**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs' response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2532, addressed on August 5, 2025, regarding foreigners settled in Auroville, Puducherry. As of July 18, 2025, 1571 foreigners from various countries reside in Auroville as residents, entering India on X2 Visas. The government states that foreigners are required to possess valid visas, and actions are taken against individuals found overstaying or violating visa regulations, as per established rules. Regarding citizenship applications from Puducherry, 8 have been granted, 15 are pending, and 5 have been rejected.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Home Affairs: The Indian government ministry responsible for internal security and law and order.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Indian Parliament.
Auroville: An experimental township located near Puducherry.
Puducherry: A Union Territory of India.
SHRI VE VAITHILINGAM: Member of Parliament who raised the unstarred question.
SHRI BANDI SANJAY KUMAR: Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs who provided the answer.
X2 Visa: Visa type for foreigners visiting Auroville
Citizenship of India: The legal status of being a citizen of India.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2532
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 5TH AUGUST, 2025/ SRAVANA 14, 1947 (SAKA)
FOREIGNERS SETTLED IN AUROVILLE, PUDUCHERRY
2532. SHRI VE VAITHILINGAM:
Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that a number of foreigners have
settled in Auroville Township near Puducherry, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether all of them are holding valid Visa to reside in India, if not, the
action taken by the Government in this regard; and
(c) whether any of them applied for Citizenship of India and if so, the details
thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI BANDI SANJAY KUMAR)
(a): Foreigners visiting Auroville enter into India on X-2 Visa. As on
18.07.2025, 1571 foreigners from different countries are residing in Auroville
as residents.
(b): Foreigners enter on a valid and appropriate visa to visit Auroville and
anyone found over-staying or violating visa norms are proceeded as per
rules on the subject.(c): A total of 8 citizenship applications from Puducherry have been
granted Indian citizenship, 15 citizenship applications from Puducherry are
pending, and 5 citizenship applications from Puducherry has been rejected.
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