Overview
- The revamped Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) portal was launched on May 19, 2025, by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi.
- The portal introduces a modernized user interface, enhanced cybersecurity measures, and streamlined application processes for over five million OCI cardholders worldwide.
- Key features include auto-filled forms, personalized dashboards, integrated payment options, editing capabilities, and built-in tools for uploading documents and images.
- The OCI scheme, established in 2005, allows eligible Indian Origin to register for lifelong visa-free travel and residence in India, though those with ties to Pakistan or Bangladesh remain ineligible.
- The portal, accessible at https://ociservices.gov.in, replaces the 2013 platform and addresses user feedback to improve functionality and accessibility across 180 Indian missions and 12 FRROs.