2,16,219 People Gave Up Indian Citizenship In 2023; "Reason Is Personal," Says Centre
New Delhi: According to data presented by the government in Lok Sabha, 2,16,219 Indian renounced their citizenship in 2023. The data was tabled on Friday, December 13 by Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, in a written response to questions raised by Lok Sabha members Vijay Vasanth from Kanyakumari and Manickam Tagore from Virudhunagar.
The figures for previous years are listed as 2,25,620 (in 2022); 1,63,370 (in 2021); 85,256 (in 2020); 1,44,017 (in 2019);1,34,561 (in 2018); 1,33,049 (in 2017);1,41,603 (in 2016); 1,31,489 (in 2015); 1,29,328 (in 2014); 1,31,405 (in 2013); 1,20,923 (in 2012); and 1,22,819 (in 2011).
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The numbers show a steady increase over the past few years. When the Lok Sabha leaders asked for the reasons behind the exodus, the government maintains that personal reasons are major factor behind such decisions. “The reasons for renouncing/taking citizenship are personal. The Government recognizes the potential of the global workplace in an era of knowledge economy,” Minister said.
Continuing further, the Minister has acknowledged the potential of the global workplace and the transformational change it brought in its engagement with Indian diaspora.
“India stands to gain a lot from tapping its diaspora networks and productive utilization of the soft power that comes from having such a flourishing diaspora. The Government’s efforts are also aimed at harnessing the diaspora potential to its fullest including through sharing of knowledge and expertise,” Minister said.
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In addition, the government gave a list of 135 countries, as the destinations for Indians over the past three years. Some of them are USA, UAE, The Netherlands, South Africa, Germany and Saudi Arabia.
The government also gives details about facilities availed by Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cardholders. 51,00,796 OCI cards have been issued by the Ministry till date, Minister has said. The benefits received by the OCI cardholders in India include multiple entry lifelong visa for visiting purposes; exemption from registration with Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) or Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) concerning their stay; parity with Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in respect of all facilities available to them; equal treatment in matter of inter-country adoption of Indian children; equal treatment with resident Indian nationals in the matter of tariffs in air fares in domestic sectors in India; same entry fee as domestic Indian visitors regarding their visit to national parks, monuments etc., freedom to pursue a list of jobs, and eligibility for admission by appearing for the All India Pre-Medical Test or such other tests.
