NEW DELHI – In recent years, India has witnessed a rise in the number of its citizens voluntarily relinquishing their citizenship and migrating abroad, driven by a mix of economic aspirations, professional opportunities, educational goals, and perceived socio-political disillusionment.
According to data released by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs, over 17.5 lakh Indians have renounced their citizenship since 2011.
More than 2 lakh Indians gave up their citizenship in 2024, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday. While the figure is similar to that of the previous year, it is slightly lower, data shared by the government revealed.
The Ministry of External Affairs shared the data in response to a question on renouncement of Indian citizenship, asked in Rajya Sabha.
Most Indians who relinquish their citizenship acquire foreign nationality, particularly from countries with strong economies and attractive immigration policies.
A look at how many Indians let go of citizenship since 2011:
2011: 122,819
2012: 120,923
2013: 131,405
2014: 129,328
2015: 131,489
2016: 141,603
2017: 133,049
2018: 134,561
2019: 144,017
2020: 85,256 (COVID dip)
2021: 163,370
2022: 225,620 (highest so far)
2023: 216,219
2024: 2,06,378
Reasons for the Exodus
Multiple factors contribute to this growing trend:
- Economic and Professional Aspirations: Many professionals in the tech, healthcare, and finance sectors seek better salaries, job satisfaction, and quality of life abroad.
- Educational Opportunities: Students opting for higher education overseas often end up settling there, aided by friendly visa-to-residency transitions.
- Global Mobility and Citizenship Privileges: Indian passport holders have relatively fewer visa-free travel options compared to Western citizens. Acquiring a foreign passport increases global access.
- Tax and Regulatory Concerns: High-net-worth individuals (HNIs) and businesspersons are increasingly relocating to avoid India’s complex tax regimes and regulatory constraints.
- Social and Political Climate: A section of the population — particularly minorities, intellectuals, and dissenters — has reportedly cited growing intolerance, curtailed freedoms, and shrinking democratic spaces as reasons for leaving.
While the Indian government maintains Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) for former citizens, India does not permit dual citizenship. This forces those seeking foreign citizenship to renounce their Indian nationality — a significant emotional and legal step.
The government has, however, acknowledged the trend but attributes it primarily to globalisation and individual career or personal choices, downplaying political or economic disillusionment.
