Over six lakh Indians gave up their citizenship while only 10,645 applied to become Indians in last 5 years

New Delhi: Over six lakh Indians have given up their Indian citizenship while only 10,645 people have applied for Indian citizenship during the last five years, Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.

The Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai informed that out of those 10,645 a total of 4,177 people were granted citizenship during the last five years. Those who were granted Indian citizenship included 227 from the US, 7,782 from Pakistan, 795 from Afghanistan and 184 from Bangladesh.

The Union Minister of State was responding to a question raised by Congress MP Hibi Eden.

The Minsiter also said  that 1,33,049 Indians gave up Indian citizenship in 2017, 1,34,561 in 2018, 1,44,017 in 2019, 85,248 in 2020 and 1,11,287 till September 30, 2021.

No. of Indians who gave up Indian Citizenship and took citizenship of other countries

Rai also said that as per the information available with the Ministry of External Affairs, a total number of 1,33,83,718 Indian nationals are living in foreign countries.

The data put before the Lok Sabha shows a declining trend of acquiring citizenship, while 1,106 applicants were given Indian citizenship in 2016, it is only 817 in 2017, 628 in 2018, 987 in 2019 and 639 in 2020.

Number of Persons granted Indian citizenship during last five years (as per data generated from online citizenship module)