India Launches New OCI Portal – Upgraded Version with a Digital Boost
New Delhi, May 20, 2025: In a significant step toward enhancing digital public services for the Indian diaspora, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday officially launched the revamped Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) portal in New Delhi. The new portal is designed to be more efficient, accessible, and user-friendly for millions of individuals of Indian origin living abroad.
The OCI card provides lifelong visa-free travel to India and access to a range of economic, financial, and educational benefits. Given the increasing number of OCI cardholders worldwide, the need for a modern, responsive platform became a top priority for the Ministry of Home Affairs.
“The revamped OCI portal is a reflection of the government’s commitment to ensure citizen-friendly digital governance. It simplifies processes, enhances user experience, and integrates modern tech solutions for smoother access to essential services,” Amit Shah said at the launch event.
The upgraded portal is a direct response to both technological advancements over the past decade and valuable user feedback highlighting challenges with the previous version. Many users reported navigation difficulties and delays in processing. The new interface, developed with an emphasis on clarity and speed, aims to fix these pain points while improving service delivery efficiency.
Features of the new portal include simplified registration processes, better real-time tracking of applications, improved backend integration with Indian missions abroad, and a more responsive design adaptable to various devices.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also shared his thoughts on the launch via the social media platform X, stating:
“With enhanced features and improved functionality, the new OCI Portal marks a major step forward in boosting citizen-friendly digital governance.”
This initiative is part of the Indian government’s broader vision to connect more deeply with the global Indian community and provide them with seamless access to essential services. The move is expected to significantly reduce paperwork, increase transparency, and bring India’s digital diplomacy efforts in line with global standards.
The launch of the upgraded OCI portal is not just a technological enhancement—it’s a reaffirmation of India’s bond with its diaspora, showcasing the nation’s commitment to making every global Indian feel more connected to their roots.
