6.76 lakh people renounced Indian citizenship since 2015: MHA

Over 6.76 lakh people have renounced Indian citizenship in five years since 2015 while another 1.24 crore Indians are living in foreign countries, the Ministry of Home Affairs informed Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

This was disclosed in a written reply by Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai to questions raised by Congress MP Karti Chidambaram.

According to official figures, 6,76,074 people gave up Indian citizenship between 2015 and 2019.

The highest number was in 2016 when 1,44,942 renounced citizenship followed by 1,41,656 in 2015. It decreased further in 2017 and 2018 when 1,27,905 and 1,25,130 such cases were reported.

However in 2019, the number increased again to touch 1,36,441.

To a question on the number of Indians currently living in foreign countries, Rai said 1,24,99,395 Indian nationals are living in foreign countries as per the information available with the Ministry of External Affairs.

Rai also said the Government was not considering any proposal for providing dual citizenship.

When asked about whether there has been an increase in the number of people seeking Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cards, Rai said 36,99,476 people have been granted OCI cards between 2005 and 2020.

*No of Indians who gave up Indian citizenship and took citizenship of other countries
2015 -- 1,41,656
2016 -- 1,44,942
2017 -- 1,27,905
2018 -- 1,25,130
2019 -- 1,36,441
Total -- 6,76,074

*1,24,99,395 Indian nationals are living in foreign countries

*No. of Foreigners Registered as Overseas Indian Citizens (OCI) Cardholders
2015 3,16,331
2016 4,03,900
2017 4,05,522
2018 3,39,513
2019 3,29,352
2020 1,91,609
Total (from 2005) -- 36,99,476