THE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

1. INDIA-CENTRAL ASIA DIALOGUE

THE CONTEXT: The 3rd meeting of the India-Central Asia Dialogue was held under the
chairmanship of the External Affairs Minister of India. Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Republic of Uzbekistan took
part in the meeting.

IMPORTANT OUTCOMES OF THE MEETING:

During Pandemic:

• The Ministers expressed satisfaction at the ongoing Central Asia-India cooperation in the fight against Covid-19 pandemic. The Foreign Ministers of Central Asian countries
  appreciated India’s assistance in supply of vaccines and essential medicines during their
  early stage of fight against Covid-19.

INSTC Corridor:

• The Ministers emphasized on optimum usage of the International North-South Transport
  Corridor (INSTC) as well as Ashgabat Agreement on International Transport and Transit
  Corridor to enhance connectivity between India and the Central Asian countries. They stress
  that connectivity initiatives should be based on the principles of transparency, broad
  participation, local priorities, financial sustainability and respect for sovereignty and
  territorial integrity of all countries.
• They welcomed the proposal to include Chabahar Port within the framework of INSTC and
  expressed interest in cooperation on issues related to the development and strengthening
  of regional connectivity in Central and South Asia. In this regard, the Ministers noted the
  outcomes of the High-Level International Conference "Central and South Asia: Regional
  Connectivity; Challenges and Opportunities”.

INSTC CORRIDOR

Defence and Security:

• The Ministers emphasized that interaction in the fields of defence and security constitutes
  an important element of India- Central Asia cooperation. In this regard, they noted the
  importance of holding regular consultations among the National Security Councils of India
  and the Central Asian countries in the fight against terrorism and other emerging challenges
  in the region.
• The Ministers condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and reiterated that
  providing safe haven, using terrorist proxies for cross-border terrorism, terror financing,
  arms and drugs trafficking, dissemination of a radical ideology and abuse of cyber space to
  spread disinformation and incite violence, goes against the basic principles of humanity and
  international relations. They stressed that perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors
  of terrorist acts must be held accountable and brought to justice in accordance with principle of "extradite or prosecute”. In this context, they called for early adoption of the UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism. They called on the international community to strengthen UN-led global counter-terrorism cooperation and fully implement the relevant UNSC resolutions, Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and FATF standards.

Afghan Crisis:

• The sides discussed the current situation in Afghanistan and its impact on the region. The
  Ministers reiterated
  strong support for a
  peaceful, secure
  and stable
  Afghanistan while
  emphasizing the
  respect for
  sovereignty, unity
  and territorial
  integrity and non-
  interference in its
  internal affairs. They
  also discussed the
  current
  humanitarian situation and decided to continue to provide immediate humanitarian
  assistance to the Afghan people. The Ministers reaffirmed the importance of UNSC
  Resolution 2593 (2021) which unequivocally demands that Afghan territory not be used for
  sheltering, training, planning or financing terrorist acts and called for concerted action
  against all terrorist groups.

Climate Change:

• The Ministers expressed appreciation for support to each other in the UN and other
  multilateral fora including SCO, CICA etc. India highlighted the role of "International Solar
  Alliance (ISA)” initiative in collective, rapid and massive deployment of solar energy for
  effective implementation of the Paris Agreement. India also underlined the role of
  "Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)” in promoting disaster resilient
  infrastructure for reducing economic losses and improving the well-being of communities in
  the face of calamities. India looked forward to Central Asian countries joining the ISA and CDRI.
• The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Central Asian countries reiterated support of their
  countries for permanent membership of India in an expanded and reformed UN Security
  Council. They welcomed the ongoing non-permanent tenure of India in the UNSC and its
  priorities.
• The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan informed about their proposal to convene the
  Second High-Level International Conference on the International Decade for Action "Water
  for Sustainable Development”, 2018-2028 from 6-9 June 2022 in Dushanbe that will be part
  of the preparatory process for the UN Conference on the Midterm Comprehensive Review
  of the Implementation of the Objectives of the Water Decade in 2023 in New York.

THE ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

2. INDIA DOESN’T HAVE ENOUGH AIR QUALITY MONITORS

THE CONTEXT: According to researchers, with its size, population and aggravating air pollution, India
needs 1,600 to 4,000 air quality monitors but has only 804 as of September 2021, most of which
are concentrated in urban areas.

THE EXPLANATION:

• India has nine of the 10 most polluted cities in the world, but with 200 particulate matter
  2.5 monitoring sites in operation during the 2010-2016 period, India’s air quality monitor
  density – about 0.14 monitors per million people – is below China (1.2), the United States of
  America (3.4), Japan (0.5) and Brazil (1.8), according to research from 2019.
• As a consequence, India does not accurately know the spread of pollutants, including
  sulphur dioxide, nitrous dioxide, respirable PM 10, the finer particulate matter or PM 2.5,
  lead, carbon monoxide and ammonia. Chronic exposure to these pollutants contributes to
  the risk of developing ailments such as cardiovascular, respiratory diseases, as well as of
  lung cancer, according to the World Health Organization.
• Further, since existing air quality monitors are concentrated in urban areas, health and
  environmental authorities cannot assess the extent of air pollution in rural areas due to
  biomass, fuelwood, stubble burning and spraying of pesticides.

Real-time monitoring

• Ambient air quality is monitored by observing pollutants, including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen
  dioxide, PM 10, PM 2.5, lead, carbon monoxide and ammonia, present in the air. Currently,
  the country’s clean air programme has set a tentative national target of 20%-30% reduction
  of air pollution in132 non-attainment cities by 2024, taking 2017 as the base year. The “non-
  attainment cities”, called so because they did not meet the national ambient air quality
  standards at the time, are required to formulate city-specific action plans in order to reduce air pollution. So, while the thrust is on the most-polluted cities, rural and semi-urban areas are not being fully monitored for want of monitors and protocols.
• In India, air quality has been traditionally monitored using manual readings. Data from 804 monitoring stations are used for monitoring ambient air quality. Even after the introduction of real-time monitors, the Central Pollution Control Board continues the practice of using data only from manual monitors to report compliance with air quality standards, according to a Centre for Science and Environment report from 2020.

There are 261 real-time monitors whose data are updated on the central database. This network is
technically part of the National Air Quality Monitoring Programme but its data are stored and
treated separately because Central Pollution Control Board has not established a method of
equivalence between the two monitoring techniques, the 2020 Centre for Science and
Environment report pointed out.

Monitoring stations needed

• The minimum number of stations to monitor suspended particulate matter where the
  area’s population is less than 1,00,000 is four. The minimum number is three for sulphur
  dioxide, four for nitrous dioxide, one for carbon monoxide, according to Central Pollution
  Control Board guidelines for ambient air quality monitoring released in 2003. The number of
  monitors required increases with the population.
• India’s six megacities (Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi) need at
  least 23 to 44 air quality monitoring stations each, while the existing number of stations
  range between nine and 12 [excluding Delhi], according to the Centre for Science and
  Environment report from 2020.

Measuring pollutants

• To address the data gaps in monitoring pollutants, India will require 1,600 monitors-4,000
  monitors (1.2 monitors-3 monitors per million people), the Elsevier paper said, and warned
  that even at these densities, only relatively basic information on common air pollutants
  would be available more frequently, and would cover a relatively limited area.
• India has set aside a budget of Rs 470 crore for control of pollution in the financial year
  2021-’22, which includes funding for its ambitious National Clean Air Programme.

Value Addition:
National Air Quality Index (AQI)

• The AQI is an index for reporting daily air quality. It tells how clean or polluted the air is.
• The higher the AQI value, the greater the level of air pollution and the greater the health
  Concern.
• Research studies have attributed the key sources of PM2.5 in summer to be: dust and construction activities (35%), transport sector (20%) and industry (20%).
• Would measure

1. Particulate Matter 2.5
2. Ozone
3. Carbon monoxide
4. Ammonia
5. Lead
6. Nitrogen oxide
7. Sulpher dioxide
8. PM 10

Six AQI categories

AQI Good (0–50)

Associated Health Impacts Minimal Impact

AQI Satisfactory (51–100)
Associated Health Impacts May cause minor breathing discomfort to sensitive people.

AQI Moderately polluted (101–200)

Associated Health Impacts May cause breathing discomfort to people with lung disease such as asthma,
and discomfort to people with heart disease, children and older adults.

AQI Poor (201–300)

Associated Health Impacts May cause breathing discomfort to people on prolonged exposure, and
discomfort to people with heart disease

AQI Very Poor (301–400)

Associated Health Impacts May cause respiratory illness to the people on prolonged exposure. Effect
may be more pronounced in people with lung and heart diseases.

AQI Severe (401-500)

Associated Health Impacts May cause respiratory impact even on healthy people, and serious health
impacts on people with lung/heart disease. The health impacts may be
experienced even during light physical activity.

Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR)

•  It was indigenously developed by Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune.
• It is run by India Meteorological Department (IMD).
• The objective is to provide Real-time air quality index on 24×7 basis with colour coding
  along with 72-hour advance weather forecast.
• Another goal is to issue health advisory to prepare citizens well in advance.

Government Measurements:

• Introduction of cleaner gaseous fuels like CNG, LPG etc and ethanol blending.
• Banning of burning of biomass.
• Promotion of public transport network.
• Pollution Under Control Certificate.
• Issuance of directions under Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
• Installation of on-line continuous (24×7) monitoring devices by 17 highly polluting industrial sectors.
• Regulating the bursting of pollution-emitting crackers.
• Notification of graded response action plan for Delhi identifying source wise actions for various levels of air pollution, etc.
• Leapfrogging from BS-IV to BS-VI standards for vehicles by 1st April 2020.

3. REINTRODUCTION OF GHARIALS

THE CONTEXT: After successfully reintroducing the critically endangered Gharial (Gavialis
Gangeticus) in the rivers of Punjab where it had become extinct half a century ago, the
State’s wildlife preservation wing is now keeping its fingers crossed, expecting the
breeding of the crocodilians to start in the new few years as the released gharials are
healthy and have adapted to the Beas Conservation Reserve as their home.

THE EXPLANATION:

• The gharial reintroduction in the Beas Conservation Reserve is an ambitious programme of
  the Punjab government. The reptiles were commonly sighted in the Beas River till the 1960s
  but later became extinct. The gharial can be found in north Indian rivers like the Ganga,
  Yamuna, Chambal and their tributaries.

• Since 2017, 94 gharials released in the Beas Conservation Reserve and there have been only two causalities. These gharials have been dispersed both upstream and downstream of the release sites in the reserve and they can be spotted any time depending on the water levels and season, indicating that the first step of their rehabilitation has been successful.

• According to Punjab wildlife officials, the next big challenge is their breeding. Once natural breeding of gharials starts it would then be a real success. Normally, expect the breeding to start after 10 years. The eldest of the reintroduced ghairals is seven years old now and we are hopeful that breeding could start in the coming three-four years. The habitat is conducive for egg-laying and hatching and we are taking all necessary steps to provide a safe environment predator.
• In the first phase of the reintroduction project, 47 gharials were released in 2017-2018 in the river in Amritsar and Tarn Taran districts. Later, 23 gharials were released in February 2021 on an island near Saleempur and Tahli Forest in district Hoshiarpur. Most recently, in December 2021, another set of 24 gharials was released near the Kulla Fatta forests in the reserve in Hoshiarpur district.

Value Addition:

• Gharials (or gavials) are a type of Asian crocodilian distinguished by their long, thin snouts.
• Crocodilians are a group of reptiles that includes crocodiles, alligators, caimans, and more.
• India has three species of Crocodilians namely:

1. Gharial: IUCN Red List- Critically Endangered
2. Mugger crocodile: IUCN- Vulnerable.
3. Saltwater crocodile: IUCN- Least Concern.

• All the three are listed on Appendix I of CITES and Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• However, Saltwater Crocodile populations of Australia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea are included in Appendix II of CITES.
• Habitats include: Fresh waters of the northern India – Chambal river, Ghagra, Gandak river and the Sone river (Bihar).
• Population of Gharials is a good indicator of clean river water.

Habitat and Distribution

• Primary habitat Chambal river and its prefers to live in riverine habitats with deep, clear,
  fast-moving water and steep, sandy banks.
• Deep pools, formed at sharp river bends are another preferred spot.
• They use sandy banks (at river's edge or mid-river) and rocky outcrops for basking.

THE INTERNAL SECURITY

4. NEW GENERATION BALLISTIC MISSILE ‘AGNI P’ SUCCESSFULLY TESTED

THE CONTEXT: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully tested the
new generation nuclear capable ballistic missile ‘Agni P’ from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam island off the
coast of Odisha.
THE EXPLANATION:

• The Agni P is a two-stage canisterised solid propellant ballistic missile with dual redundant
  navigation and guidance system. This second flight-test has proven the reliable performance
  of all the advanced technologies integrated into the system.
• Various telemetry, radar, electro-optical stations and down range ships positioned along the
  eastern coast tracked and monitored the missile trajectory and parameters. The missile
  followed text book trajectory meeting all mission objectives with high level of accuracy.

About Agni-V

• Agni-V is an Indian nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). It has been developed
  by the Defence Research and Development Organisation. Missile is having a range of around 5000
  to 8000 km. It is a three-stage, solid-fuelled and road-mobile intercontinental ballistic missile. It is
  transported by a truck and launched using a canister.

Significance of Agni V

Agni V is used to enhance India’s nuclear deterrence against China. Earlier, the longest-range
missile in India was Agni-III, which had the range of 3000–3500 km. This range was not sufficient to
reach targets eastern and north-eastern region of China. Thus, DRDO was working on the upgraded
version of this missile called Agni-V.
What is Ballistic Missile?

• A ballistic missile follows a ballistic trajectory to deliver one or more warheads on a
  predetermined target.
• A ballistic trajectory is the path of an object that is launched but has no active propulsion
  during its actual flight (these weapons are guided only during relatively brief periods of
  flight).
• Consequently, the trajectory is fully determined by a given initial velocity, effects of gravity,
  air resistance, and motion of the earth (Coriolis Force).

Types of ballistic missiles based on the range

• Short-range (tactical) ballistic missile (SRBM): Range between 300 km and 1,000 km.
• Medium-range (theatre) ballistic missile (MRBM): 1,000 km to 3,500 km.
• Intermediate-range (Long-Range) ballistic missile (IRBM or LRBM): 3,500 km and 5,500 km.
• Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM): 5,500 km +.

What is the difference between ballistic and cruise missiles

THE PRELIMS PRACTICE QUESTIONS

QUESTION OF THE DAY 20 TH JANUARY 2022

Q1. Consider the following statements about Eastern Swamp Deer:

1. It is one of the sun-species of barasingha.
2. Its major habitat is grasslands of Kaziranga National Park, Assam.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2

ANSWER FOR 19 TH JANUARY 2022.

Answer: B)
Explanation:

• Statement 1 is incorrect: National Commission for Women set up in 1992 under the
  National Commission for Women Act, 1990. Therefore, it is a statutory body.
• Statement 2 is correct: It consists of one chairman and other five members.

1. Action without conflict READ MORE
2. Why a Karnataka college’s hijab ban is an assault on the fundamental right to religion READ MORE

1. Explained: What is the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’? READ MORE
2. Untimely January rain damages rabi crop, vegetables in Odisha’s Nuapada READ MORE
3. Ministry’s Draft Changes To Act Undermine How India Protects Its Wildlife READ MORE
4. Thaw of permafrost has vast impact on built environment READ MORE

1. States weigh options on IAS cadre rule changes READ MORE
2. Democratise and empower city governments: The general approach towards urban empowerment, including financial capabilities, has remained piecemeal in India READ MORE
3. The marital rape exception must go READ MORE
4. Devas imbroglio: SC order gives government hope of winning arbitration battle READ MORE
5. Food for thought: Starvation deaths remain a stark reality even in this time and age, and the Govt must not shut its eyes READ MORE
6. Revisiting the NJAC judgment for credibility READ MORE
7. NALSA was supposed to be India’s beacon for legal aid. But it’s stuck in a systemic rut READ MORE
8. Failing Collegium and a Weakening Judiciary Are Undermining the Administration of Justice READ MORE

1. NFHS data offers a reality check for claims of Swachh Bharat success READ MORE
2. Stats of the nation: Not just death counts or data on malnutrition, India’s statistics are poor across categories READ MORE

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Dip in eastern swamp deer population in Kaziranga READ MORE
2. Miss Kerala not endangered: aquarists READ MORE
3. 59,000 metric tonnes of biomass co-fired in coal fired Thermal power plants READ MORE
4. Explained: What is the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’? READ MORE
5. Untimely January rain damages rabi crop, vegetables in Odisha’s Nuapada READ MORE
6. ‘Major discovery’ beneath Antarctic seas: A giant icefish breeding colony READ MORE

Main Exam    

GS Paper- 1

1. Abdul Ghaffar Khan: Freedom Fighter, Gandhian, Pacifist, Muslim and Pakhtun: Every aspect of the life of Abdul Ghaffar Khan struck a contrast to the pettiness that is overtaking public life in India and all of South Asia. READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. States weigh options on IAS cadre rule changes READ MORE
2. Democratise and empower city governments: The general approach towards urban empowerment, including financial capabilities, has remained piecemeal in India READ MORE
3. The marital rape exception must go READ MORE
4. Devas imbroglio: SC order gives government hope of winning arbitration battle READ MORE
5. Food for thought: Starvation deaths remain a stark reality even in this time and age, and the Govt must not shut its eyes READ MORE
6. Revisiting the NJAC judgment for credibility READ MORE
7. NALSA was supposed to be India’s beacon for legal aid. But it’s stuck in a systemic rut READ MORE
8. Failing Collegium and a Weakening Judiciary Are Undermining the Administration of Justice READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. NFHS data offers a reality check for claims of Swachh Bharat success READ MORE
2. Stats of the nation: Not just death counts or data on malnutrition, India’s statistics are poor across categories READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. How to avert a demographic disaster READ MORE
2. RBI’s cryptocurrency dilemma READ MORE
3. Inflation must not impact economy READ MORE
4. Area planning better alternative to guaranteeing MSP READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Ministry’s Draft Changes To Act Undermine How India Protects Its Wildlife READ MORE
2. Thaw of permafrost has vast impact on built environment READ MORE

SECURITY

1. India’s N-project going strong: Capable of meeting challenges faced by national security READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Action without conflict READ MORE
2. Why a Karnataka college’s hijab ban is an assault on the fundamental right to religion READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. ‘Though, cryptocurrency poses an intriguing ‘regulator’s dilemma’ against RBI but banning it is not a solution’. Analyse the statement and suggest measure for the effective regulation of digital currencies.
2. Discuss the recent ruling of WTO against the subsidies on sugar provided by India.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• The general approach towards urban empowerment, including financial capabilities, has remained piecemeal in India.
• By dramatically expanding basic public services, the government can create the jobs that India’s youth desperately need.
• Sanitation practices are indeed the most influential in family health and collecting such data is vital to understanding the health behaviour of the people.
• The absence of relevant statistics is the primary problem. A related issue is the politicisation of release. Over decades, heated debates over interpreting data have often been political in nature.
• Cryptocurrency poses an intriguing ‘regulator’s dilemma’ – striking a balance between technological progress ushering financial innovation while remaining as sovereign authority.
• Such measures won’t achieve the best results unless the Devas tangle is sorted out at the earliest. The onus is on the government to resolve arbitration issues without loss of face so as to regain investors’ confidence.
• The cash transferred to the poor at present cannot sustain a family of four for a month. That is why the food policy must be rational. India today has surplus food grains.
• India’s experience with cropping patterns is overproduction of a commodity that causes an abrupt fall in prices and heavy losses to farmers.
• While the collegium system doesn’t find any backing in the Constitution, India is the only country where judges appoint themselves and also decide on their transfers and promotions.
• The law laid down by the Supreme Court binds the collegium as well. Yet, the appointment and transfer of judges to the high courts and Supreme Court have not been strictly in terms of that law.

50-WORD TALK

• Tuesday’s drone strike on UAE by Iran-backed Houthi rebels, and subsequent retaliation by Saudi Arabia, raises fears that the two countries’ proxy war could intensify. Escalation would cripple India’s fuel supplies, and harm the 60 lakh diaspora in UAE and Saudi. India must engage both countries to avert this outcome.

Things to Remember:

• For prelims-related news try to understand the context of the news and relate with its concepts so that it will be easier for you to answer (or eliminate) from given options.
• Whenever any international place will be in news, you should do map work (marking those areas in maps and also exploring other geographical locations nearby including mountains, rivers, etc. same applies to the national places.)
• For economy-related news (banking, agriculture, etc.) you should focus on terms and how these are related to various economic aspects, for example, if inflation has been mentioned, try to relate with prevailing price rises, shortage of essential supplies, banking rates, etc.
• For main exam-related topics, you should focus on the various dimensions of the given topic, the most important topics which occur frequently and are important from the mains point of view will be covered in ED.
• Try to use the given content in your answer. Regular use of this content will bring more enrichment to your writing.

THE CONTEXT: In a stunning development for Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs), the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a notification on March 4 dramatically altering the compact between OCIs and the Indian state. It is saying that the notification is the end of India’s experiment with dual citizenship. The development has started a new debate. In this article, we will analyze the issue in detail.

NOTIFICATION BY THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

The new notification was issued under section 7(B) of the Citizenship Act, 1955. Under this notification, the rules and regulations for the OCIs have been rescheduled. This notification supersedes three earlier notifications that were issued in 2005, 2007, and 2009.

The OCI cardholder shall be required to obtain a special authorization/permit to visit India from the competent authority or the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (hereinafter referred to as “FRRO”) or the Foreigners Registration Officer (hereinafter referred as to “FRO”) if the Indian mission visit is for following purposes:

• To undertake research;
• To undertake any Missionary or Tabligh or Mountaineering
• or Journalistic activities;
• To undertake an internship in any foreign Diplomatic Missions or foreign Government organizations in India or to take up employment in any foreign Diplomatic Missions in India;
• To visit any place which falls within the Protected or Restricted or prohibited areas as notified by the Central Government or competent authority.

For any time period to stay in India and the exemption from registration with the FRRO or FRO, the OCI cardholders can also claim exemption from registration with the FRRO or FRO. Necessary to mention the OCI cardholders who are ordinarily resident in India shall intimate the FRRO or the FRO through email every time there is a change in permanent residential address and their occupation.

Parity with Indian nationals in the matter of

• Tariffs in airfares in domestic sectors in India; and
• Entry fees are to be charged for visiting national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, national monuments, historical sites, and museums in India.

Parity with non-resident Indians in the matter of

• Inter-country adoption of Indian children subject to the compliance of the procedure as laid down by the competent authority for such adoption;
• Appearing for the all-India entrance tests.
• Provided that the OCI cardholder shall not be eligible for admission against any seat reserved exclusively for Indian citizens;
• Purchase or sale of immovable properties other than agricultural land or farmhouse or plantation property
• Pursuing the following professions in India as per the provisions contained in the applicable relevant statutes or Acts as the case may be, namely:-

(a)      Doctors, dentists, nurses, and pharmacists

(b)      Advocates

(c)       Architects

(d)      Chartered accountants.

Who are OCI citizens?

OCI citizens are of Indian origin; however, they are foreign passport holders and are not citizens of India. India does not allow dual citizenship but provides certain benefits under Section 7B (I) of the Citizenship Act, 1955 to the OCIs.

The ministry of home affairs defines a person as a oversees citizen of India who:

• Was a citizen of India on or After 26^th Jan 1950
• Was eligible to become a citizen of India on 26^th Jan 1950
• Is a child or grandchild of such a person

But a person is not eligible for OCI; if his parents or grandparents have ever been a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh. This category was introduced by the government in 2005. The government of India via Citizenship (amendment) 2015 merged the person of Indian origin (PIO) category with the OCI category.

HOW NEW RULING IMPACTS THE OCIs CARDHOLDERS?

• Prohibits them from undertaking certain activities without prior permission of the Foreigners Regional Registration Officers (FRRO).
• Parity with Indian citizens in the matters of tariffs in airfares in domestic sectors in India and entry fees to be charged for visiting national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, the national monuments, historical sites, and museums in India.
• Special permission to undertake research work or take up employment in any foreign diplomatic missions in India will need permission.
• Prior permission will be needed if wants to visit any place that falls within the protected restricted or prohibited areas.
• This regulation will impact the government’s 2018 decision that made an OCI eligible for appointment as permanent teaching faculty in a premier educational institution. Such recruitments are governed by Section 7B 2(I) of the Citizenship Act, 1955.
• It restored the lifelong visa to OCIs that was temporarily suspended in March 2020 in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
• An OCI cardholder to intimate the FRRO by email whenever there is a change in permanent residential address and in their occupation.
• Eligible for appearing in all-India entrance tests. This will only be against any NRI seat and shall not be eligible for admission against any seat reserved exclusively for Indian citizens.
• In a related case pending before the Karnataka High Court, the Centre had in March 2019 maintained the same stand. However, on 15 December 2020, the HC directed that students under the OCI category are to be considered citizens of India for admission to professional courses and not restrict their admissions only under the NRI quota.

OCI HOLDERS AT PAR WITH NRIS?

• The new notification is making OCI cardholders par with Non-Resident Indians in the matter of inter-country adoption of Indian children.
• Appearing in the all India entrance tests and purchase or sale of immovable properties other than agricultural land or farmhouse or plantation property.
• They can pursue the professions in India as per the provisions contained in the applicable relevant statutes which include doctors, dentists, nurses and pharmacists, advocates, architects, chartered accountants.

Under the Foreigners (Restricted Areas) Order, 1963, the following areas have been declared as `Restricted’ Areas – Andaman & Nicobar Islands – Entire Union Territory and Sikkim – Part of the State.

• The whole of Arunachal Pradesh
• Parts of Himachal Pradesh
• Parts of Jammu & Kashmir
• Whole of Manipur
• Whole of Mizoram
• Whole of Nagaland
• Parts of Uttarakhand

IS THE NEW NOTIFICATION AN END TO INDIA’S EXPERIMENT WITH DUAL CITIZENSHIP?

In 2006, in order to meet calls for dual citizenship, India introduced the OCI card for foreign nationals of Indian descent. The OCI card allows foreign citizens of Indian origin to visit, live and work in India as citizens would. But there were many key restrictions:

• OCI cardholders could not vote or participate in Indian politics
• Can’t occupy any positions in public service
• Can’t invest in agricultural land holdings

Moreover, it was hoped that in future India will provide dual citizens to OCIs cardholders and for that Lok Sabha MP Shashi Tharoor introduced a bill in Parliament to amend the Indian Constitution and allow dual citizenship for Indians. But, the new notifications are being seen as a step backward from granting dual citizenship to people of Indian origin who are citizens of foreign countries.

WHAT IS DUAL CITIZENSHIP AND WHY DOES INDIA NEED IT?

Introducing dual citizenship means that foreign citizens would be allowed to hold Indian passports and exercise all rights of an Indian citizen including participating in politics, policy, and governance.

Why does India need Dual citizenship?

FOR INDIAN DIASPORA

• It would open the floodgates for a diversely skilled group of professionals to come back home, infusing India’s somewhat insular and protectionist policymaking apparatus with much-needed international expertise.
• Dual citizens will bring Indian policymaking the benefits of global perspectives and lessons from global best practices.
• The return of a diaspora with wide-ranging international experiences will go a long way in changing that; if dual citizens were to return to the government, they will help inform the domestic political discourse on the consequences that Indian businesses, students, and professionals face abroad – and, by extension, those that their families face back home. Dual citizens will further spread public awareness of international events.

TO EXPAND FOREIGN POLICY

For years, Indian foreign policy discourse has suffered from introversion and fence-sitting on matters of international politics and security. A large part of the domestic debate on foreign policy is restricted to the immediate neighborhood – and often just one country out of them all: Pakistan.

GLOBAL INFLUENCE

They will also be more invested in steering Indian foreign policy discourse towards a discussion on increasing India’s global influence, rather than on less meaningful populist chest-thumping: After all, many of them changed their passports in large part because of the consequences of India’s underwhelming global influence (the Indian passport is currently ranked 86 out of 109 positions on travel freedom – below Zimbabwe and Sierra Leone).

EASY CITIZENSHIP BY FOREIGN COUNTRIES FOR DEVELOPMENT

• Many Indians abroad change their passports for very practical reasons seeking access to a higher quality of life, high-paying jobs in multilateral organizations where Indian citizens are over-represented, or merely for mobility and travel freedom.
• Between 2014 and 2017, 4.5 lakh Indians opted for citizenship in another country. As foreign countries offer easy citizenship in exchange for cash and investments, the trend is only set to grow.
• Despite their change in citizenship, India’s diaspora has remained strongly committed to Indian interests overseas and the spread of India’s global influence worldwide. Dual citizenship will more fully leverage the political influence of Indians abroad by giving them a more direct stake in India’s development – and more meaningful roles by which to contribute to it. If Indian dual citizens return home to be in politics or government, they are more likely to do so in order to fix many of the developmental challenges that forced their migration, rather than to serve any ‘grand designs’ of foreign sabotage in India.

OTHER COUNTRIES ARE OFFERING DUAL CITIZENSHIP

Eighty-five countries in the world offer dual citizenship. India needs to join this long list to avoid embarrassments such as an Indian winning the Nobel Prize but not being an Indian citizen.

But the new notification of the government of India is against the demand of modern times that makes OCIs cardholder as par Indian Citizens in some cases but restricted in some other cases and make them as par the NRIs. Although there are some criticisms of dual citizenship like:

• the threat of having foreign citizens in positions of policymaking and power.
• How can Indians trust folks who owe allegiance to a foreign power?

But the problem with these arguments is that this approach totally misunderstands the Indian diaspora spectacularly. Unlike several foreign citizens of Chinese or Russian descent, Indian-origin citizens in the West did not flee from their home country out of spite or suppression.

What are the options for India? Case studies from other countries

Many countries have found a way around the technical and security issues involved.

• Bangladesh requires its citizens to obtain a “dual nationality certificate” so that it can control who gets to take dual citizenship and under what circumstances.
• Brazilians can acquire another country’s passport but they must enter and exit Brazil only on the Brazilian passport.
• Canada actually encourages dual citizenship; the US discourages but allows it.
• If the concern is security, one can look at Pakistan, which allows its citizens to hold dual citizenship of only 16 other countries, doesn’t let dual citizens run for public office or join the military. Signing dual citizenship agreements with other countries helps prevent its misuse.

CONCLUSION: The introduction of dual citizenship is a great opportunity for India to expand its global influence and attract the world’s talent to aid its domestic growth. More importantly, it will reinstate India’s legacy as a civilization that is open rather than insular, global rather than protectionist, and confident rather than insecure. For India’s aspirations to be a global power, there are few attributes more pertinent than those.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OCI CARD HOLDER, PIO, AND NRI

OVERSEAS CITIZEN OF INDIA: OCI is an immigration status given to a foreign citizen of Indian origin as an alternative for dual citizenship which is not allowed by the Indian Constitution.

NON-RESIDENTIAL INDIA: NRI is a residential status given to a citizen of India with an Indian Passport who resides in a foreign country for the purpose of work/business, or education.

PERSON OF INDIAN ORIGIN: PIO is an identification status given to whom or whose any of the ancestors was a permanent Indian resident/citizen and who is currently holding valid citizenship and passport of another country.