A growing number of Indians have exited the country in recent years — with nearly nine lakh people renouncing citizenship since 2020. Data shared by the Ministry of External Affairs revealed that the number had risen sharply during this time to reach a whopping 2,06,378 renouncements in 2024. The MEA also told Parliament on Thursday that it had received 16,127 complaints from Indians living abroad during the past year.
Union Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh told the Rajya Sabha on Thursday that 85,256 people had given up their Indian citizenship in 2020. The number rose to 1,63,370 in 2021 and then to 2,25,620 the next year. It stood at 2,16,219 in 2023 before rising further to 2,06,378 in 2024. The written response also noted that the Ministry did not have information about the income profile and occupation of these individuals.
“For reference purpose, the data was 1,22,819 (in 2011); 1,20,923 (in 2012); 1,31,405 (in 2013); 1,29,328 (in 2014); 1,31,489 (in 2015); 1,41,603 (in 2016); 1,33,049 (in 2017); 1,34,561 (in 2018) and 1,44,017 (in 2019)” the MEA added.
Complaints from Indians living abroad
Notably, in another response to a question on the number of complaints received from Indians living abroad during 2024–25, the MoS said that the MEA received 16,127 complaints. The complaints were registered through the government’s online grievance platforms, including MADAD, which accounted for 11,195 cases, and CPGRAMS, which received 4,932 cases.
Saudi Arabia topped the list of countries reporting the highest number of distress cases, with 3,049 complaints, followed by the UAE (1,587), Malaysia (662), the US (620), Oman (613), Kuwait (549), Canada (345), Australia (318), the UK (299) and Qatar (289) amongst others.
The Minister said India has a “robust and multi-channel mechanism” for grievance redressal, using emergency helplines, walk-ins, social media and 24×7 multilingual support. Most cases, he said, are resolved promptly through direct communication, mediation with employers, and coordination with foreign authorities. Delays in a limited number of cases were attributed to incomplete information, non-cooperation by employers, and restrictions on the role of Indian missions in ongoing court matters.
Issue of multiple passports?
The MEA also fielded questions about people “obtaining more than one passport through fraudulent means” during the Rajya Sabha session on Thursday.
“During the last five years, Passport Authorities in India and abroad have received 1343 complaints regarding double/multiple passports. In all such cases, actions such as impounding/revoking of the passports have been taken under the provisions of the Passports Act,” explained Singh.