India citizenship rules 2026 changes

The government has introduced new amendments to India’s citizenship rules, effective in 2026. These changes impact Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders and the electoral roll process.

Previously, OCI applications required paper submissions and various documentation in duplicate. Now, all applications for OCI card registration and renunciation will be submitted electronically through an official portal. The government has also eliminated the need for duplicate documents.

Under the new rules, a minor child cannot hold a passport from another country while having an Indian passport. Registered individuals may receive either a physical OCI card or an electronic OCI registration under the electronic OCI (e-OCI) system.

OCI applicants will now need to sign a new consent form if they wish to participate in the Fast Track Immigration Programme. This change aims to streamline the application process.

In contrast, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has led to significant changes in voter registration. The SIR has resulted in a net removal of 5.2 crore persons from the electoral rolls across twelve states. This marks the first intensive revision since 2003.

The revision particularly impacts D-voters—individuals flagged for verification—such as the 119,570 D-voters recorded in Assam as of August 2024. Among these D-voters, there were 70,723 women as of October 2019.

The removal of voters raises concerns regarding representation and electoral participation. Critics argue that many individuals marked as D-voters face challenges in proving their citizenship status before the Foreigners Tribunal.

The Ministry of Home Affairs oversees these changes, aiming to modernize the citizenship application process while addressing issues within electoral rolls. The implications of these amendments are still unfolding as citizens adapt to new requirements.