414. Being born in India does

not automatically make you an

Indian citizen . . .

Questions: Hello Sir, Hope you doing good. My name is Chintan Patel and i am south African citizen born in India but never been Indian citizen or holding Indian passport. i was born in India while my parents were visiting India. Would i be able to apply for OCI or PIO card ?And what documents do i require to obtain OCI card or PIO card,please advise. Regards Chintan Patel. Answer: As per The citizenship Act 1955, A person born in India on or after 26, January, 1950 and before 1, July 1987 is a citizen by birth irrespective of the nationality of the persons parents. (Modes of acquiring Indian citizenship) So depending on when you were born and whether you have documentation to prove your birth in India may help. Check with the Indian consulate in your area of residence. Who is eligible to apply for OCI: A foreign national, who was eligible to become citizen of India on 26.01.1950 or was a citizen of India on or at anytime after 26.01.1950 or belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15.08.1947 and his/her children and grand children, provided his/her country of citizenship allows dual citizenship in some form or other under the local laws, is eligible for registration as Overseas Citizen of India OCI). Minor children of such person are also eligible for OCI. However, if the applicant had ever been a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh, he/she will not be eligible for OCI. Eligibility for PIO card: Any person who at any time held an Indian Passport; or he or either of his parents or grand parents was born in or was permanently resident in India as defined in Government of India Act, 1935 and other territories that became part of India thereafter provided neither was at any time a citizen of Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka; or who is a spouse of a citizen of India or a person of Indian origin as mentioned above.