In New Delhi, the FCRA 2.0 Portal and e-OCI Card were introduced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. These initiatives aim to improve services for citizens, especially those dealing with donations under the FCRA. The launch aligns with PM Modi’s “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance” policy, emphasizing transparency and technology adoption.
The event saw the presence of key officials like the Union home secretary and foreign secretary. The system overhaul intends to enhance monitoring of foreign contributions, boosting national security and governance. Features like an AI chatbot and mobile access are planned for future integration, ensuring efficiency and security.
Home Minister Shah highlighted the system’s evolution since 2014, emphasizing the reduction of paperwork and real-time monitoring benefits. The revamped FCRA portal promises streamlined operations for organizations, addressing the surge in applications and donations. The digital platform enhances security measures, eliminates physical document submissions, and integrates advanced technologies for data protection.
The e-OCI card launch resolves previous issues, offering convenience to over 50 lakh cardholders. It eliminates the need for re-issuing the OCI booklet when renewing passports after 20 years. The digital card provides a unique registration number, simplifies verification processes, and prevents document loss or damage.
The FCRA 2.0 Portal, designed to enforce recent FCRA amendments, ensures a hassle-free experience for genuine beneficiaries. With end-to-end digital processes for applications, renewals, and returns, the system caters to around 14,500 active FCRA organizations nationwide. The portal, hosted on the National Government Cloud, incorporates modern features like Aadhaar-based authentication and process re-engineering for efficiency.
The e-OCI Card initiative revolutionizes OCI services for the global Indian diaspora, offering a fully digital application process. Applicants can complete all procedures online, from submission to card download post-approval. Existing cardholders can also obtain their e-OCI Card digitally in most cases, without reapplying or physical verification. The new system eliminates the need for re-issuing OCI booklets upon passport renewal after two decades.
