Launching the two platforms in New Delhi, Shah said the initiatives would significantly enhance convenience for citizens and organisations, reduce paperwork, and improve governance.
"When the intention is clear, the policy is transparent, and there is a mindset to embrace technology, governance becomes easier for honest people, a strict surveillance system is created for wrongdoers, and the country becomes more secure," Shah said.
Referring to the government's "Minimum Government, Maximum Governance" approach, the Home Minister said the modernisation of public services reflects the Centre's commitment to using technology to improve service delivery.
The e-OCI Card is a fully digital version of the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card that enables applicants to complete the entire process online, from submitting applications and uploading supporting documents to downloading the digitally generated card after approval.
Existing OCI cardholders can also obtain their e-OCI Card digitally in most cases without submitting a fresh application or undergoing physical verification.
A major reform under the new system is that OCI cardholders will no longer need to get a new OCI booklet issued after obtaining a new passport once they are over 20 years of age. Instead, they will simply update their passport details online whenever a new passport is issued.
Shah said the upgraded OCI system addresses several long-standing issues and will benefit more than 50 lakh OCI cardholders worldwide.
"With the digital OCI Card, the problem of losing or damaging documents will be eliminated, and cardholders will be able to carry out real-time verification themselves," he said.
The Ministry of Home Affairs said the digital card can be stored on mobile phones and presented to immigration authorities and airlines, making travel more convenient. Previously issued physical OCI cards will continue to remain valid.
The Bureau of Immigration has issued the following guide for existing OCI cardholders:
1. Log in to the OCI Services Portal using your existing User ID and password. New users must first register using the email address provided during their OCI application.
2. Click on the e-OCI tab on the dashboard.
3. Select 'Generate e-OCI Card' against your application.
4. Download the generated e-OCI Card.
5. Save it on your mobile phone and present the digital card at immigration checkpoints and to airlines whenever required.
Alongside the e-OCI Card, Shah also launched the FCRA 2.0 Portal, a fully digital platform designed to simplify compliance under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act while strengthening monitoring and enforcement.
He said the earlier FCRA system was heavily dependent on paperwork and lacked adequate oversight. The new portal, he added, would make compliance easier for genuine organisations while ensuring stricter monitoring of foreign contributions received with unlawful intentions.
The upgraded portal digitises applications, renewals, annual returns and other services, and integrates with key government databases, including Aadhaar, PAN, OCI, NGO Darpan, banks and the ICAI UDIN system.
Hosted on the Government Cloud (MeghRaj), it features Aadhaar-based authentication, e-Sign, OCR-based document analysis and integrated dashboards. The platform also incorporates the provisions of the new FCRA Amendment Rules, 2026.
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, around 14,500 active FCRA-registered organisations currently operate across India, while 15,000 to 20,000 applications and nearly 17,000 annual returns are processed every year.
Shah said future additions to the portal will include an AI-powered chatbot, a dedicated mobile application and an online dashboard for banks.
