Currently as per the government rules, Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card holders can pursue seven professions in India. They are advocates, doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, architects and chartered accountants. Besides those with OCI are also eligible for appointment as teaching faculty in IITs, NITs, IIMs and Central Universities. Maybe the government should consider widening the ambit by allowing some other professions. To start with, engineers and researchers could be in the zone of consideration of professions that OCI card holders could pursue in the country of their origin. An OCI card acts as a powerful tool for those of Indian origin to maintain their heritage and contribute to India's growth while navigating the legal framework with due diligence and respect for the rules, laws and prevailing regulations. Further an OCI card should be a very valuable asset that bridges our life between India and the country of our residence and continues to have benefits to individuals and to India. It is crucial for OCI cardholders and applicants to have a clear understanding of both the rights granted and the restrictions imposed.
