Executive Summary:
This document presents information provided to the Lok Sabha on August 8, 2025, regarding the renunciation of Indian citizenship. It includes data on the number of individuals who have renounced their Indian citizenship over the past five years and acquired citizenship in other countries. It also addresses the reasons for renunciation and the government's actions to address this trend.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Renunciation Statistics:**
* The number of Indians renouncing citizenship was 85,256 in 2020, 163,370 in 2021, 225,620 in 2022, 216,219 in 2023, and 206,378 in 2024.
* Historical data shows 122,819 cases in 2011, 120,923 in 2012, 131,405 in 2013, and 129,328 in 2014.
* **Citizenship Acquisition:**
* Indians have acquired citizenship in 135 countries (listed in the annexure).
* **Reasons for Renunciation:**
* Reasons are personal and known only to the individual.
* **Government Response:**
* The government acknowledges the global workplace and the value of the Indian diaspora.
* Efforts are aimed at harnessing the diaspora's potential through knowledge and expertise sharing.
Impact Analysis:
* **Indian Citizens:**
* Impact: Provides information regarding the process and implications of renouncing Indian citizenship.
* Action Required: No specific action required.
* **Government of India:**
* Impact: Requires monitoring trends in citizenship renunciation and engaging with the Indian diaspora.
* Action Required: Continue efforts to engage with and harness the potential of the diaspora.
Key Entities Referenced
SHRI K C VENUGOPAL: Member of Parliament who raised the question about renunciation of Indian citizenship.
Ministry of External Affairs: The Indian government ministry responsible for foreign affairs, which provided the answer to the parliamentary question.
SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH: The Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs who provided the answer to the question in the Lok Sabha.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Indian Parliament where the question was raised.
Indian diaspora: Refers to the community of Indian immigrants and their descendants residing outside India. The policy recognizes their potential as an asset to India.
Canada: One of the countries whose citizenship was acquired by Indians renouncing their Indian citizenship, as listed in the annexure.
Australia: One of the countries whose citizenship was acquired by Indians renouncing their Indian citizenship, as listed in the annexure.
United States of America: One of the countries whose citizenship was acquired by Indians renouncing their Indian citizenship, as listed in the annexure.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-3223
ANSWERED ON- 08/08/2025
RENUNCIATION OF CITIZENSHIP
3223. SHRI K C VENUGOPAL
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-
(a) the number of individuals who have renounced their Indian
citizenship and taken citizenship of other countries during the last five
years, country-wise;
(b) whether there has been any increase in the cases of renunciation of
Indian citizenship during the last three years, if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether Government has conducted any study on reasons for which
they are leaving the country and renouncing their citizenship, if so, the
outcome thereof indicating the major reasons identified therefor; and
(d) the action taken by the Government to reduce the renunciation of
citizenship by Indian's, particularly the younger generations?
1ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a & b) As per the information available with the Ministry, the number of
Indians who gave up their Indian citizenship was 85,256 in 2020,
1,63,370 in 2021, 2,25,620 in 2022, 2,16,219 in 2023 and 2,06,378 in
2024. For reference, such cases were 1,22,819 in 2011, 1,20,923 in
2012, 1,31,405 in 2013 and 1,29,328 in 2014. List of the countries
whose citizenship Indians acquired is placed at Annexure.
(c & d) The reasons for renouncing Indian citizenship or taking foreign
citizenship are personal and known only to the individual. The
Government recognizes the potential of the global workplace in an era
of knowledge economy. It has also brought about a transformational
change in its engagement with Indian diaspora. A successful,
prosperous, and influential diaspora is an asset for India. India stands
to gain a lot from tapping its diaspora networks and productive
utilization of the soft power that comes from having such a flourishing
diaspora. The Government’s efforts are also aimed at harnessing the
diaspora potential to its fullest including through sharing of knowledge
and expertise.
*****
2ANNEXURE
LIST OF COUNTRIES WHOSE CITIZENSHIP WAS ACQUIRED BY
INDIANS
S.No. Country S.No. Country
1 Albania 15 Belgium
2 Algeria 16 Belize
3 Andorra 17 Bolivia
4 Angola 18 Bosnia & Herzegovina
5 Antigua & Barbuda 19 Botswana
6 Argentina 20 Brazil
7 Armenia 21 Brunei
8 Australia 22 Bulgaria
9 Austria 23 Cambodia
10 Azerbaijan 24 Canada
11 Bahamas 25 Chile
12 Bahrain 26 China
13 Bangladesh 27 Colombia
14 Belarus 28 Comoros
329 Costa Rica 50 Guatemala
30 Croatia 51 Guyana
31 Cyprus 52 Hungary
32 Czech Republic 53 Iceland
33 Denmark 54 Indonesia
34 Dominica 55 Iran
35 Dominican Republic 56 Iraq
36 Ecuador 57 Ireland
37 Egypt 58 Israel
38 Estonia 59 Italy
39 Eswatini 60 Jamaica
40 Ethiopia 61 Japan
41 Fiji 62 Jordan
42 Finland 63 Kazakhstan
43 France 64 Kenya
44 Gabon 65 Kuwait
45 Georgia 66 Kyrgyzstan
46 Germany 67 Laos
47 Ghana 68 Latvia
48 Greece 69 Lithuania
49 Grenada 70 Luxembourg
471 Madagascar 89 Norway
72 Malawi 90 Oman
73 Malaysia 91 Pakistan
74 Maldives 92 Panama
75 Mali 93 Papua New Guinea
76 Malta 94 Paraguay
77 Mauritius 95 Peru
78 Mexico 96 Philippines
79 Moldova 97 Poland
80 Mongolia 98 Portugal
81 Morocco 99 Qatar
82 Mozambique 100 Republic of Korea
83 Myanmar 101 Romania
84 Namibia 102 Russia
85 Nepal 103 Saint Kitts & Nevis
86 New Zealand 104 Saint Lucia
87 Nigeria 105 Saudi Arabia
88 North Macedonia 106 Serbia
5107 Seychelles 124 Türkiye
108 Singapore 125 UAE
109 126 Uganda
Slovak Republic
110 127 UK
Slovenia
111 128 Ukraine
South Africa
112 129 Uruguay
Spain
113 130
Sri Lanka USA
114 131
Sudan Vanuatu
115 132
Suriname Vietnam
116 Sweden 133
Yemen
117 Switzerland 134
Zambia
118 Tanzania 135
Zimbabwe
119 Thailand
The Holy See (Vatican
120
City State)
121 The Netherlands
122 Tonga
123 Trinidad and Tobago
*****
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