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...
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.
***** 3