New Delhi: In a striking revelation during the 2025 Monsoon Session of Parliament, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that more than 1.04 million Indians have voluntarily renounced their citizenship between 2019 and 2024.
The data presented shows a consistent upward trend in the number of Indians giving up their Indian passports. The annual figures are as follows:
2019: 1,44,017
2020: 85,256
2021: 1,63,370
2022: 2,25,620 (highest in the period)
2023: 2,16,219
2024: 2,06,378
In total, 10,40,860 Indians have surrendered their citizenship in just six years.
The MEA noted that these individuals migrated to nearly 135 countries across the globe, ranging from major Western nations like the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France, to smaller nations including Iceland, Antigua and Barbuda, Brazil, and even the Vatican.
No Dual Citizenship in India
The Indian Constitution and the Citizenship Act, 1955, do not permit dual citizenship. Article 9 explicitly prohibits holding Indian citizenship alongside that of another country. As a result, those opting for foreign citizenship must relinquish their Indian nationality.
Reasons Behind the Shift
According to the government, many Indians take foreign citizenship for personal convenience or professional reasons. While Indian nationals face no legal restrictions on overseas employment, many settle abroad permanently and adopt new nationalities.
Indians Abroad
As per MEA estimates, around 13 million Indian nationals, including professionals, labourers, and skilled workers, are currently residing in foreign countries.
This trend raises key questions about brain drain, migration policies, and India’s global diaspora strategy moving forward.
