New Delhi: The Centre has notified the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2026, introducing new provisions for Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders and citizenship-related applications.

The Ministry of Home Affairs said the amendments update the Citizenship Rules, 2009 through a gazette notification. One key change is that a minor cannot hold both an Indian passport and a foreign passport at the same time.

Under the new rules, all OCI registration and renunciation applications must be submitted online through the official portal. Applicants will use designated electronic forms for registration. For renouncing OCI status, individuals must surrender their original physical card to the nearest Indian Mission, Post, or Foreigners Regional Registration Office.

The government has also removed the earlier requirement of submitting duplicate documents. A new system of electronic OCI (e-OCI) has been introduced, allowing issuance of either a physical card or a digital registration.

Applicants opting for OCI will now need to sign a consent form to join the Fast Track Immigration Programme, which includes collection of biometric data during registration.