Dear Hon'ble Home Minister Amit Shah Ji, Hon'ble External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar Ji, and
Hon'ble Minister of Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw Ji,

We, the undersigned members of the Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) community, respectfully urge the Government of India to reconsider the current eligibility criteria for Aadhaar enrolment for OCI card holders.

At present, OCI holders can only apply for an Aadhaar card if they have resided in India for at least 182 days in the 12 months immediately preceding the application and possess a valid Indian address. 

This strict requirement creates significant practical hardships for millions of loyal OCI holders who frequently visit India but do not maintain long-term physical residency. An Aadhaar card would bring immense convenience and ease of living during our visits to  India. 

It would enable us to:

• Obtain a mobile SIM card in our own name
• Link bank accounts smoothly for digital payments and financial transactions
• Book railway and other transport tickets without repeated difficulties
• Submit digital life certificates for family pensions (especially critical for senior citizens)

Many OCI holders, including elderly parents and retirees who have served the nation, face unnecessary obstacles at railway stations, banks, and government offices simply because they lack this widely accepted Indian identification. 

A poignant example is the struggle faced by senior citizens in submitting pension life certificates digitally without Aadhaar.

We fully understand the need for robust verification. To address security and identity concerns, we propose that the authenticity of OCI applicants be verified through the nearest Indian Consulate or Embassy.

Granting OCI holders access to Aadhaar by waiving the 182-day residency and mandatory Indian address requirements would be a progressive, citizen-friendly step. It would strengthen the bond between India and its global diaspora.

This small policy adjustment would bring great relief and satisfaction to the vast OCI community spread across the world, many of whom continue to contribute to India's growth through investments, knowledge transfer, and frequent visits.

We humbly request your kind intervention to direct the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to introduce a simplified pathway for OCI holders.

Jai Hind !!