The Indian government is working diligently to grant citizenship to foreigners through the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) of 2019. The process of identifying foreign infiltrators in the country through the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls (SIR) is also underway at full speed. Amid this massive operation across the country, what is going unnoticed is the exodus of legitimate Indian citizens every year. The central government has admitted this in the Parliament.
Statistics provided by the Narendra Modi government itself shows that more than 20 lakh Indians have left the country since the last 14 years. Which means over 9 lakh Indians left the country in the last five years.
Trend of Indians relinquishing citizenship:
2024: 206,378 people
2023: 216,219 people
2022: 225,620 people
2021: 163,379 people
2020: 85,256 people
Why are Indians leaving the country?
Citizens usually leave the country in this way only when they get better job or business opportunities abroad. Many of the country’s brightest minds often migrate to foreign countries in the hope of high-paying jobs in foreign companies or better opportunities in other countries. This is called ‘brain drain’. This ‘brain drain’ is a problem and a cause for concern for any developing country.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always said that the standard of living of citizens has improved during his tenure and complexities have decreased. But the way India is experiencing brain drain suggests the opposite. In response to a written question in Parliament, the Ministry of External Affairs stated that from 2011 to 2021, the number of people relinquishing citizenship each year fluctuated between 120,000 and 145,000. Three of those years were under Congress rule. Since 2022, the number has exceeded 2 lakhs per year.
But why are so many citizens leaving the country?
According to sources, India’s tax structure has become more complex in recent years. Opportunities for good jobs are decreasing. Moreover, issues like pollution, intolerance, violence, and terrorist attacks are also increasing anxiety among educated, ambitious Indians.
India offers lower salaries, especially in tech, healthcare, and academia, compared to global standards, which is coupled with higher taxes. Youths also migrate for better living standards, social security, healthcare, and gender equality abroad. Insufficient funding for R&D, lack of world-class infrastructure, and limited spots in premier institutions push students abroad.
There is better appreciation for talent, faster career progression, and less bureaucratic hurdles in other countries. Political instability, uncertainty, and cultural/societal pressures also prompts migration.
Although the Ministry of External Affairs has not officially explained any reasons. The ministry stated that many people are relinquishing their Indian citizenship for personal reasons. The absence of dual citizenship is also a major contributing factor.
Does India allow dual citizenship?
The Constitution of India does not allow dual citizenship. Indian law mandates that any citizen who voluntarily acquires the citizenship of another country automatically loses their Indian citizenship. An Indian citizen who acquires foreign nationality is legally required to surrender their Indian passport at the nearest Indian Embassy or Consulate.
However, the Indian government offers the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) status, which provides many of the rights and benefits of a citizen to foreign nationals of Indian origin without granting full citizenship.
OCI is a form of permanent residency, not actual dual citizenship, and OCI holders are foreign citizens. OCI holders receive a multiple-entry, multi-purpose, lifelong visa to visit India, can live and work in India indefinitely, and can own property (excluding agricultural or plantation land). OCI cardholders do not have the right to vote, hold public office, or serve in the Indian armed forces. The scheme is available to persons of Indian origin (or their spouses) who are citizens of other countries, except those who are or have ever been citizens of Pakistan or Bangladesh.