Home Ministry discontinues ‘Black Lists’ of Indian-Origin People

May 9, 2019

The Ministry of Home Affairs announced that it has put an end to the local adverse lists commonly known as ‘Black Lists’ of Indian-origin people.

It is maintained by Indian missions (Indian Embassies in different countries) and posts abroad.
It contains list of Indian-origin people who have taken asylum (i.e. right to international protection in this other country) abroad under plea of alleged persecution in India. These asylum seekers in list are predominantly Sikhs.
Those who are in list are denied visa services by Indian missions and posts in respective country.
Recent Developments: Such Indian-origin asylees (person who is seeking or granted political asylum) and their family members who are now not in adverse list, will be granted visa and consular services at par with foreigners of country in which they are living. They can also get Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cards if they have held normal Indian visas for at least two years.

Note: An OCI card holder is an immigration status which permits a foreign citizen of Indian origin to live and work in India indefinitely.