Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2026 Notified; OCI Services Go Digital

The Government has notified the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2026 on 30th April, 2026. The Rules revise provisions related to Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders and citizenship applications. The amendments update the Citizenship Rules, 2009. 

Under the revised framework, all applications for OCI card registration and renunciation will now be submitted electronically through the official portal – ociservices.gov.in. Applications for registration as an OCI cardholder must be made in the designated form online. 

Changes in Documentation and Card Format 

The Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2026 remove the earlier requirement for applicants to submit documents in duplicate. Additionally, the government has introduced an electronic OCI (e-OCI) system. Under this provision, registered individuals may receive either a physical OCI card or an electronic OCI registration.  

Passport Rules for Minors  

According to the Citizenship (Amendment) 2026 Rules, a minor is not allowed to hold the passport of another country while also holding an Indian passport at any time.  

Renunciation and Surrender Requirements 

For individuals declaring renunciation of OCI status, the 2026 Citizenship Amendment Rules mandate surrender of the original physical OCI card. This must be done at the nearest Indian Mission, Post, or Foreigners Regional Registration Officer. 

Biometric Consent for Fast Track Immigration Programme 

Applicants for OCI registration will now be required to sign a consent form to opt into the Fast Track Immigration Programme. This includes agreeing to the collection of biometric information during the registration process. 

Changes in forms 

The Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2026 further substitutes to introduce the following forms: 

• Details to be incorporated in the Overseas Citizen of India Card to be issued to the applicant either in physical for or as e-OCI registration
• Register of Persons registered as Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder under Section 7A, renounced under Section 7C and cancelled under Section 7D of the Citizenship Act, 1955
• Declaration of the Renunciation of the Card registering as an Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder/e-OCI registration under Section 7C(1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955 made by an Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder 
• Acknowledgement form