NationalTuesday, 5 May 2026·https://testbook.com/current-affairs/05-may-2026-daily-current-affairs
MHA notifies Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2026: OCI moves fully digital and minor dual passports barred
The Ministry of Home Affairs notified the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2026 on 1 May 2026, creating an electronic OCI framework and tightening rules for minors holding Indian passports.
Key highlights
Direct fact
In May 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs notified the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2026, introducing a fully electronic Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) process under the Citizenship Rules, 2009 and adding a new restriction on minors holding dual passports.
Key specifics
- Rule 3 of the Citizenship Rules, 2009 now bars minors holding an Indian passport from simultaneously holding a passport of any other country.
- Section 7A is used for online OCI registration through Form XXVIII on the designated portal.
- Rule 29 removes the physical duplicate filing requirement for OCI applications.
- Rule 33 allows electronic OCI registration in Form XXIX along with physical cards.
- Rules 34 and 35 require electronic submission of Form XXXI for renunciation and cancellation of OCI status.
Exam lens
Polity and governance MCQ: Citizenship Rules, 2009, Section 7A, Rule 3, Rule 29, Rule 33, Rule 34 and Rule 35 are the key terms; ask who issues OCI-related rules and what new digital forms were introduced.