The Indian Diaspora — Practice Questions
UPSC Prelims-pattern practice questions on the Indian diaspora — OCI provisions, PIO merger, Aapravasi Ghat, overseas electors and the Singhvi Committee — with explanations.
Questions
These are original UPSC-pattern practice questions. Attempt each one before revealing the answer.
The Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) scheme is provided for under which section of the Citizenship Act, 1955?
Solution
Sections 7A–7D, inserted by the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2003, provide for OCI registration. Section 6A deals with persons covered by the Assam Accord; Section 9 with termination of citizenship; Section 5 with citizenship by registration.
Answer: A
Consider the following statements:
- The Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card scheme was merged with the OCI scheme in 2015.
- The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs was merged with the Ministry of External Affairs in 2015.
- A person whose grandparent was a citizen of Pakistan is eligible to register as an OCI.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Solution
Statements 1 and 2 are correct — both mergers took place in January 2015. Statement 3 is wrong — a person is ineligible for OCI if they, their parents or grandparents have ever been citizens of Pakistan or Bangladesh.
Answer: C
Aapravasi Ghat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site associated with the arrival of indentured labourers from India, is located in:
Solution
Aapravasi Ghat in Port Louis, Mauritius, was the depot where indentured labourers landed from 1834; it became a World Heritage Site in 2006. Fiji, Trinidad and Guyana also received indentured Indians, but the site is in Mauritius.
Answer: B
With reference to Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) who have not acquired the citizenship of another country, how many of the following statements are correct?
- They can register as electors in the constituency of their residence in India as mentioned in their passport.
- Once registered, they can vote in person at the polling station.
- They continue to hold Indian passports.
Solution
All three are correct. Section 20A of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 (inserted in 2010) allows such NRIs to register at the address in their passport; they vote in person; and as Indian citizens they hold Indian passports.
Answer: D
The High Level Committee on the Indian Diaspora, whose report led to the institution of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, was chaired by:
Solution
L.M. Singhvi chaired the committee (set up 2000; report 2002). Ashok Mehta chaired the committee on Panchayati Raj institutions; Swaran Singh the committee on Fundamental Duties; R.S. Sarkaria the commission on Centre–State relations.
Answer: A
Should India allow dual citizenship for members of its diaspora? Discuss in the light of the Overseas Citizenship of India scheme.
Solution
Introduction: Article 9 of the Constitution ends Indian citizenship when a person voluntarily acquires a foreign one. The OCI scheme (2005), recommended in spirit by the L.M. Singhvi Committee, offers a lifelong visa and economic parity as a substitute for dual citizenship.
Body:
- For dual citizenship: stronger emotional and economic ties; easier investment and return; many countries allow it; would remove OCI’s limits on land and employment.
- Against: divided loyalty and security concerns; complexity in taxation and consular protection; voting by non-residents; constitutional amendment needed; OCI already meets most practical needs.
- Middle path: improve OCI — faster services, clearer rules on activities requiring permission, wider parity in education and professions — while retaining the ban on political rights.
Conclusion: OCI has delivered most of the benefits of dual citizenship without its political risks. Refining OCI is a more practical route than amending the Constitution.