Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the Electronic Overseas Citizen of India (e-OCI) card and the FCRA 2.0 portal on June 30, 2026, in New Delhi.
The initiative aims to transition public services into fully digital systems.
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According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the e-OCI card modernizes document access for over 5 million overseas Indian citizens who previously relied on paper booklets.
The upgraded foreign contribution compliance portal, FCRA 2.0, implements automated processing, Aadhaar-based authentication, electronic signatures, and optical character recognition technology.
This system monitors non-governmental organizations receiving international funds.
Government data shows approximately 16,000 active associations are currently registered under the compliance framework.
These associations collectively draw nearly 22,000 crore rupees annually in foreign contributions.
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The Ministry of Home Affairs stated that the dual platform rollout reduces physical paperwork, accelerates identity verification at international airports, and prevents fraudulent document use during immigration clearance.
Registered users can generate and download the digital credential by logging into the official online portal.
The e-OCI card functions as an additional travel facility alongside valid physical booklets.
Revised regulations require overseas cardholders to update passport changes online after turning 20 years old, instead of applying for full document reissuance.
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Special permits remain mandatory for overseas citizens seeking to engage in journalism, research, mountaineering, or employment at foreign diplomatic missions within the country.
