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What is Diaspora? - UPSC International Relations
What is What is Diaspora? in UPSC International Relations?
What is Diaspora? is a key topic under International Relations for UPSC Civil Services Examination. Key points include: Diaspora refers to a dispersed population maintaining ties to its homeland.. The Indian diaspora has historical roots in indentured labor ('Girmitiya' system) and modern migrations.. Key classifications are Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs - merged with OCI), and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs).. Understanding this topic is essential for both UPSC Prelims and Mains preparation.
Why is What is Diaspora? important for UPSC exam?
What is Diaspora? is a Medium-level topic in UPSC International Relations. It is tested in both Prelims (factual MCQs) and Mains (analytical answer writing). Previous year UPSC questions have frequently covered aspects of What is Diaspora?, making it essential for comprehensive IAS preparation.
How to prepare What is Diaspora? for UPSC?
To prepare What is Diaspora? for UPSC: (1) Study the comprehensive notes covering all key concepts on Vaidra. (2) Practice previous year questions on this topic. (3) Connect it with current affairs using daily updates. (4) Revise using key takeaways and mind maps available for International Relations. (5) Write practice answers linking What is Diaspora? to related GS Paper topics.
Key takeaways of What is Diaspora? for UPSC
- Diaspora refers to a dispersed population maintaining ties to its homeland.
- The Indian diaspora has historical roots in indentured labor ('Girmitiya' system) and modern migrations.
- Key classifications are Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs - merged with OCI), and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs).
- NRIs are Indian citizens residing abroad; OCIs are foreign citizens of Indian origin with specific privileges.
- The PIO card scheme was abolished in 2015 and merged with OCI.
- The Indian diaspora significantly contributes to India's economy (remittances) and soft power.
What is Diaspora?
Medium⏱️ 8 min read
international relations
📖 Introduction
Introduction to Diaspora
The term diaspora originates from the Greek word 'diaspeiro', meaning dispersion. It refers to a population that has been dispersed from its traditional homeland to other parts of the world.
The Indian diaspora represents one of the largest and most diverse global communities. Its growth began significantly with the historical movement of indentured laborers.
The 'Girmitiya' arrangement involved the transportation of indentured laborers, primarily from India, to various countries. These included regions in the East Pacific and the Caribbean Islands during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Classification of Indian Diaspora
The Indian government classifies its overseas population into distinct categories to facilitate engagement and policy formulation. These categories are primarily based on residency status and citizenship.
Non-Resident Indians (NRIs)
Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) are Indian citizens who reside outside India for employment, business, or any other purpose, indicating an indefinite stay abroad. They retain their Indian citizenship.
A person is considered an NRI if they meet specific residency criteria:
- They are in India for less than 182 days in a financial year.
- They are in India for less than 365 days in the preceding 4 years AND less than 60 days in the current year.
Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs)
The category of Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) historically referred to foreign citizens who had an Indian connection. This connection could be through past Indian citizenship, or through their parents or grandparents being born in India.
A spouse of an Indian citizen or a PIO was also eligible under this category. However, certain nationalities were excluded from applying.
Excluded Nationalities for PIO application included citizens of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Iran, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal.
It is crucial for UPSC aspirants to note that the PIO card category was abolished in 2015. It was subsequently merged with the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) category, simplifying the classification system for persons of Indian origin.
Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs)
The Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) category was introduced in 2005 as a separate immigration status. It offers certain benefits to foreign nationals of Indian origin, allowing them to live and work in India indefinitely.
An OCI card is granted to a foreign national who meets specific eligibility criteria:
- They were eligible to become a citizen of India on January 26, 1950.
- They belonged to a territory that became part of India after August 15, 1947.
- Minor children of such individuals are also eligible.
Similar to PIO, nationals of Pakistan and Bangladesh are explicitly excluded from OCI card eligibility.
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Diaspora refers to a dispersed population maintaining ties to its homeland.
- •The Indian diaspora has historical roots in indentured labor ('Girmitiya' system) and modern migrations.
- •Key classifications are Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs - merged with OCI), and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs).
- •NRIs are Indian citizens residing abroad; OCIs are foreign citizens of Indian origin with specific privileges.
- •The PIO card scheme was abolished in 2015 and merged with OCI.
- •The Indian diaspora significantly contributes to India's economy (remittances) and soft power.
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