were combined into the OCI category.<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\"><strong>Indian migration on a large scale began during British rule<\/strong>, with indentured laborers sent to former colonies like <strong>Fiji, Kenya, <\/strong>and<strong> Malaysia<\/strong>, known as <strong>Girmitiya people<\/strong>.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">Today, the Indian diaspora is over 20 million strong, showcasing the diverse social, ethnic, and cultural heritage of its homeland.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>OVERSEAS CITIZENSHIP OF INDIA (OCI)<\/strong><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 100%;\" border=\"2\" width=\"100%\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Someone who has OCI status isn&#8217;t an Indian citizen<\/strong>. They can&#8217;t vote in India, run for elections, or hold any important government positions.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table style=\"height: 21px; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #6bfa75;\" border=\"2\">\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"height: 21px;\">\n<td style=\"width: 100%; height: 21px;\"><strong><u>ABOUT OCI SCHEME<\/u><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">The OCI Scheme was introduced by amending the<strong> Citizenship Act of 1955 in August 2005<\/strong>.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">The OCI card was created to give foreign citizens of Indian origin a<strong> status similar to citizenship<\/strong>.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">Foreign nationals who were eligible for Indian citizenship on <strong>January 26, 1950<\/strong>, or were citizens after that date, or were from a territory that became part of India after August 15, 1947, can register for OCI.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\"><strong>Minor children<\/strong> of such individuals are also eligible for OCI.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">However, if the applicant is a <strong>citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh, they cannot apply for OCI<\/strong>.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>OCI have been granted <strong><u>statutory rights<\/u><\/strong> under the Citizenship Act, 1955. Therefore, the nature of rights granted <strong><u>depends on the policy of <a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/part-iii-central-government\/\">Central government<\/a><\/u><\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>A registered OCI receives a visa for multiple entries, for various purposes, and life-long visa for visiting India.<\/li>\n<li>OCI is entitled to general <strong><u>parity <\/u><\/strong>with Non- Resident Indians (NRIs) in respect of all facilities available to them in economic, financial and educational fields <strong><u>except<\/u><\/strong> in matters relating to the <strong><u>acquisition of agricultural<\/u><\/strong> or <strong><u>plantation properties<\/u><\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>A registered OCI is <strong><u>exempted<\/u><\/strong> from registration with Foreign Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) or Foreign Registration Officer for any length of stay in India.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>WHAT ARE THE ADDITIONAL BENEFITS OF OCI?<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Apart from the benefits of PIO, the <strong>OCI can attain Indian citizenship and<\/strong> <strong>then live in India for a period of one year<\/strong> including short breaks, if they remain an OCI for 5 years.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<table style=\"width: 100%;\" border=\"2\" width=\"100%\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Both OCI and PIO cardholders are unable to vote, work for the government, or buy agricultural or farmland. They also cannot run for public office or travel to restricted areas without permission.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">OCI cardholders have the ability to <strong>open special bank accounts<\/strong> in India, similar to NRIs, and <strong>make investments<\/strong>. <\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">They can also purchase <strong>non-farm property<\/strong> and have ownership rights.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">OCI cardholders are also eligible to apply for a <strong>driver&#8217;s license <\/strong>and<strong> PAN card<\/strong>.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>They get the same economic, financial and educational benefits like NRIs and they <strong>can also adopt children.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>NON-RESIDENTIAL INDIANS (NRI)<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>An Indian citizen who is ordinarily residing outside India and holds an Indian Passport.<\/li>\n<li>A person is considered NRI if She is <strong><u>not in India for 182 days or more<\/u><\/strong> during the financial year Or;<\/li>\n<li>If he\/she is in India for <strong><u>less than 365 days during the 4 years preceding<\/u><\/strong> that year and <strong><u>less than 60 days in that year.<\/u><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pw.live\/batches\/upsc\/pw-only-ias?utm_source=seo+upsc+batch&#038;utm_medium=seo+upsc&#038;utm_campaign=seo&#038;utm_id=upsc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Enroll now for UPSC Online Classes<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Person of Indian Origin<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>There are <strong>over <u>30 million<\/u> overseas Indians<\/strong> living abroad and the <strong>remittance of close to <u>70 billion dollars annually<\/u> by overseas Indians (one of the largest in the world)<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>A Person of Indian Origin (PIO) means a foreign citizen (<strong><u>except<\/u><\/strong> a national of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Iran, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Nepal)\n<ul>\n<li>Who at any time <strong>held an Indian passport or<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Who or either of their parents\/ grandparents\/ great grandparents were born and permanently resident in India<\/strong> as defined in Government of India Act, 1935 and other territories that became part of India thereafter or<\/li>\n<li>Who is a spouse of a citizen of India or a PIO.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>PIO category was <u>merged<\/u> with OCI category in 2015.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<table border=\"2\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"200\"><strong>NRIs<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"200\"><strong>PIOs<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"306\"><strong>OCIs<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"200\">Who has temporarily emigrated to another country for six months.<\/td>\n<td width=\"200\">First implemented in 2002 as a benefit to foreign nationals who could establish at least a third generation tie to Indian origin<\/td>\n<td width=\"306\">Implemented in 2005, carried more benefits than the PIO card, and is valid for the holder\u2019s lifetime. In 2015, the PIO scheme was withdrawn by the Government of India and was merged with the OCI.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table style=\"width: 100%;\" border=\"2\" width=\"100%\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>A Non-Resident Indian (NRI) is a citizen of India whereas PIOs and OCI card holders are not citizens, but are people who want to stay connected and involved with India more closely.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><strong>WHAT WERE THE BENEFITS OF PIO?<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A PIO cardholder <strong>doesn\u2019t need a visa <\/strong>to visit India.<\/li>\n<li>The holder also <strong>doesn\u2019t require a student or employment visa<\/strong> to acquire employment or academic opportunities in India.<\/li>\n<li>The holder was <strong>exempted from registering <\/strong>at the foreigner regional registration office (FRRO) during the duration of stay in India.<\/li>\n<li>The holder also <strong>enjoys parity with NRIs <\/strong>in concern to economic, financial and educational matters like property transfer or acquisition, holding, disposal, investment, admission of children in educational institutions under general category quota for NRIs.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Separate immigration counters<\/strong> are provided at all International airports.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PIO AND OCI<\/strong><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 100%;\" border=\"2\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 23.9189%;\" width=\"180\"><strong>PARAMETERS<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 38.1081%;\" width=\"281\"><strong>Person of Indian Origin (PIO Card Holder)<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 36.3514%;\" width=\"246\"><strong>Overseas citizens of India (OCI)<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 23.9189%;\" width=\"180\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>Who<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 38.1081%;\" width=\"281\">A person registered as PIO card holder under the Ministry of Home Affairs\u2019 scheme dated <strong>19-08-2002<\/strong>.<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 36.3514%;\" width=\"246\">A person registered as Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) under the Citizenship Act, 1955. The OCI scheme is operational from <strong>02-12-2005.<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 23.9189%;\" width=\"180\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>Eligibility<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 38.1081%;\" width=\"281\">Who at any time held an Indian passport; or<\/p>\n<p>He or either of his parents or grandparents or great grandparents was born in and was permanently resident in India as defined in the GoI Act, 1935 and other territories that became part of India thereafter provided neither was at any time a citizen of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka; or<\/p>\n<p>He is a spouse of a citizen of India or a person of Indian origin as Mentioned above.<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 36.3514%;\" width=\"246\"><strong>A foreign national who \u2013 <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Was eligible to become a<br \/>\ncitizen of India on 26-01-1950; or<\/p>\n<p>Was a citizen of India on or at any time after 26-01-1950; or<\/p>\n<p>Belonged to a territory that became part of India<br \/>\nafter 15-08-1947; or<\/p>\n<p>His\/her children and grandchildren; or<\/p>\n<p>minor children of such person.<\/p>\n<p>However, if the applicant had ever been a citizen<br \/>\nof <strong>Pakistan<\/strong> or <strong>Bangladesh<\/strong>, he\/she <strong>will not be eligible for OCI.<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 23.9189%;\" width=\"180\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>Which Nationals are Eligible<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 38.1081%;\" width=\"281\">PIOs of all countries <strong><u>except<\/u><\/strong> Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 36.3514%;\" width=\"246\">PIOs of all countries <strong><u>except <\/u>Pakistan<\/strong> and <strong>Bangladesh<\/strong>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 23.9189%;\" width=\"180\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>What Benefits one Entitled to?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 38.1081%;\" width=\"281\">Shall not require a separate visa to visit India.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Will be exempt<\/strong> from the requirements of registration if his\/her stay on any single visit in India does not exceed 180 days. In the event of continuous stay in India exceeding 180 days, he\/she shall have to get himself\/ herself registered within 30 days of the expiry of 180 days with the concerned FRRO\/FRO.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Parity with NRIs<\/strong> in respect of all facilities available to the latter in the economic, financial and educational fields except in matters relating to the acquisition of agricultural \/ plantation properties.<\/p>\n<p><strong>No parity<\/strong> shall be allowed in the sphere of political rights.<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 36.3514%;\" width=\"246\"><strong>A multiple entry<\/strong>, multi-purpose lifelong visa for visiting India.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Exemption<\/strong> from registration with local police Authority for any length of stay in India.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Parity with NRIs<\/strong> in respect of economic, financial and educational fields except in relation to the acquisition of agricultural or plantation<br \/>\nproperties.<\/p>\n<p><strong>No parity<\/strong> shall be allowed in the sphere of political rights.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 23.9189%;\" width=\"180\"><strong>Does he\/she Require Visa for Visiting India?<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 38.1081%;\" width=\"281\">Can visit India without visa for <strong>15 years<\/strong> from the date of issue of PIO card.<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 36.3514%;\" width=\"246\">Can visit India without visa for <strong>life long<\/strong>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 23.9189%;\" width=\"180\"><strong>Is he required to register with local police authorities in India?<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 38.1081%;\" width=\"281\">Yes \u2013 one time when the stay in India exceeds 180 days for the first time.<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 36.3514%;\" width=\"246\">No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 23.9189%;\" width=\"180\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>What activities can be taken under in India?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 38.1081%;\" width=\"281\"><strong>All activities except<\/strong> mountaineering, missionary, research work and visiting protected \/ restricted areas which require specific permit.<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 36.3514%;\" width=\"246\"><strong>All activities except<\/strong> mountaineering, missionary, research work and visiting protected \/ restricted areas which require specific permit.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 23.9189%;\" width=\"180\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>How can one acquire Indian?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 38.1081%;\" width=\"281\">He\/she has to reside in India for <strong>minimum 7 years<\/strong> before making application for granting Indian citizenship.<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 36.3514%;\" width=\"246\">He\/she may be granted Indian citizenship <strong>after 5<br \/>\nyears from date of registration<\/strong> provided he\/she stays for one year in India before making application.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 23.9189%;\" width=\"180\"><strong>Can it be cancelled?<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 38.1081%;\" width=\"281\">Yes \u2013 on certain grounds<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 36.3514%;\" width=\"246\">Yes \u2013 on certain grounds.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><strong>IMPORTANCE OF OVERSEAS INDIAN CITIZENS (OCI)<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>One of the biggest benefits of connecting with the<strong> 30-million-strong Indian diaspora<\/strong> has been in terms of <strong>remittances<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Remittances close to 69 billion dollar<\/strong> make an invaluable contribution by aiding in socio-economic development, poverty reduction and changes in consumption behaviour in rural areas.<\/li>\n<li>NRIs often donate to <strong>local charities<\/strong> because of strong <strong>cultural and emotional connections<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>The diaspora acts as &#8216;<strong>agents of change<\/strong>,&#8217; <strong>boosting investment<\/strong>,<strong> industrial growth<\/strong>, international trade, and tourism.<\/li>\n<li>Building strong ties with an active diaspora helps accelerate the tech sector.<\/li>\n<li>A large emigrant group supports &#8220;<strong>diaspora diplomacy<\/strong>,&#8221; acting as &#8220;<strong>bridge-builders<\/strong>&#8221; between their home and adopted countries.<\/li>\n<li>The <strong>Indo-US Civil Nuclear Deal<\/strong> is an example where Indian Americans successfully lobbied for the agreement.<\/li>\n<li>The migration of less-skilled workers to<strong> West Asia<\/strong> has reduced <strong>hidden unemployment<\/strong> in India.<\/li>\n<li>The success of skilled workers abroad has improved India&#8217;s global image.<\/li>\n<li>Diaspora investments in India are often <strong>long-term<\/strong> because they want to establish <strong>lasting connections<\/strong>, unlike non-diaspora foreign investments.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pw.live\/batches\/upsc?utm_source=seo+upsc+batch&#038;utm_medium=seo+upsc&#038;utm_campaign=seo&#038;utm_id=upsc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Enroll now for UPSC Online Course<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong><u>Outside India<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\"><strong>Rising hate speech<\/strong> and crimes against the Indian diaspora due to <strong>racism and communalism<\/strong> have increased with the rise of nationalist governments in many countries.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\"><strong>Fear of losing jobs<\/strong> and<strong> educational opportunities<\/strong> to outsiders has led to stricter visa rules in countries like the <strong>USA <\/strong>and<strong> Australia<\/strong> due to increasing anti-globalization sentiments.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\"><strong>Sectarian crises, terrorism, <\/strong>and<strong> wars<\/strong> in Middle Eastern countries (Yemen, Oman, Libya, Syria, etc.) make the Indian diaspora vulnerable to attacks.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">Local laws, such as <strong>Saudi Arabia&#8217;s Nitaqat Law<\/strong> (requiring one local to be hired for every 10 migrants), have <strong>negatively impacted<\/strong> the employment prospects of the Indian working class in Saudi Arabia.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><u>In India<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Out Migration results in <strong>substantial drop in the supply of professionals<\/strong> for running institutions and organisations in India.<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\"><strong>Remittances aren&#8217;t always used beneficially<\/strong>. <\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">For example, India has faced issues with <strong>foreign funding for extremist movements<\/strong> like the Khalistan movement.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\"><strong>NRIs cannot directly set up firms in India<\/strong>, preventing the country from benefiting from their entrepreneurial skills.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">The <strong>E-Migrate system and Minimum Referral Wages policy<\/strong> have hurt India, as companies now prefer hiring labor from countries like Bangladesh and Pakistan.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\"><strong>Poor schemes<\/strong> and <strong>ineffective implementation<\/strong> hinder the diaspora&#8217;s contribution to India&#8217;s growth.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>WAY FORWARD<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>India should create a <strong>rotation program for top NRI<\/strong> scientists, engineers, doctors, managers, and professionals to work in <strong>public sector organizations<\/strong> for a short time, <strong>similar to the VAJRA Scheme<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>India should actively encourage NRIs to invest in <strong>rural development projects<\/strong> by offering attractive interest rates on deposits.<\/li>\n<li>India could establish a dedicated <strong>Minister-of-State level department for NRI<\/strong> affairs, similar to the Veterans&#8217; Administration in the US.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Social media<\/strong> has made it easier and cheaper for the Indian diaspora to stay connected with family and friends, strengthening their ties to India.<\/li>\n<li>The Indian government should leverage this strong bond for the nation&#8217;s greater good.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>NATIONAL REGISTER OF CITIZENS (NRC)<\/strong><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 100%;\" border=\"2\" width=\"100%\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Purpose of NRC :<\/strong> To separate \u201c<strong>illegal<\/strong>\u201d immigrants from \u201c<strong>legitimate<\/strong>\u201d residents of Assam.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Nodal Agency for NRC :<\/strong> <strong>Registrar General<\/strong> and <strong>Census Commissioner<\/strong> India.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><strong><u>About NRC <\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>It is a <strong>list of all bona fide Indian citizens of Assam<\/strong>, the <strong><u>only state<\/u><\/strong> with such a document. Other states such as Tripura are also demanding for NRC.<\/li>\n<li>The National Register of Citizens is a list of all the legal citizens of the country, with necessary documents.<\/li>\n<li>In 2014, the <strong>Supreme Court<\/strong> asked the state government to update the <strong>1951 NRC<\/strong> in a <strong>time-bound manner<\/strong>. The present exercise is being conducted <strong>under the supervision of the Supreme Court.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Earlier, following the Supreme Court\u2019s order, the government conducted the NRC updating exercise in <strong>Assam,<\/strong> and as a result, over <strong>19 lakh applicants<\/strong> failed to make it onto the NRC list.<\/li>\n<li>It will include people listed in any electoral roll as of midnight on <strong>March 24, 1971,<\/strong> or in the <strong>1951 National Register of Citizens<\/strong>, and their descendants.<\/li>\n<li>The <strong><u>Assam<\/u><\/strong> is the <strong><u>only exception <\/u><\/strong><u>to provisions of citizenship act 1955<\/u><strong><u>, <\/u><\/strong>where <u>as per the<\/u><strong><u> 1985 Assam Accord <\/u><\/strong><u>foreigners who came to the state up to <strong>NATIONAL REGISTER OF of Citizens (NRC)<\/strong> were to be regularised as Indian citizens<\/u>.<\/li>\n<li>The <strong>verification process<\/strong> included <strong>house-to-house checks, document authentication, family tree investigations<\/strong> to eliminate false parenthood claims, and separate hearings for married women.<\/li>\n<li>To implement <strong>Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019<\/strong>, citizens and illegal migrants have to be identified. So, a National Register Citizens (NRC) is the necessary first step.<\/li>\n<li>To demonstrate <strong>their or their ancestors&#8217; presence before 1971<\/strong>, applicants in Assam had to provide any one of <strong>14 available documents<\/strong>:\n<ul>\n<li>1951 NRC; or<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">Electoral rolls up to March 24, 1971, or <\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">Any of 12 other types of documents, such as land and tenancy records, citizenship papers, passports, and certificates from boards or universities.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pw.live\/batches\/upsc\/pw-only-ias?utm_source=seo+upsc+batch&#038;utm_medium=seo+upsc&#038;utm_campaign=seo&#038;utm_id=upsc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Enroll now for UPSC Online Classes<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>ASSAM ACCORD (1985) AND NRC IN ASSAM<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>It was a <strong>Memorandum of Settlement<\/strong> signed between representatives of the <strong>GoI and the leaders of the Assam Movement<\/strong> in New Delhi on 15 August 1985.<\/li>\n<li>The <strong>Citizenship Act of 1955 was amended after the Assam Accord<\/strong> as per which:\n<ul>\n<li>Foreigners who entered Assam <strong>between 1951 and 1961 would receive full citizenship, including voting rights<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Those who entered <strong>after 1971 would be deported<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Those who entered between <strong>1961 and 1971<\/strong> would be <strong>denied voting rights for ten years<\/strong> but would have all other citizenship rights.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>The <strong>NRC was updated in Assam<\/strong> according to the Assam Accord and is <strong>unique to Assam<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<table style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #6bfa75;\" border=\"2\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\"><strong>WHAT NEXT FOR EXCLUDED PEOPLES?<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Assam government<\/strong> has assured people that those who find their names missing from the final NRC will not immediately be termed &#8220;<strong>foreigners<\/strong>&#8221; or <strong>illegal immigrants<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Such people will be allowed to register protests with the Foreigners Tribunal. They can approach the <strong>High Court<\/strong> or even the <strong>Supreme Court<\/strong> for further appeal in the matter.<\/li>\n<li>The state government will provide <strong>legal aid to poor people<\/strong> whose names are missing from the list.<\/li>\n<li>Under the <strong>Foreigners Act of 1946<\/strong>, the <strong>burden of proving whether an individual is a citizen or not, lies upon the individual applicant<\/strong> and not on the state.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>IMPACT OF NRC<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">An updated NRC will clarify the <strong>number of illegal migrants in Assam<\/strong> and the rest of the country.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">It will provide <strong>verified data for informed debates<\/strong> and policy-making.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">The updated NRC is expected to <strong>discourage future illegal migrants<\/strong> from Bangladesh from entering Assam.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">The draft NRC has already created the impression that staying in Assam without valid documentation can lead to<strong> detention, jail, or deportation<\/strong>.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">Illegal migrants will find it <strong>harder to obtain Indian identity documents<\/strong> and access rights and benefits meant for Indian citizens.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\"><strong>Bengali-speaking people in Assam<\/strong>, often suspected of being Bangladeshis, will find<strong> relief if their names are included in the NRC<\/strong>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>CHALLENGES<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Flawed Process:<\/strong> People who found themselves on the first list didn\u2019t find their names on the second. Even the family of a former President of India, an ex-army man&#8217;s, was not mentioned on the list.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Parallel processes of NRC,<\/strong> the <strong>voters list of the Election Commission<\/strong>, and the <strong>Foreigners\u2019 Tribunals<\/strong> have led to utter chaos, as none of these agencies are sharing information with each other.<\/li>\n<li>The <strong>draft NRC allows for re-verification<\/strong>, but it will be challenging to physically verify all the excluded individuals due to their large number.<\/li>\n<li><strong>&#8216;Non-citizens&#8217; can seek judicial relief<\/strong> to claim their citizenship, which could overwhelm an already overburdened judiciary.<\/li>\n<li>There is uncertainty about the future of those excluded from the list.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Bangladesh denies<\/strong> that these people are its citizens and refuses to acknowledge the issue of illegal immigration. Without a formal agreement,<\/li>\n<li>India cannot <strong>forcibly return illegal migrants<\/strong> to Bangladesh.<\/li>\n<li>This issue could harm <strong>India&#8217;s relations with Dhaka<\/strong> and damage India&#8217;s international reputation.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Large-scale detention camps<\/strong> are not a viable option for a civilised democracy like India.<\/li>\n<li>Another option is to issue <strong>work permits<\/strong>, allowing limited legal rights to work but no political rights. The <strong>fate of the children<\/strong> of such individuals remains unclear.<\/li>\n<li>With ongoing uncertainty, the NRC appears to be a &#8220;<strong>process without an end.<\/strong>\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>WAY FORWARD<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\"><strong>India<\/strong>, following the philosophy of &#8216;<strong>Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam<\/strong>&#8216;, should avoid quick decisions that could disenfranchise its citizens and contradict its long-standing values.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">The Union Government needs to clearly <strong>outline the plan for those excluded<\/strong> from the final NRC list.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">Political parties should avoid using the <strong>NRC process for electoral gains<\/strong>, as it could lead to communal violence.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">A <strong>strong legal support system<\/strong> is needed for the four million people who must prove their citizenship with limited resources..<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>DOUBTFUL OR D-VOTERS<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Doubtful or D-voters are people who have been <strong>disenfranchised by the government<\/strong> due to questions about their citizenship. Their inclusion will depend on the decision of the <strong>Foreigners Tribunal<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pw.live\/batches\/upsc?utm_source=seo+upsc+batch&#038;utm_medium=seo+upsc&#038;utm_campaign=seo&#038;utm_id=upsc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Enroll now for UPSC Online Course<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #6bfa75;\" border=\"2\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\"><strong><u>FOREIGNERS TRIBUNALS<\/u><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><strong><u>CONTEXT<\/u><\/strong> &#8211; Recently, there was an amendment to the <strong>Foreigners (Tribunals) Order, 1964<\/strong>, giving district magistrates in all States and Union Territories the authority to establish Foreigners tribunals.<\/p>\n<p><strong><u>About Foreigners Tribunals <\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>These were established through Foreigners (Tribunal) Order, 1964, of <strong><u>Ministry of Home Affairs<\/u> under Foreigners Act, 1946. <\/strong><\/li>\n<li>They were setup to decide whether a person staying illegally in India is a foreigner or not, as per Foreigners Act.<\/li>\n<li>The recently amended order, also empowers <strong>individuals<\/strong> to approach the Tribunals. Earlier, only the <strong>State administration<\/strong> could bring a suspect to the Tribunal.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>CENSUS (DECENNIAL)<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The census gathers information about the <strong>size, distribution, and various characteristics<\/strong> of the country&#8217;s population.<\/li>\n<li>A systematic and modern population census began <strong>non-synchronously between 1865 and 1872<\/strong> in different parts of India.<\/li>\n<li>The Decennial Population Census started in 1872 under <strong>British Viceroy Lord Mayo<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>However, the <strong>first synchronized census<\/strong> in India occurred in <strong>1881<\/strong>, and censuses have been conducted every ten years since then.<\/li>\n<li>India&#8217;s last census was in 2011 when the population reached <strong>1.21 billion<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>The Indian Census is <strong>one of the world&#8217;s largest administrative tasks<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>CENSUS 2021<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The <strong><u>Census Act, 1948<\/u><\/strong> and the <strong><u>Census Rules, 1990<\/u><\/strong> provide the legal framework for conduct of Census.<\/li>\n<li>Census 2021 will be <strong><u>16th Census<\/u><\/strong> in the country.<\/li>\n<li>The Census 2021 will be conducted in <strong>18 languages<\/strong> out of the 22 scheduled languages (under 8th schedule) and English, while Census 2011 was in 16 of the 22 scheduled languages declared at that time.<\/li>\n<li>The option of <strong><u>\u201cOther\u201d<\/u><\/strong> under the gender category will be <strong><u>changed to \u201cThird Gender\u201d.<\/u><\/strong><\/li>\n<li>There were roughly <strong>5 lakh people under &#8220;other&#8221; category in 2011<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>The next census of India to be conducted in 2021 with March 1, 2021 as the reference date, <strong><u>except<\/u><\/strong> for the states of <strong>Jammu &#038; Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>The Census data would be available by the year 2024-25.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>NEW INITIATIVES TAKEN FOR THE CENSUS 2021<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">The<strong> use of a mobile app for the first time<\/strong> will help collect data.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">People can now complete their census forms online during the <strong>Population Enumeration<\/strong> phase.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">The <strong>Census Monitoring &#038; Management Portal<\/strong> will be a central hub for all officers and officials involved in Census activities, offering support in multiple languages.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">A <strong>code directory<\/strong> will be introduced to make the process more efficient.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>HOW IS CENSUS DIFFERENT FROM NPR?<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Census <strong>doesn\u2019t ask for individual identity details<\/strong>, and is a <strong>macro exercise<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>The NPR gathers identity information from each person.<\/li>\n<li>Census data is <strong>protected by a confidentiality clause<\/strong>. The government has committed <strong>that it will not reveal information received<\/strong> from an individual for the headcount.<\/li>\n<li>Certain set of data from the Census 2011 is still being released.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>ISSUE OF CASTE DATA COLLECTION<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\"><strong>In 2018<\/strong>, the <strong>Ministry of Home Affairs<\/strong> announced that the <strong>Other Backward Class<\/strong> (OBC) category would be included in the 2021 Census.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">However, the <strong>Registrar-General of India<\/strong> (RGI) stated that only SC\/ST categories will be included due to the unreliable nature of collecting caste data, which affects the credibility of the results.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">For example, individuals belonging to the Yadav caste may write variations like Yadu or Yaduvanshi on the form, with no standardization. Sometimes, people even confuse caste with gotra.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">The <strong>caste data collected in 2011<\/strong> as part of the <strong>Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) has not yet been released by the Centre<\/strong>.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">Even a committee formed under former vice-chairman of <\/span><strong style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">NITI Aayog, Arvind Panagariya<\/strong><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\"> to find a way to publish the SECC-2011 data failed to provide any tangible outcome.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>The <strong>last caste-based census was carried out by the British in <u>1931<\/u>.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pw.live\/batches\/upsc\/pw-only-ias?utm_source=seo+upsc+batch&#038;utm_medium=seo+upsc&#038;utm_campaign=seo&#038;utm_id=upsc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Enroll now for UPSC Online Classes<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>NATIONAL POPULATION REGISTAR (NPR)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><u>CONTEXT<\/u><\/strong> &#8211; Recently, government has decided to prepare a National Population Register (NPR) by September 2020 to lay the foundation for rolling out a citizens&#8217; register across the country.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Origin of NPR:<\/strong> A group of ministers created after the Kargil war recommended <strong>compulsory registration of all residents in India,<\/strong> to facilitate the preparation of a national register of citizens and <strong>curb illegal migration. <\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>The NPR project wants to gather<strong> biometric<\/strong> and <strong>demographic information<\/strong> from <strong>every &#8220;usual resident&#8221; of India<\/strong> to build a complete identity database.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>NPR lists people considered &#8220;<strong>usual residents<\/strong>,&#8221; defined as those who have lived in an area for <strong>at least six months or plan to stay for the next six months<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>NPR is created under laws from the <strong>Citizenship Act of 1955<\/strong> and the <strong>Citizenship Rules of 2003<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>In 2004<\/strong>, the Citizenship Act was updated with Section 14A, allowing the government to register all Indian citizens and provide them with National Identity Cards, which states:\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">The government must register <strong>all Indian citizens<\/strong> and give them <strong>National Identity Cards<\/strong>.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">A <strong>National Register of Indian Citizens<\/strong> (NRIC) or National Register of Citizens (NRC) may be set up by the Central Government through a <strong>National Registration Authority<\/strong> (NRA).<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">All residents must register under the NPR.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>The NPR registration will happen alongside the <strong>first phase of the 2021 Census<\/strong>, managed by the Office of the Registrar General of India under the Home Ministry.<\/li>\n<li>There&#8217;s a plan to issue Resident Identity Cards (RIC) to NPR residents aged<strong> 18 <\/strong>and <strong>above<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>PREPARATION OF NATIONAL POPULATION REGISTER<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>NPR will be prepared at National, State, District, Sub-District, local (Village or Sub-Town) level under provisions of <strong>Citizenship Act 1955<\/strong> and <strong>Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>DATA COLLECTED IN NPR<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The NPR will gather <strong>demographic information<\/strong> and <strong>biometric data<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>There are <strong>15 types of demographic data<\/strong>, including things like name, birthplace, education, and job.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Biometric data will rely on<\/strong> <strong>Aadhaar<\/strong>, so it will ask for Aadhaar details.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Signing up for the NPR is mandatory<\/strong>, but providing extra information like <strong>PAN, Aadhaar, driver&#8217;s license, <\/strong>and<strong> voter ID<\/strong> is optional.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>NPR vs AADHAR<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The information gathered in NPR will be sent to UIDAI for removing duplicates and giving out Aadhaar Numbers.<\/li>\n<li>Except for Assam, where the NRC is already done, all other places will be part of the NPR.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Mandatory vs Voluntary:<\/strong> Registering with the NPR is compulsory for all Indian residents, but signing up with UIDAI is optional.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Number vs. Register:<\/strong> UID will give out a number, while NPR leads to the <strong>National Citizens Register<\/strong>. So, it&#8217;s just a register.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Authentication vs. Identification:<\/strong>\u00a0The UID number will serve as an authenticator during transactions. The National Resident Card will signify resident status and citizenship.<\/li>\n<li><strong>UIDAI vs. RGI:<\/strong> The UIDAI signs people up for the UID scheme, while the RGI signs people up for the NPR scheme.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Door to Door Canvassing vs. Centre Enrollment:<\/strong>\u00a0Individuals will have to go to an enrollment center and register for the UID, while the NPR will carry out part of the enrollment of individuals through door to door canvassing.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Prior Documentation vs. Census Material:<\/strong> The UID will use existing documents and IDs, while the <strong>NPR will use census data<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>NPR DATA<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>NPR data collection started in<strong> 2010<\/strong>, with<strong> West Bengal<\/strong> being one of the five states using it for planning beneficiary schemes.<\/li>\n<li>In 2015, NPR was updated by adding <strong>biometric details from Aadhaar<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Data for NPR was gathered <strong>door-to-door, covering categories like age, marital status, birthplace, nationality<\/strong>, address, occupation, and education.<\/li>\n<li>The<strong> Socio-Economic Caste Census<\/strong> (SECC) used NPR data.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Household NPR data<\/strong> was used to improve the targeting of schemes like Ayushman Bharat, Jan Dhan Yojana, Prime Minister Awas Yojana, Ujjwala Yojana, and Saubhagya.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Caste data collected in 2011 as part of SECC<\/strong>, along with Census data, is yet to be released due to errors.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pw.live\/batches\/upsc?utm_source=seo+upsc+batch&#038;utm_medium=seo+upsc&#038;utm_campaign=seo&#038;utm_id=upsc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Enroll now for UPSC Online Course<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>REGISTER GENERAL AND CENSUS COMMISSIONER OF INDIA<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">It manages <strong>demographic surveys<\/strong> in India, such as the <strong>Census and Linguistic Survey<\/strong>.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">It operates under the <strong>Union Ministry of Home Affairs<\/strong> (MHA).<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">The Registrar General and Census Commissioner (RGCC) of India position is typically held by a <strong>civil servant with the rank of Joint Secretary<\/strong> to the Government of India.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>He <strong>heads the Census organisation<\/strong> (mentioned in entry 69 of seventh schedule of Constitution), which functions under the aegis of <strong>Union Ministry of Home Affairs<\/strong> (MHA).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>CITIZENSHIP AMENDEMNT ACT 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><u>Context:<\/u><\/strong> The Parliament recently passed the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019, which changes the Citizenship Act, 1955.<\/p>\n<p><strong>BACKGROUND<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\"><strong>Article 11<\/strong> of the constitution empowers the Parliament to make any provision with respect to the <strong>acquisition and termination of citizenship<\/strong> and all other matters relating to citizenship.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">The Citizenship (Amendment) Act of 2003 says that &#8220;<strong>illegal migrants<\/strong>&#8221; can&#8217;t apply for citizenship through registration or naturalization.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\"><strong>According to Section 2(1)(b)<\/strong> of the Citizenship Act, 1955, an &#8220;illegal migrant&#8221; is someone who,<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li>Enters the country without valid travel documents, like a passport and visa,<\/li>\n<li>Enters with valid documents, but stays beyond the permitted time period.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><u>KEY PROVISIONS OF THE CITIZENSHIP AMENDMENT ACT (CAA), 2019<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Key parts of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019, state that illegal migrants meeting<strong> four conditions<\/strong> won&#8217;t be considered illegal under the Act.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ol>\n<li>They are <strong><u>Hindus<\/u><\/strong>, <strong><u>Sikhs<\/u><\/strong>, <strong><u>Buddhists<\/u><\/strong>, <strong><u>Jains<\/u><\/strong>, <strong><u>Parsis<\/u><\/strong> or <strong><u>Christians<\/u><\/strong> \u2013 Total six communities <strong><u>barring Muslim community<\/u><\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>They are from <strong><u>Afghanistan<\/u>, <u>Bangladesh<\/u> or <u>Pakistan<\/u><\/strong><\/li>\n<li>They came to India on or before <strong>December 31, 2014<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>They <strong><u>are not in certain tribal areas<\/u> <\/strong>included in <strong><u>Sixth Schedule<\/u><\/strong> to the Constitution<strong> (Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, or Tripura<\/strong>) <strong>or areas under the <u>\u201cInner Line\u201d permit<\/u><\/strong> (Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, and Nagaland)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li>These tribal areas include <strong>Karbi-Anglong<\/strong> (in Assam), <strong>Garo Hills<\/strong> (in Meghalaya), <strong>Chakma District<\/strong> (in Mizoram), and <strong>Tripura Tribal Areas District<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>All legal cases<\/strong> against these migrants regarding their illegal entry or citizenship will be <strong>closed<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>The period of naturalisation has been <strong><u>reduced from 11 years to 5 years<\/u><\/strong> for above category of migrants.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF CAA 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>ARGUMENTS AGAINST THE ACT<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The main criticism of the bill is that it focuses only on <strong>Muslims<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Critics argue that it is <strong>violative of Art. 14 <\/strong>(the right to equality) <strong>of the Constitution<\/strong> and the principle of<strong> secularism, which has enshrined in preamble.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>India has many other refugees, like <strong>Tamils from Sri Lanka<\/strong> and<strong> Rohingyas<\/strong> from Myanmar. They are <strong>not covered under the Act.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Even though some parts of the <strong>north-eastern states are exempt<\/strong>, the idea of giving citizenship to many <strong>illegal Bangladeshi migrants<\/strong> has made the states very worried.<\/li>\n<li>It will be <strong>difficult for the government to differentiate and delineation between<\/strong> illegal migrants and those persecuted.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>ARGUMENTS IN FAVOUR<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The government has clarified that Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh are Islamic republic where <strong>Muslims<\/strong> are in majority hence they <strong>cannot be treated as persecuted minorities.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>It has been promised that the government will look at applications from any other community <strong>on a case-by-case basis.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>This Bill will come as a big boon to all those who have been the <strong>victims of Partition<\/strong> and the subsequent conversion of the three countries into theocratic Islamic republics.\n<ul>\n<li>The government says that because of the <strong>1947 split between India and Pakistan based on religion<\/strong>, many people from different faiths who used to live in undivided India were in <strong>Pakistan <\/strong>and<strong> Bangladesh<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\"><strong>Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh<\/strong> have constitutions that <strong>declare a specific state religion<\/strong>.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">Because of this, people from <strong>Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christian<\/strong> communities have been persecuted for their religion in those countries.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">Many of these people have come to India to find safety and have stayed here even if their travel papers are expired or incomplete, or if they don&#8217;t have any documents at all.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>After Independence, <strong>not once but twice, <\/strong>India conceded that the minorities in its neighbourhood is its responsibility.\n<ul>\n<li>First, <strong>immediately after Partition<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Second during <strong>the Indira-Mujib Pact in 1972<\/strong> when India had agreed to absorb over 1.2 million refugees.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Historically, only <strong>Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, <\/strong>and<strong> Christians<\/strong> came to the Indian side on both occasions.<br \/>\n.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pw.live\/batches\/upsc\/pw-only-ias?utm_source=seo+upsc+batch&#038;utm_medium=seo+upsc&#038;utm_campaign=seo&#038;utm_id=upsc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Enroll now for UPSC Online Classes<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>GROUNDS FOR CANCELLING OCI REGISTRATION<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The law says the government can cancel the registration of OCIs for various reasons, like if they got registered by lying.<\/li>\n<li>The Citizenship amendment act 2019 provides that the central government may cancel registration of OCIs, <strong>if the OCI has violated Citizenship Act or any other law so notified<\/strong> by the central government.<\/li>\n<li>The cardholder also has to be given an <strong>opportunity to be heard.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>The law states that the central government can revoke the registration of OCIs for five reasons\n<ul>\n<li>Including registration through fraud<\/li>\n<li>showing <strong>disaffection to the Constitution<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>engaging with the enemy during war<\/li>\n<li>If it&#8217;s necessary to protect India&#8217;s sovereignty, state security, or public interests,.<\/li>\n<li>If an OCI is sentenced to two years or more in prison within five years of getting registered, their registration can be canceled.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\"><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>EXCEPTIONS TO CAA 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Under <strong><u>sub section 6B<\/u><\/strong> of Citizenship Amendment Act, says that \u201cnothing in this section shall apply to:\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Tribal area of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram or Tripura<\/strong>\u00a0as included in the <strong>Sixth Schedule <\/strong>to the Constitution.<\/li>\n<li>The region known as &#8220;The Inner Line&#8221; is identified in the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation of 1873. (<strong><u>AMiN states<\/u><\/strong>: Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, and Nagaland)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>SECTION-14A OF THE CITIZENSHIP ACT, 1955<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Inserted by Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2003.<\/li>\n<li>The government can make it necessary for <strong>every Indian citizen to register<\/strong> and get a<strong> national identity card<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Central Government may maintain a <strong>National Register of Indian Citizens (<u>NRIC<\/u>)<\/strong> and for that purpose, establish a <strong><u>National Registration Authority<\/u><\/strong> (<strong>NRA<\/strong>)<\/li>\n<li><strong><u>Registrar General of India<\/u><\/strong>, appointed under Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 shall act as the National Registration Authority.<\/li>\n<li>NPR may have foreigners as well.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>INDIAN ORIGIN TAMILS (IOT) AND ASSOCIATED ISSUES<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>India recently passed a law called the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iasparliament.com\/current-affairs\/citizenship-amendment-bill-2019-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Citizenship Amendment <\/a>Act to give citizenship to migrants who entered the country illegally.<\/li>\n<li>In this connection, here is a look at the issue of the <strong>Sri Lankan Tamils<\/strong>, as they are excluded from the provisions of the CAA.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>ABOUT INDIAN ORIGIN TAMILS (IoT)<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\"><strong>Sri Lankan Tamils<\/strong> mostly live in the <strong>North and East<\/strong>, while <strong>Indian Origin Tamils<\/strong> (IOTs) are descendants of Tamil workers brought by the British in the mid-19th century to <strong>work on tea estates in the Central and Uva provinces<\/strong>.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">They now identify as <strong>Malayaha<\/strong> (hill country) Tamils to avoid the negative label of being called <strong>&#8220;Indian&#8221; Tamils<\/strong>.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">Around Sri Lanka&#8217;s independence, there were about 800,000 IOTs, who were crucial to the tea industry and were active in politics.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">They formed <strong>alliances with unions and left-wing parties<\/strong> to protect their rights in independent Sri Lanka.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">However, ruling parties tried to <strong>limit their political power by labeling them as &#8220;birds of passage&#8221;<\/strong> disloyal to the country, India&#8217;s agents in Sri Lanka, and job stealers from locals.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>SRI LANKA\u2019S 1948 CITIZENSHIP ACT<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Sri Lanka&#8217;s Citizenship Act of 1948<\/strong> was the first of several actions by the Sinhala rulers to strengthen their political support among the Sinhalese community.<\/li>\n<li>It aimed to <strong>exclude Indian Origin Tamils<\/strong> (IOTs), who were the main workforce in tea estates and had ties to leftist parties.<\/li>\n<li>The <strong>IOTs accepted by India in 1964<\/strong> were not fleeing Sri Lanka.<\/li>\n<li>Those who remained in Sri Lanka were <strong>stateless for many years<\/strong> until the ruling party sought their votes and settled their citizenship status<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pw.live\/batches\/upsc?utm_source=seo+upsc+batch&#038;utm_medium=seo+upsc&#038;utm_campaign=seo&#038;utm_id=upsc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Enroll now for UPSC Online Course<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>ISSUES WITH THE ACT<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>This law clearly showed differences between <strong>ethnic groups<\/strong> and <strong>changed the political system<\/strong> to benefit the <strong>Sinhalese majority<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>This created an <strong>intractable dynamic of ethnic outbidding betw<\/strong>een the two major Sinhalese-dominated parties to attract Sinhalese voters at the expense of the Sri Lankan Tamil minority.<\/li>\n<li>These actions led to the <strong>alienation of the latter<\/strong>, their support for secession, and the start of <strong>ethnic violence <\/strong>and <strong>civil war<\/strong> in the 1970s and 1980s.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><u>ISSUES FACED BY INDIAN ORIGIN TAMILS (IoT)<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Exclusion from basic amenities and government schemes.<\/li>\n<li>Religious persecution and ethnic conflicts and differentiation.<\/li>\n<li>Exclusion and limited political and civil rights.<\/li>\n<li>Harassment and perpetration of the crimes against them.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>SURROGACY BILL 2019 AND INDIAN CITIZENSHIP<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\"><strong>Commercial surrogacy<\/strong>, also called &#8216;<strong>Rent a Womb<\/strong>&#8216;, became legal in India in 2002 to boost medical tourism.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">India soon became a <strong>top destination for surrogacy<\/strong> due to its low costs and lack of strict laws.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">A study by the <strong>Confederation of Indian Industry<\/strong> in 2012 found that India&#8217;s surrogate motherhood industry was worth $2 billion annually.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">However, the unregulated nature of surrogacy raised concerns about the <strong>exploitation of surrogate mothers and their children<\/strong>.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">This prompted the need for legislation to regulate surrogacy in the country.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">A study supported by the United Nations in July 2012 estimated the surrogacy business in India to be over $400 million annually, with more than 3,000 fertility clinics across the country.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH CROSS-BORDER SURROGACY<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\"><strong>Cross-border childless couples<\/strong> face <strong>language barriers<\/strong> and sometimes lengthy <strong>legal battles<\/strong> to get their children.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">Cross-border surrogacy causes issues with <strong>citizenship, nationality, motherhood, parentage, <\/strong>and<strong> child rights<\/strong>.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">Sometimes, children are <strong>denied the nationality<\/strong> of their intended parents&#8217; country.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">The <strong>absence of international surrogacy laws<\/strong> creates complications for both surrogates and intended parents.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">Surrogacy laws can differ between the parents&#8217; <strong>home country and the country where the baby is born<\/strong>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<table style=\"width: 100%;\" border=\"2\" width=\"100%\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>In 2008, the Supreme Court of India in the <strong>Baby Manji Yamada vs. Union of India<\/strong> case highlighted the lack of regulation for surrogacy in India.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>LAWS GOVERNING SURROGACY IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Altruistic surrogacy is legal<\/strong> in countries like Britain, America, Australia, the Netherlands, and Denmark.<\/li>\n<li><strong>All forms of surrogacy are banned<\/strong> in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Bulgaria.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Both altruistic and commercial surrogacy<\/strong> are allowed in Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Ukraine.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Surrogacy is unregulated<\/strong> in the Czech Republic, Colombia, Chile, and <strong style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">Hungary.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">Kenya, Malaysia <\/strong><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">and<\/span><strong style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\"> Nigeria<\/strong><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\"> do not prohibit surrogacy but have no formal law to regulate the practice.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<table style=\"width: 100%;\" border=\"2\" width=\"100%\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Surrogacy<\/strong> is the practice whereby one woman carries the child for another with the intention that the child should be handed over after birth. Such a surrogacy arrangement may be altruistic or commercial in nature.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Altruistic surrogacy<\/strong> involves an arrangement where the couple does not pay the surrogate mother any compensation other than the medical and insurance expenses related to the pregnancy.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Commercial surrogacy<\/strong> includes compensation (in cash or kind) paid to the surrogate mother, which exceeds the reasonable medical expenses associated with the pregnancy.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>PRECONDITIONS FOR ELIGIBILITY<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>The certificate of eligibility to the intending couple is issued upon fulfilment of the following conditions:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\"><strong>Both are Indian citizens<\/strong> and have been married for at least five years.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">The<strong> wife<\/strong> is between 23 to 50 years old, and the <strong>husband<\/strong> is between 26 to 55 years old.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">They do not have <strong>any surviving child<\/strong> (biological, adopted, or surrogate), except for a child who is mentally or physically challenged or has a life-threatening disorder or fatal illness.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">They meet any other conditions specified by regulations.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pw.live\/batches\/upsc\/pw-only-ias?utm_source=seo+upsc+batch&#038;utm_medium=seo+upsc&#038;utm_campaign=seo&#038;utm_id=upsc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Enroll now for UPSC Online Classes<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SURROGATE MOTHER<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>For the surrogate mother to receive a certificate of eligibility from the relevant authority, she must:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A close relative of the intending couple;<\/li>\n<li>A married woman having a child of her own;<\/li>\n<li>25 to 35 years old;<\/li>\n<li>A surrogate can only serve once in her lifetime.<\/li>\n<li>Possess a certificate of medical and psychological fitness for surrogacy.<\/li>\n<li>Further, the surrogate mother cannot provide her own gametes for surrogacy.<\/li>\n<li>Additionally, the surrogate mother is not allowed to use her own gametes for surrogacy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>ROHINGYA CRISIS AND INDIA<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>In January 2019, the <strong>UN High Commissioner for Refugees<\/strong> (UNHCR) asked India to explain why a group of Rohingya refugees was sent back to Myanmar in October 2018.<\/li>\n<li>India&#8217;s decision to send the refugees back goes against international refugee laws and domestic constitutional rights.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Deporting refugees<\/strong> is seen as <strong>legally and morally wrong<\/strong> under domestic laws.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>GLOBAL FRAMEWORK<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Refugee law<\/strong> is a part of international human rights law.<\/li>\n<li>To deal with the issue of large numbers of refugees crossing between countries, a meeting of UN representatives made the <strong>Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees in 1951<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>After that, they made the <strong>Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees in 1967<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>One important rule in the Convention is the <strong>principle of non-refoulment<\/strong>, which means not sending refugees back to where they might be harmed.<\/li>\n<li>Experts say that <strong>India doesn&#8217;t have to follow this rule<\/strong> because it didn&#8217;t sign the Convention or the Protocol.<\/li>\n<li>But the <strong>ban on sending refugees back<\/strong> is a rule of international law that applies to all countries, even if they didn&#8217;t sign the Convention.<\/li>\n<li>According to a decision by the <strong>UNHCR in 2007<\/strong>, <strong>this rule applies to every country<\/strong>, whether they signed the Convention or not.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Article 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights<\/strong> says everyone has the right to seek asylum from persecution in other countries<\/li>\n<li><strong>Article 51<\/strong> of the Constitution says the state should try to encourage <strong> international peace and security<\/strong>. <strong>Article 51(c)<\/strong> mentions promoting respect for international laws and agreements.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The Constitution conceives of incorporation of international law into the domestic realm. <\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Thus, the argument that the nation has not violated international obligations during the deportation is a mistake.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>DOMESTIC RESPONSIBILITY<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>In the Constitution, the chapter on <strong>fundamental rights separates citizens from other individuals<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>While citizens have all rights, including foreigners, everyone has the right to equality and the right to life, among other rights.<\/li>\n<li>The <strong>Rohingya refugees<\/strong>, while under the jurisdiction of the national government, cannot be deprived of the right to life and personal liberty (Art.21)<\/li>\n<li>In <strong>National Human Rights Commission v. State of Arunachal Pradesh (1996)<\/strong>, the Supreme Court held:\n<ul>\n<li>\u201cOur Constitution confers&#8230; rights on every human being and certain other rights on citizens. <strong>Every person is entitled to equality before the law and equal protection of the laws.<\/strong> Also, no person can be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law. Thus the <strong>State is bound to protect the life and liberty of every human being<\/strong>, be he a citizen or otherwise&#8230;\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>INDIA\u2019S STANCE<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>India doesn&#8217;t have special laws<\/strong> to deal with refugees, even though more of them are coming into the country.<\/li>\n<li>The <strong>Foreigners Act of 1946<\/strong> doesn&#8217;t tackle the unique issues experienced by refugees as a group. It also gives the <strong>central government full power to deport any foreigner<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>The <strong>Citizenship (Amendment) Bill of 2019<\/strong> leaves out Muslims and aims to give citizenship to people of certain religions like <strong>Hindu, Christian, Jain, Parsi, Sikh, and Buddhist<\/strong> who faced persecution in <strong>Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan<\/strong>. <strong>Most Rohingya are Muslims<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>This limitation on the basis of religion fails to stand the test of equality under Art. 14 of the Constitution and offends secularism, a basic feature of the Constitution.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pw.live\/batches\/upsc?utm_source=seo+upsc+batch&#038;utm_medium=seo+upsc&#038;utm_campaign=seo&#038;utm_id=upsc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Enroll now for UPSC Online Course<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>WAY FORWARD<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Indian Judiciary is independent<\/strong> of executive and legislature. Therefore, the Supreme Court has placed <strong>human rights at the center of Indian polity<\/strong> and has tried to turn them into tool of advocacy and <strong>instrument of fairness<\/strong> between communities as well as individuals, guaranteeing their protection through civil and criminal justice process. Above all, <strong>strengthening the identity<\/strong> of the Indian state and society.<\/li>\n<li>Considering the <strong>dire situation of the Rohingyas<\/strong>, they should receive basic needs like clean toilets, safe drinking water, and medical care. Then, plans should be made to send them back home slowly.<\/li>\n<li>The priority is to safeguard the <strong>right to life of every person<\/strong>, and it cannot be taken away.<\/li>\n<li><strong>India hasn\u2019t ratified international convention<\/strong> validating refugee status in the country. However, <strong>India has done the best it can<\/strong> in the circumstances.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>WAY FORWARD<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The <strong>1951 UN Refugee Convention<\/strong> explains who is a refugee and outlines the rights of those given asylum, along with the duties of countries that offer asylum.<\/li>\n<li>It provides <strong>certain rights to individuals<\/strong> who are escaping persecution based on their race, religion, nationality, belonging to a certain social group, or political views.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Climate migrants<\/strong> (migrated due to climate change) who move across borders are not considered refugees according to the <strong>1951 Refugee Convention or its 1967 protocol<\/strong>. Therefore, they aren&#8217;t eligible for protection under national or international refugee laws.<\/li>\n<li><strong><u>India not a member <\/u><\/strong>of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/united-nations\/\">UN<\/a> refugee convention<\/strong> or<strong> its 1967 protocol<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>The Convention also provides for some visa-free travel for holders of travel documents issued under the convention.<\/li>\n<li>The Convention is based on <strong>Article 14 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights<\/strong>, which acknowledges the right of individuals to seek asylum in other countries to escape persecution.<\/li>\n<li>The <strong>1967 Protocol<\/strong> widened the scope to include refugees from <strong>all nations<\/strong>, while the <strong>1951 Convention<\/strong> only covered refugees from Europe.<\/li>\n<li>Today, the <strong>1951 United Nations Convention<\/strong> and the <strong>1967 Protocol<\/strong> together remain the foundation of refugee protection, and their provisions are as relevant now as when they were drafted.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Why does India refuse to sign the Convention or the Protocol?<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The main reasons are about <strong>security<\/strong>. <strong>Borders in South Asia are porous<\/strong>, so any fighting can cause lots of people to move.<\/li>\n<li>India follows <strong>\u201cAttithi Devo Bhava\u201d<\/strong> and <strong>\u201cVasudhaiva Kutumbakam\u201d<\/strong> in letter and spirit.<\/li>\n<li>India is home to <strong>diverse groups of refugees<\/strong>, ranging from Buddhist <strong>Chakmas<\/strong> from the Chittagong of Bangladesh, to <strong>Bhutanese<\/strong> from Nepal, <strong>Muslim Rohinygas<\/strong> from Myanmar and small populations from Somalia, Sudan and other sub Saharan African countries.<\/li>\n<li>At that time, <strong>UNHCR greatly assisted India<\/strong> in managing the 9.8 million Hindu refugees from Bangladesh.<\/li>\n<li>It also <strong>collected significant funds<\/strong> from across the globe to support India (And it wasn&#8217;t a war led by the West).<\/li>\n<li>In<strong> 2015<\/strong>, during the <strong>largest refugee crisis in the West since World War II<\/strong>, none of the reasons mentioned justify why India still refuses to sign the Refugee Convention.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>CENTRAL ADVERSE LIST<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong><u>CONTEXT:<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0Recently, Centre has removed names of 312 Sikh foreign nationals from its blacklist\/the Central Adverse List.<\/p>\n<p><strong>ABOUT CENTRAL ADVERSE LIST<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>This list is maintained by <strong><u>Ministry of Home Affairs<\/u><\/strong>, that contains:<\/li>\n<li>People who backed the <strong>Khalistan movement<\/strong> in the 1980s and 1990s but fled India to seek refuge in other countries.<\/li>\n<li>Names of those individuals <strong>who are suspected to have links with terrorist outfits<\/strong> or have violated visa norms in their previous visit to India.<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">Individuals suspected of having ties to terrorist groups or violating visa rules during previous visits to India.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">People involved in criminal activities or accused of<strong> sexual crimes against children<\/strong> in their home countries.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">This list is used by <strong>all Indian Missions and Consulates<\/strong> to prevent these individuals from entering India by denying them visas.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">It&#8217;s a measure taken by the Indian government to safeguard internal security.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">It prevents <strong>serious offenders<\/strong> from using India as a refuge after committing crimes in their own countries and then applying for Indian visas to avoid prosecution.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">List is maintained with inputs from all the state governments, central and state intelligence agencies.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>DETENTION CENTRES<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><u>Assam<\/u><\/strong> has 6 detention centres.<\/li>\n<li>They are run by Assam\u2019s home department with <strong>approval from the <u>Ministry of Home Affairs<\/u><\/strong> <strong>(MHA).<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pw.live\/batches\/upsc\/pw-only-ias?utm_source=seo+upsc+batch&#038;utm_medium=seo+upsc&#038;utm_campaign=seo&#038;utm_id=upsc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Enroll now for UPSC Online Classes<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>FOREIGNER DETENTION CENTRE (FDC)<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">Ready to start operating from January 1, 2020, near <strong>Bengaluru, Karnataka<\/strong>.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">The Foreigners Detention Centre (FDC) being built in the state is <strong>open to people from any country<\/strong> and will serve as a <strong>temporary place<\/strong> for foreign nationals who are caught staying illegally here by the police until they are sent back to their home countries.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong>State governments<\/strong> have been given the authority to deport foreign nationals staying illegally under <strong style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\"><u>Article 258 (1)<\/u><\/strong> of the Constitution.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES (UNHCR)<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Established in 1951 at Geneva<\/strong> , Switzerland to provide international protection for refugees and to seek durable solutions to their problems.<\/li>\n<li>The<strong> High Commissioner<\/strong> can help anyone who is afraid of being harmed because of their <strong>race, religion, nationality, or political views<\/strong> and is not in their home country.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Refugees<\/strong> who are assisted by other United Nations agencies, or who have the same rights of obligations as nationals or their country of residence, are outside the mandate of UNHCR<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>GLOBAL MIGRATION REPORT 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Published by the <strong>International Organisation for Migration (IOM)<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Top destination for migration remains the <strong>United States.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>India remained the\u00a0<strong>largest country of origin<\/strong> of international migrants with Mexico and China following behind.<\/li>\n<li>The top three remittance recipients were <strong>India<\/strong>, <strong>China<\/strong> and <strong>Mexico<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>United States remained the top remittance-sending country<\/strong> followed by the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION FOR MIGRATION (IOM)<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>IOM is an <strong>intergovernmental organization<\/strong> that helps with migration. They offer advice and support to governments and people who are moving, including refugees, people forced to leave their homes within their own country, and migrant workers.<\/li>\n<li>IOM was founded in<strong> 1951<\/strong> under the name <strong>Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration<\/strong> (ICEM) to assist in <strong>resettling individuals displaced by World War II<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>It was granted <strong>Permanent Observer status to UN General Assembly (UNGA)<\/strong> in 1992.<\/li>\n<li>The cooperation agreement between <strong>IOM <\/strong>and <strong>the UN<\/strong> was established in <strong>1996<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>It consists of <strong>166 member states<\/strong>, with an <strong>additional 8 states<\/strong> having observer status, and maintains offices in more than 100 countries.<\/li>\n<li><strong>India is a member of IOM.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Its headquarters are located in <strong><u>Geneva<\/u>, Switzerland<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>The UN sees IOM as a <strong>crucial player in safeguarding migrants<\/strong> and displaced individuals, as well as in the fields of resettling refugees and assisting with voluntary returns.<\/li>\n<li><strong>IOM works in four broad areas of migration management: <\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>Migration and development,<\/li>\n<li>Facilitating migration,<\/li>\n<li>Regulating migration,<\/li>\n<li>Forced migration.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>PRAVASI BHARTIYA DIWAS<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">Event: Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD)<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">Date: January 9th every year<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">Purpose: <\/strong>To mark the contribution of the Overseas Indian community in the development of India<\/li>\n<li><strong style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">Historical Significance: <\/strong>Commemorates Mahatma Gandhi&#8217;s return from South Africa on January 9, 1915<\/li>\n<li><strong>F<\/strong><strong style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">irst Celebrated:<\/strong> 2003<\/li>\n<li><strong style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">Frequency: <\/strong>Initially held annually; since 2015, it is organized every two years<strong style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\"><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">Organized by: <\/strong>Ministry of External Affairs<strong style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\"><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">Significance:<\/strong><span style=\"font-family: var(--list--font-family); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">\u00a0To remember the favors and contributions made by Non Resident Indians (NRIs) to the welfare and development of the nation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>The <strong><u>15th<\/u> PBD Convention <\/strong>was held <strong><u>from 21 to 23 January 2019<\/u><\/strong> in <strong><u>Varanasi<\/u><\/strong> with <strong>Uttar<\/strong> <strong>Pradesh as the Partner State with <u>Mr<\/u><\/strong><u>. <strong>Pravind Jugnauth<\/strong><\/u><strong>, (Prime Minister Mauritius) as chief guest<\/strong>.\n<ul>\n<li>India had celebrated Mahatma Gandhi\u2019s 150th birth anniversary in the year 2019.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>16 conventions<\/strong> have been held so far, with the <strong>16th being virtual in 2021<\/strong> due to the pandemic.<\/li>\n<li>The <strong>17th PBD Convention<\/strong> is scheduled for January 8-10, 2023, in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.\n<ul>\n<li>Its theme is &#8220;<strong>Diaspora: Reliable Partners for India&#8217;s Progress in Amrit Kaal.<\/strong>&#8220;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>CITIZENSHIP To prepare for INDIAN POLITY for any competitive exam, aspirants need to understand Citizenship, a key topic for the IAS exam&#8217;s polity syllabus (GS-II). Articles 5 to 11 of the Indian Constitution cover citizenship, which can be acquired by birth, descent, naturalisation, registration, and incorporation of territory. India provides for single citizenship to promote&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/docs\/citizenship\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">CITIZENSHIP<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"rank_math_lock_modified_date":false,"footnotes":""},"doc_category":[122],"doc_tag":[],"acf":[],"year_month":"2026-04","word_count":10401,"total_views":"18475","reactions":{"happy":"13","normal":"4","sad":"2"},"author_info":{"name":"bks_editor","author_nicename":"bks_editor","author_url":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/author\/bks_editor"},"doc_category_info":[{"term_name":"INDIAN POLITY","term_url":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/docs-category\/indian-polity"}],"doc_tag_info":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/docs\/3080"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/docs"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/docs"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3080"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/docs\/3080\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":113103,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/docs\/3080\/revisions\/113103"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3080"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"doc_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/doc_category?post=3080"},{"taxonomy":"doc_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/doc_tag?post=3080"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}