RIGHTS YOU ARE ENTITLED TO (WITH ‘RC’):

  • Equality before law and equal protection of laws (Article 14)

  • Protection in respect of conviction for offences (Article 20)

  • Protection of life and personal liberty (Article 21)

  • Right to elementary education (Article 21A)

  • Protection against arrest and detention in certain cases (Article 22)

  • Prohibition of traffic in human beings and forced labor (Article 23)

  • Prohibition of employment of children in factories, etc. (Article 24)

  • Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion (Article 25)

  • Freedom to manage religious affairs (Article 26)

  • Freedom from payment of taxes for promotion of any religion (Article 27)

  • Freedom from attending religious instruction or worship in certain educational institutions (Article 28)

  • Right to lease land for 20 years, through the Central Tibetan Relief Committee (CTRC)

  • Right to obtain benefits such as bank loans and driving licenses, but only with possession of a valid RC

  • Right to promote and preserve Tibetan culture

  • Right to apply for and receive a RC and IC

RIGHTS YOU ARE NOT ENTITLED TO (WITH ‘RC’):

  • Not owning proper documentation (mainly RC)

  • Travel outside of India without possession of IC, exit permit, and return visa

  • Vote in Indian general elections and participate in India's political processes

  • Work in Indian government offices and obtain the prerequisites that accompany such positions

  • Obtain licenses required to run large-scale businesses, and in some cases, obtain any kind of business license by oneself

  • Directly own real property on Indian soil

  • Purchase land by oneself

  • Receive certain welfare program benefits, such as from the National Food Security Act and Targeted Public Distribution System Act

  • Right to any other freedoms besides the fundamental freedoms outlined in the Constitution of India, including: freedom of speech and expression, peaceful assembly, form associations and/or unions, move freely throughout the territory of India, reside and settle in any part of the territory of India, and practice any profession and carry on occupation, trade, or business.

For your convenience, the Foreigners Act of 1946 has been provided below, courtesy of http://indiacode.nic.in