Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a revamped Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) portal on May 19, 2025, in New Delhi, marking a significant upgrade in services for the global Indian community. The new portal, developed by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), aims to provide a more user-friendly, efficient, and secure experience for OCI cardholders.

The OCI scheme, introduced in 2005, allows Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) who were citizens of India on or after January 26, 1950, or were eligible to become citizens on that date, to register as Overseas Citizens of India. This grants them certain privileges, including visa-free entry to India and rights related to property ownership, economic participation, and education. However, those who are or have been citizens of Pakistan or Bangladesh, or whose parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents were citizens of those countries, are not eligible for OCI registration.

Speaking at the launch, Amit Shah emphasized the government's commitment to providing world-class immigration facilities to OCI cardholders, stating that efforts are being made to ensure they face no inconvenience when visiting or staying in India. He highlighted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is continuously striving to improve services for its diaspora.

The revamped portal, accessible at the existing URL (https://ociservices.gov.in) boasts several new features designed to streamline the registration process and enhance user experience. These include:

• User-friendly Interface: An updated interface simplifies navigation and makes the portal more accessible to users.
• Simplified Registration: The portal streamlines the registration process for Overseas Citizens with user sign-up and segregation of registration menu.
• Auto-fill Feature: The auto-fill option for user profile details in registration forms saves time and reduces errors.
• Dashboard: A dashboard displays completed and partially filled applications, allowing users to track their progress easily.
• Integrated Online Payment Gateway: An integrated online payment gateway simplifies the payment process for those who filed in FRROs.
• Seamless Navigation: Seamless navigation across application steps ensures a smoother experience.
• Categorized Documents: The categorization of required documents for upload based on application type makes it easier for applicants to submit the necessary paperwork.
• Editing Option: Applicants can now edit their information at any stage before submission, reducing the chances of errors.
• Integrated FAQ: An integrated FAQ section provides quick answers to common queries.
• Eligibility Display: Display of eligibility criteria and requisite documents based on selected application type, ensuring clarity for applicants.
• In-built Image Cropping Tool: An in-built image cropping tool for uploading applicant photos and signatures.
• Reminder to Verify: A reminder prompts applicants to verify their information before final submission.

The existing OCI Services portal was developed in 2013 and operates in over 180 Indian missions abroad and 12 Foreigners Regional Registration Offices (FRROs), processing approximately 2,000 applications daily. The revamped portal addresses limitations of the previous system and incorporates feedback from OCI cardholders to meet the growing demand for accessible and reliable digital services. The new portal will provide enhanced functionality, advanced security, and a user-friendly experience for the existing over 5 million OCI cardholders and new users. The upgraded platform is expected to not only ease bureaucratic processes but also strengthen India's connection with its diaspora, reinforcing efforts to provide responsive and citizen-centric digital infrastructure.

The launch of the revamped OCI portal reaffirms the government's commitment to harnessing technology in service delivery and ensuring that Indians abroad remain closely integrated with their country of origin.