The 2026 amendments to India’s citizenship rules introduce significant changes to the application process for Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders. These changes come alongside the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, which has raised concerns among various stakeholders.
Before these amendments, the process for OCI card registration was more cumbersome. Applicants had to submit documents in duplicate and were not able to register electronically.
Now, all applications for OCI registration and renunciation will be submitted electronically through an official portal. This shift aims to streamline processes and enhance efficiency.
Key changes include:
- The removal of the duplicate document requirement for applicants.
- A minor child cannot hold a passport from another country while also holding an Indian passport.
- Individuals may now receive either a physical OCI card or an electronic OCI registration under the e-OCI system.
Additionally, OCI applicants must sign a new consent form to opt into the Fast Track Immigration Programme, further emphasizing the government’s focus on modernization.
The impact of these revisions is felt most acutely by D-voters in Assam. As of August 2024, there are 119,570 D-voters in Assam, including 70,723 women as recorded in October 2019. In total, approximately 3 lakh individuals were marked as D-voters due to previous revisions.
The implications of these changes raise questions about how they will affect voter representation and access to citizenship rights for those impacted by the SIR. Experts suggest that this could lead to increased scrutiny from the Foreigners Tribunal regarding citizenship applications.
