UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Changes to Citizenship Rules notified by Centre

Q1. With reference to the legal status of an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder under the Citizenship Act, 1955, which one of the following statements is correct?

  • A. An OCI cardholder is a dual citizen of India who is entitled to hold an Indian passport.
  • B. An OCI cardholder is a foreign national registered under Section 7A of the Act who is granted a lifelong multiple-entry visa to India.
  • C. An OCI cardholder is a resident foreigner registered under the Foreigners Act with a five-year renewable visa.
  • D. An OCI cardholder is an Indian citizen residing abroad who retains full voting rights in India.

Q2. Consider the following statements comparing the entitlements of an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder with those of an Indian citizen: 1. Unlike an Indian citizen, an OCI cardholder is not entitled to vote or to be elected to Parliament or a State Legislature. 2. Like an Indian citizen, an OCI cardholder may be appointed to constitutional posts such as that of a judge of a High Court. 3. Unlike an Indian citizen, an OCI cardholder cannot acquire agricultural or plantation property in India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Unlike an Indian citizen, an OCI cardholder is not entitled to vote or to be elected to Parliament or a State Legislature.
  2. Like an Indian citizen, an OCI cardholder may be appointed to constitutional posts such as that of a judge of a High Court.
  3. Unlike an Indian citizen, an OCI cardholder cannot acquire agricultural or plantation property in India.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. Which of the following are correctly identified as changes introduced by the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2026? 1. OCI registration applications must be filed through an online government portal instead of the earlier paper process. 2. Applicants may be issued an electronic OCI (e-OCI) in place of, or in addition to, a physical card. 3. A minor child holding an Indian passport is barred from simultaneously holding the passport of another country. 4. OCI cardholders are conferred the right to vote in local body elections in India. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. OCI registration applications must be filed through an online government portal instead of the earlier paper process.
  2. Applicants may be issued an electronic OCI (e-OCI) in place of, or in addition to, a physical card.
  3. A minor child holding an Indian passport is barred from simultaneously holding the passport of another country.
  4. OCI cardholders are conferred the right to vote in local body elections in India.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q4. The Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2026 inserted a specific proviso concerning minor children. Which one of the following correctly describes it?

  • A. A minor child cannot at any time hold the passport of another country while also holding an Indian passport.
  • B. A minor child of an OCI cardholder is automatically granted Indian citizenship by birth.
  • C. A minor child must compulsorily renounce OCI status upon attaining 18 years of age.
  • D. A minor child may hold dual passports until the age of 21, after which one must be surrendered.

Q5. Which one of the following statements about the 2026 revision of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) norms is correct?

  • A. The USD 275 application fee must invariably be paid only in US dollars, irrespective of where the application is filed.
  • B. The six-month continuous stay in India that was earlier mandatory for applicants above 12 years of age has been abolished.
  • C. The revision was notified by the Ministry of External Affairs, which is the nodal ministry for OCI matters.
  • D. The revised application fee applies only to applicants residing outside India.

Q6. With reference to the OCI card fee structure notified in 2026, consider the following: 1. The application fee for an OCI card is fixed at USD 275. 2. Reissuance of an OCI card on account of loss of the card attracts a fee of USD 100. 3. Renunciation of OCI status attracts a fee of USD 25. 4. Reissuance of an OCI card with a change of particulars attracts a fee of USD 500. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. The application fee for an OCI card is fixed at USD 275.
  2. Reissuance of an OCI card on account of loss of the card attracts a fee of USD 100.
  3. Renunciation of OCI status attracts a fee of USD 25.
  4. Reissuance of an OCI card with a change of particulars attracts a fee of USD 500.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 3 and 4 only

Q7. The August 2025 tightening of OCI cancellation grounds, making persons convicted of serious crimes liable to lose OCI status, was effected through a gazette notification issued by which authority and under which provision?

  • A. The Ministry of Home Affairs, under Section 7D of the Citizenship Act, 1955.
  • B. The Ministry of External Affairs, under Section 7D of the Citizenship Act, 1955.
  • C. The Ministry of Home Affairs, under Section 7A of the Citizenship Act, 1955.
  • D. The Ministry of Law and Justice, under Section 18 of the Citizenship Act, 1955.

Q8. Under the OCI cancellation grounds tightened in August 2025, an OCI registration becomes liable to cancellation if the cardholder has been sentenced to imprisonment for a term of not less than how many years?

  • A. One year
  • B. Two years
  • C. Five years
  • D. Seven years

Q9. With reference to the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, which one of the following statements is correct?

  • A. It makes migrants of six specified communities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan eligible for Indian citizenship, with an entry cut-off date of 31 December 2014.
  • B. It grants citizenship to all migrants from all neighbouring countries irrespective of their religion or date of entry.
  • C. It makes migrants of the specified communities eligible provided they entered India on or before 31 December 2019.
  • D. It amended Article 11 of the Constitution to redefine the grounds of Indian citizenship.

Q10. Under the Citizenship Act, 1955, citizenship by naturalisation is provided for under which section, and what is one of its principal qualifying conditions?

  • A. Section 6; the applicant must ordinarily have resided in India or been in the service of Government for the prescribed qualifying period preceding the application.
  • B. Section 5; the applicant must have resided in India for one year and have a parent who was a former Indian citizen.
  • C. Section 4; the applicant's birth outside India must be registered at an Indian consulate within the prescribed period.
  • D. Section 3; the applicant must have been born in India after the commencement of the Act.

Q11. With reference to the Person of Indian Origin (PIO) and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card schemes, consider the following statements: 1. The PIO card scheme was merged into the OCI scheme in 2015. 2. On the merger, existing PIO cardholders were deemed to be OCI cardholders. 3. The OCI scheme, introduced by an amendment to the Citizenship Act, became operational in December 2005. 4. Unlike OCI cardholders, PIO cardholders enjoyed a lifelong visa-free stay and were exempt from all police reporting requirements. Which of the statements given above is NOT correct?

  1. The PIO card scheme was merged into the OCI scheme in 2015.
  2. On the merger, existing PIO cardholders were deemed to be OCI cardholders.
  3. The OCI scheme, introduced by an amendment to the Citizenship Act, became operational in December 2005.
  4. Unlike OCI cardholders, PIO cardholders enjoyed a lifelong visa-free stay and were exempt from all police reporting requirements.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 2 and 4

Q12. The Citizenship Rules, 2009 and their subsequent amendments are framed as subordinate legislation under which provision of the Citizenship Act, 1955, and by which authority?

  • A. Section 18, by the Central Government acting through the Ministry of Home Affairs.
  • B. Section 18, by the Central Government acting through the Ministry of External Affairs.
  • C. Section 7A, by the Central Government acting through the Ministry of Home Affairs.
  • D. Article 11 of the Constitution, by Parliament through ordinary legislation.