India Expands OCI Eligibility for 5th and 6th Generation Indian Origin Tamils in Sri Lanka

Key Point  

• India has announced that OCI eligibility will now extend to 5th and 6th generation Indian Origin Tamils, expanding access beyond the previous 4th‑generation limit. 

Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Cards for Sri Lanka  

India announced a significant expansion of eligibility for the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card on April 20, 2026.  As a result, officials will now allow 5th- and 6th-generation Indian-origin Tamils (IOTs) in Sri Lanka to apply for OCI status, increasing the previous generational cap from 4th generation. 

The announcement responds to a long-standing request from the IOT community and is expected to broaden access to documentation that supports cultural, familial, and mobility ties with India.  

The government also confirmed that the OCI application process will be simplified by accepting Sri Lankan government–issued certificates as evidence of lineage. Examples of acceptable certificates include: 

• Certificates of Registration 
• India–Sri Lanka passports 
• Records held by the High Commission of India in Colombo and the Assistant High Commission in Kandy  

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