What are e-OCI cards | Explained

The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs has launched the Electronic Overseas Citizen of India (e-OCI) card to digitize services for the Indian diaspora. This initiative replaces physical paper booklets with a digital system, streamlining application processes and passport updates for over 50 lakh cardholders.
Why it matters
This digital transformation significantly simplifies administrative procedures for millions of Indian-origin individuals living abroad, reflecting India's broader push toward e-governance.
The story so far : Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the Electronic Overseas Citizen of India (e-OCI) card on June 30, 2026. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said that the card is a major citizen-centric initiative aimed at transforming OCI services for the Indian diaspora through a fully digital system.
The article provides a factual explanation of a government policy change without political commentary.
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