Revised rules for OCI cardholders and minor children holding two passports

A Important updated rules for minor children . Minors cannot carry two passports. Since now, passports can only be purchased on the internet. Each change has a clearly defined procedures that are completely carried out online. This process is intended to improving the digital record-keeping process for citizenship issues.

We have listed the most commonly used concept to the most important provisions for minors with two passports, mostly renunciation, surrender or cancellation, as well as the simplified citizenship forms and procedures.

Let’s look at which rules have been changed since the Citizenship (Amendment) Regulations 2026.

Table of Contents

Strict rule for minor children holding Indian passports

There are two fundamental rules that apply to

Clarifications added to Rule 3 that the minor child is not able to hold a passport issued by another country, while also having the Indian passport.

Ministry of Home Affairs notification, “Provided that the applicant in such cases shall note that the minor child cannot at any time hold the passport of any other country while also holding the Indian passport.”

Introduction of digital records and e-OCI

Registration of OCI cardholders will receive the OCI Card in physical shape, or as an electronically (e-OCI) registration. The latter will include the information in the form XXIX. The issuing authority has to keep an account of OCI cardholders who have an electronic version according to the notice.

OCI applications will be completely accessible online

The government has simplified the procedure of making an application the OCI card. Services such as OCI applicant registrations, OCI card renunciation declarations acknowledgements issued, and the maintenance of records electronically are made available on the internet.

The gazettee said that Application Form XXVIII must be submitted electronically on the official website, https://ociservices.gov.in, in order to register as an OCI cardholder under Section 7A.

The process is clear for OCI card Renunciation

In accordance with the new regulations in the new rules, cancellation from an OCI card has to be done electronically through the portal. If a person owns an OCI card that is in physical form, then the card holder has to submit the card electronically. Authorities issue an electronic acknowledgment following the submission of an OCI card. In addition, the applicant’s name will be deleted from official records.

Rules for the cancellation of OCI registration

If the government approves the decision to remove OCI cards, OCI credit card, then the holder must surrender his card’s physical copy. They must hand over the card’s physical form to the authorities for cancellation.

OCI cards are issued upon delivery to authorities. OCI Card will become deactivated after the card is delivered to authorities. If it’s not received to the central government, they can decide that it should be regarded as cancelled.

If you have an e-OCI card If the government approves the order for cancellation the card the registration will be deemed to be cancelled. Authorities will change the cancellation of the card into its electronic record.

Review mechanism and appeals added

If someone files an appeal based on their citizenship, the appeal will be decided by an authority that is one greater than the one designated for the decision of an application for citizenship.

If a person file an appeal to the decision regarding the cancellation or registration on the OCI card A central government-specified authority will dismiss the appeal.

However, authorities may take action on such cases only after allowing a fair chance to the person affected to argue their situation.

Biometric consent

Individuals have to sign their consent to sharing biometric data to facilitate OCI card registration to enable their registration in the Fast Track Immigration Program when they apply to participate in this program.

The public should also provide the information needed to be able to make an automated registration in the Fast Track Immigration Programme using the biometric information they have provided.