Indian Polity & Governance·Amendments
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas — Amendments
Constitution VerifiedUPSC Verified
Version 1Updated 5 Mar 2026
| Amendment | Year | Description | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citizenship Amendment Act | 2003 | Introduced the concept of Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI), allowing PIOs to obtain quasi-citizenship status with lifelong visa-free travel to India and other benefits, directly impacting PBD participation categories. | Expanded the scope of PBD by creating a new category of overseas Indians with enhanced rights, increasing diaspora engagement and participation in India's development activities. |
| OCI Cardholder Amendment | 2015 | Merged PIO and OCI schemes, streamlining overseas Indian categories and simplifying the regulatory framework for diaspora engagement through unified OCI status. | Simplified PBD participation categories and enhanced the effectiveness of diaspora engagement by reducing bureaucratic complexities and providing clearer pathways for overseas Indian involvement. |