OREANDA-NEWS. The Minister of State in the ministries of Overseas Indian Affairs & External Affairs General (Retd.) V. K. Singh said in Lok Sabha today thatRegistration of 27,606 OCI applications was pending as on 08.12.2014.These applications are at various stages of processing.  Persons of Indian origin who specifically apply are granted OCI registration. Application is not mandatory.  Hence no time frame can be indicated by which all PIOs are likely to be issued OCI cards.  NRIs are Indian citizens and do not require OCI cards.

General (Retd.) V. K. Singh said that OCIs have been granted the following benefits:

(i) A multiple entry multi-purpose life long visa for visiting India.

(ii) Exemption from registration with local police authority for any length of stay in India.

(iii) Parity with Non resident Indians (NRIs) in  respect of economic, financial and educational fields except in relation to acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties. No parity is allowed in the sphere of political rights.

(iv) Parity with NRIs in entry fee for visiting national monuments, historical sites, museums, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries as well as in domestic air fares in India.

(v) Preference in the matter of inter-country adoption of Indian children.

(vi) Parity with NRIs for practice as doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, advocates, architects and chartered accountants in pursuance of the provisions contained in the relevant Acts.

(vii) Parity with NRIs to appear in AIPMT or such other tests in India to make them eligible for admission in pursuance of the provisions contained in the relevant Acts.

(viii)Permitting OCIs to file an affidavit to declare their address in India, for the purpose of availing services like securing admission of their children to educational institutions in India, obtaining of driving licenses, gas connections, residential telephones and mobile phones, electricity/water connection, etc.