Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the latest user interface in New Delhi on May 19, 2025, launching the improved OCI portal to register overseas citizens. Photo: X/@Amitshah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched India’s new Overseas Citizens (OCI) portal on Monday (May 19, 2025).
Mr Shah said a remodeled OCI portal with an updated user interface has been launched to simplify the registration process for overseas citizens. He said it is necessary to ensure that Indian residents do not face inconvenience when visiting or staying in India.
The new portal will provide enhanced functionality, advanced security and user-friendly experiences for over 5 million OCI cardholders and new users. The new OCI portal is available in https://ociservices.gov.in
The OCI program was introduced through the 1955 Citizenship Act amendment. The plan stipulates that as long as an Indian citizenship is entitled to the registration of Indian origin as a citizen of overseas Indians as long as it is entitled to be an Indian citizen on or after January 26, 1950.
However, individuals who are citizens of Pakistan or Bangladesh, or their parents, grandparents or great-grandparents or people who have been citizens of both countries.
The existing OCI Services Portal was developed in 2013 and currently operates in more than 180 Indian missions and 12 Foreigners Regional Registration Offices (FRROS), processing approximately 2,000 applications per day.
In a statement, the MHA said that in light of technological advances over the past decade and feedback received from OCI cardholders, an improved OCI portal has been developed to address existing restrictions and enhance user experience.
publishing – May 19, 2025 09:37 pm ist
