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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 1036
ANSWERED ON- 24/07/2026
OCI CARDHOLDERS
1036. MS. PRANITI SUSHILKUMAR SHINDE:
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has taken cognizance of concerns raised
by Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders regarding recent
changes in rules, including digitisation of processes, revised
documentation requirements, and discontinuation of certain legacy
provisions, if so, the details thereof;
(b) the details of recent policy changes pertaining to OCI cards,
including the introduction of electronic OCI (e-OCI), revised fee
structures, and updated compliance requirements;
(c) whether the Government has received representations from OCI
cardholders regarding procedural difficulties such as delays in
processing, mandatory biometric/online submissions, and issues arising
from the discontinuation of Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card validity;
and
1(d) the steps taken or proposed to streamline OCI services, reduce
processing delays, and address grievances of OCI cardholders,
particularly those residing abroad?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) to (d) Policy matters pertaining to OCI are dealt with by the Ministry
of Home Affairs. As per information available with the Ministry of
External Affairs, in order to offer seamless service to OCI cardholders
and in line with the Digital India Mission, the e-OCI registration service
has been introduced, thus doing away with the necessity of carrying
physical OCI cards for immigration clearance. Physical OCI cards,
however, continue to remain valid. Several steps have been taken to
simplify the procedures for applying and processing OCI cards including
e-OCI registration. The fee for OCI cards has been standardized,
regardless of the place of application. Other details regarding e-OCI
card can be obtained from https://ociservices.gov.in. Concerns
received regarding procedural difficulties in e-OCI registration are being
duly addressed as and when received. Persons of Indian Origin (PIO)
cards have been discontinued w.e.f. 31.12.2025. Various services,
2including online updation of details, fast-track immigration clearance,
online registration and miscellaneous services have been introduced to
provide digital and seamless user experience, thus streamlining OCI
services in the interest of OCI cardholders.
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