New Delhi— On May 19, 2025, Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled a newly revamped Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) portal in New Delhi, aiming to simplify and enhance the user experience for over five million OCI cardholders and new applicants worldwide. Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the initiative, highlighting it as a significant advancement in citizen-friendly digital governance.
Key Facts:
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Launch Date: May 19, 2025
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Target Users: Over 5 million existing OCI cardholders and new applicants globally
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Portal Features: Enhanced user interface, improved functionality, and advanced security measures
The upgraded portal, accessible at ociservices.gov.in, introduces several user-centric features, including auto-fill capabilities, a personalized dashboard for tracking application status, and an integrated online payment gateway. These enhancements aim to address previous system shortcomings and provide a seamless user experience.
Prime Minister Modi emphasized the government's commitment to modernizing services for the Indian diaspora, stating,
"With enhanced features and improved functionality, the new OCI Portal marks a major step forward in boosting citizen-friendly digital governance."
The OCI card, introduced in 2005, grants individuals of Indian origin who have acquired foreign citizenship the ability to travel to India without a visa for life and provides certain economic and educational rights. The revamped portal reflects the government's ongoing efforts to strengthen ties with the global Indian community through technological advancements.
Do You Know? The OCI scheme was introduced in 2005 through an amendment to the Citizenship Act, 1955, allowing Persons of Indian Origin to register as Overseas Citizens of India.
Key Terms:
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OCI (Overseas Citizen of India): A form of permanent residency available to people of Indian origin, allowing them to live and work in India indefinitely.
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Dashboard: A user interface feature that provides a summary view of application statuses and other relevant information.
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Integrated Online Payment Gateway: A system that securely allows users to make payments through the portal.