Indian Origin

Indian origin means either one’s parents or grandparents have been citizen of India or a person himself had been a citizen of India at some point of time. It is claimed that Indian population originated from three separate waves of migration from Central Asia, Iran and Africa over a period of 50,000 years. Scientists have genetic evidence of the people of the subcontinent to prove this.

PIO and OCI are self-explanatory. PIO stands for people of Indian origin. While, OCI stands for overseas citizens of India. It is an immigration status that allows foreign citizens of Indian origin to live, study or work in India. OCI card holders can visit India at any time and stay for life time. He or she does not require a visa to visit India.

One’s birth certificate mentioning parents' name is proof of Indian origin. If one applies proof of Indian origin on the basis of his or her grandparents as Indian citizens, then that person’s birth certificate as well as parent's birth certificate containing grandparents’ name would work as a proof.

People of India are called Indians. In USA, the term Asian Indian is also used for the people of India to avoid confusion between Indians from the subcontinent and Native Americans who are referred as American Indians.

Any person born in India before 1st July, 1987, or a person whose parents were born before that date are bona fide Indian citizens. Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019 (CAA) or countrywide NRC would not affect them.