The idea of citizenship

Question 1

What do we mean by the word ‘citizen’?

Answer 1

A citizen is a person who is legally part of that country and is protected by the constitution of that country. He/She has certain rights and duties.

Question 2

Are residents and citizens the same thing?

Answer 2

No

Question 3

Who are residents of India?

Answer 3

Residents are people who are staying in the country for a limited time but aren’t citizens or protected by the constitution. Ex: Foreign students/professors, Tourists etc.

Question 4

Who are refugees?

Answer 4

Refugees are people who are citizens of another country but have fled their country for some reason and has sought shelter in another country.

Question 5

Who are illegal immigrants?

Answer 5

Illegal immigrants are people who have found a way to enter the country without legal permission and stay there illegally. They can be punished by law.

Question 6

Who are Indian Citizens?

Answer 6

Indian citizens are people who are protected by the constitution, can vote, have rights and duties. They have the freedom to settle down anywhere and have to pay taxes to the government.

Question 7

What are the ways one can be an Indian citizen?

Answer 7

There are 4 ways one can be an Indian Citizen:

1. Citizenship through birth - When one is born here
2. Citizenship Through registration - When a person of Indian origin, or one with Indian parents wants to have Indian citizenship. They have to be a resident in India 7 years prior to registering.
3. Citizenship through descent - Covers anybody whose parents are Indian citizens
4. Citizenship through naturalization - Cavers any Person of foreign origin who has been a resident of India for 12 or more years.

Question 8

What documents are related to Indian Citizenship?

Answer 8

The documents that prove that we are a citizen of India or someplace else are PAN card (permanent account number) and Aadhar card which is a special UID for citizens

Question 9

What is NRC?

Answer 9

NRC is a natural register of citizens. It contains all the names of citizens. At present only Assam has an NRC. Other states are creating similar databases known as the register of Indigenous Inhabitants. The centre is planning to create a national population register (NPR)

Question 10

What does PIO mean and who is a PIO?

Answer 10

PIO stands for Persons of Indian Origin. Only 3 types of people are eligible for this: 1. People whose parents were Indian, 2. People whose spouses are Indian, 3. Someone who at any time has held anIndian passport.

Question 11

What are the benefits of PIO cards?

Answer 11

The benefits of PIO are:

1. They can stay for up to 180 without registration to the FFRO
2. They don’t need visas and can visit India for up to 15 years from the insurance of the PIO card.
3. They can study and work at private institutions.
4. They have the same financial and economic benefits as NRI’s

Question 12

What is OCI?

Answer 12

OCI stands for Overseas Citizen of India. This is an immigration status that allows foreign citizens of Indian origin to live, study or work in India. They can visit India at any time and stay anytime.

Question 13

What are the criteria for eligibility for OCI?

Answer 13

The people who are eligible for OCI cards are foreign citizens who hold a passport of another country except for Pakistan and Bangladesh. A citizen whose parents were born or were citizens of Pakistan and Bangladesh aren’t eligible for OCI

Question 14

What are the benefits of OCI?

Answer 14

1. An OCI cardholder can visit India anytime
2. They can stay in India for any duration without registration to FFRP
3. They can study and work in private institutions
4. They have the same financial and economic benefits as NRI’s

Question 15

What is another name for PIO

Answer 15

Another name for PIO is NRI (Non-Resident Indian)

Question 16

what are 2 things OCI cardholders can’t do?

Answer 16

1. Cannot purchase agricultural land

2. Work of government and have voting rights.