With reference to the latest notification in March 2021 on Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) scheme, consider the following statements: 1. OCI can purchase agricultural land 2. OCI can pursue the profession of doctor, advocates, architects and Chartered Accountants. 3. OCI needs special permit to visit any area in India notified as protected, restricted or prohibited by the Central Govt. or competent authority. 4. OCI can undertake any 'research', undertake any 'missionary' or 'journalistic' activities. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Notification, on OCI card-holders published in March 2021 has provided the following provisions

• Grant of a multiple-entry life-long visa for visiting India for any purpose.
• Special permission is required to:
  • undertake any research;
  • undertake any missionary or mountaineering or journalistic activities; Hence, statement 3 is correct 4 is correct.
  • undertake internships in any foreign diplomatic missions; and visit any place that falls within the so-called protected or restricted or prohibited areas.
• Purchase or sale of immovable properties other than agricultural land or farmhouse or plantation property. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
• Pursuing the following professions: doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, advocates, architects, and chartered accountants.
• Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Additional Information

Other provisions

• Exemption from registration with the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer for any length of stay in India.
• OCI card-holders will enjoy parity with Indian nationals in the matters of tariffs in airfares in domestic sectors in India, and entry fees to be charged for visiting sites.
• The concept of OCI was brought through the Citizenship Act, 1955.
• The government of India launched the Overseas Citizenship of India Scheme in 2005
• On 9 January 2015, the GOI merged the Persons of Indian Origin card scheme with the OCI card scheme.
• Provisions related to Indian Citizenship are mentioned in Article 5-11, Part - IInd of the Indian Constitution.