Overseas Indians say the current online procedure can be confusing, particularly for senior citizens, and seek a dedicated passport-update option
New Delhi: OCI cardholders living outside India are seeking a simpler process to update their passport details after renewing their passports, with senior citizens among those who can face difficulties navigating the existing online procedure.
The issue relates to the options available under OCI Miscellaneous Services on the OCI portal. A representation submitted through the PM Portal has raised concerns that the process can be lengthy and confusing for applicants who only need to update their passport information following renewal.
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The concern is particularly relevant in cases where there has been no change in the applicant’s name, nationality or other personal particulars.
Request for a dedicated passport-update service
The representation has proposed introducing a separate service on the OCI portal titled “Update OCI with Renewed/New Passport.”
Under the proposed system, an OCI cardholder would only need to enter the details of the renewed or new passport and upload the passport photograph and biographical-information page as a PDF.
The request argues that where an applicant’s other personal details remain unchanged, a routine passport renewal should not require them to navigate complicated procedures or services intended for other types of OCI updates.
Senior citizens among those facing difficulties
The issue can be particularly challenging for senior citizen OCI cardholders living abroad, especially those who are not familiar with online government services.
In such cases, elderly applicants may have to depend on their children, relatives or others to complete the online procedure. A process that should involve a straightforward update can therefore become an additional administrative burden.
The concern is not limited to senior citizens. Other OCI cardholders and people of Indian origin living overseas may also find the different options under OCI Miscellaneous Services difficult to understand.
Overseas Indians seek easier government procedures
At a time when India is seeking to strengthen its engagement with NRIs and the global Indian diaspora, easier government procedures are equally important. Complicated processes for routine documentation can create unnecessary frustration and may discourage overseas Indians from using official services.
A dedicated passport-update facility could make it easier for OCI cardholders to update their records without having to go through unnecessary steps when their other personal particulars remain unchanged.
The representation has asked the concerned authorities to review the existing procedure and consider introducing a clear, dedicated and user-friendly service for renewed or new passport updates.
The proposed change is a request for procedural simplification and does not indicate that any change to the existing OCI process has been approved or announced by the government.