Parliament Question: Repatriation of mortal remains of Indian citizens

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 1518 ANSWERED ON- 12/02/2026 REPATRIATION OF MORTAL REMAINS OF INDIAN CITIZENS 1518. SHRI P. WILSON Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :- (a) whether Government bears the full cost of repatriation of mortal remains of Indian citizens who die abroad and if so, the details thereof, including existing schemes or guidelines; (b) whether Government has received complaints from families for repatriation of Indians who have died overseas; and (c) the details of such complaints, action taken thereon and the steps taken to prevent financial hardship and ensure dignified assistance to bereaved families? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH) (a to c) Government of India attaches high priority to addressing and resolving the issues pertaining to transportation of mortal remains of Indian nationals. As soon as the information about the death of an Indian national comes to the knowledge of the concerned Indian Mission/Post abroad, they take proactive action and if necessary, seek a report from the local Foreign Office and other concerned local authorities regarding the cause of the death of the Indian national. Our Missions and Posts abroad inform the next of kin of the deceased Indian national, and facilitate the transportation of mortal remains to India or the local burial of mortal remains in accordance with the wishes of the family of the deceased. The Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF), set up in 2009, is aimed at assisting Overseas Indians in times of distress in the most deserving cases, on a means-tested basis. The ICWF guidelines have been comprehensively revised w.e.f. September 1, 2017. The revised guidelines have considerably expanded the scope of on-site welfare activities for the benefit of distressed Indian nationals that could be extended through the Fund. The support extended under ICWF includes transportation of mortal remains of Indian nationals at Government expenditure. As and when a request is received from the family/friends of a deceased Indian national for transportation of the mortal remains to India, the concerned Indian Mission takes up the case immediately and liaise with the local authorities for completion of paperwork, issuance of death certificate, facilitation of clearance for transportation of mortals remains to India. Expenditure is incurred from ICWF on incidentals and airlifting mortal remains of deceased Indian national to India or local cremation/burial of deceased in cases where the employer, sponsor or insurance company is unable or unwilling to do so as per the contract and the family is unable to meet the cost. Assistance to the Indian nationals in distress abroad is provided on the means-tested basis. Every request for assistance is examined by the Welfare/ Community/ Consular officer and a three member committee appointed in every Mission and Post. The officer and the committee examines the request with reference to facts and circumstances of the case and financial capability of the concerned Indian national. Data on transportation of mortal remains of 1deceased Indian nationals abroad where expenditure is incurred from ICWF during the last 5 years is placed below. Air lifting of Mortal Remains from ICWF Year No of Beneficiaries Expenditure 2021 422 ₹ 57,095,552.51 2022 507 ₹ 86,544,255.67 2023 433 ₹ 90,638,615.00 2024 488 ₹ 119,650,424.00 2025 (upto September) 312 ₹ 84,859,348.00 ***** 2