The Central Information Commission (CIC) has recommended that the University of Delhi maintain records of foreign students admitted through Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards, following concerns over the absence of such data despite its relevance to the university’s admission process.
Delhi University has long attracted students from across the world, offering opportunities to international applicants through its foreign admissions process. However, concerns have been raised over the university’s failure to maintain separate records of students admitted under the OCI category, affecting transparency and public access to information.
Information Commissioner Sudha Rani Relangi, in her order, observed that the non-maintenance of records relating to foreign students admitted through OCI cards, despite such information forming part of the university’s admission process, was a “matter of concern”.
The matter arose after Advocate Sanjukta Basu filed a Right to Information (RTI) application in May 2025 seeking details from Delhi University’s Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) regarding the number of foreign students who applied for admission between 2020 and 2024. The application also sought information on applicants who had applied as Indian citizens while availing the benefits of an OCI card rather than through the foreign student category.
In response, the CPIO stated that the request had been forwarded to the Dean, who was the deemed Public Information Officer under the RTI Act. However, as the required information had not yet been received from the Dean’s office, the appellant was advised to pursue the matter with the concerned authority.
Dissatisfied with the response, the appellant filed a first appeal. The First Appellate Authority directed the Dean (Foreign Students’ Registry) to provide the necessary information to the CPIO within two weeks. As the direction was not complied with, the appellant subsequently approached the CIC.
During the proceedings, it was argued that Delhi University’s admission application form provides an option for foreign applicants to seek admission under the OCI category by submitting either a foreign passport or an OCI card. The appellant contended that the existence of this option indicated that the university ought to possess the relevant data, despite the CPIO’s inability to provide it.
During the hearing, Delhi University informed the Commission that while it maintains overall statistics on foreign student admissions, it does not keep separate records of students admitted using OCI or Person of Indian Origin (PIO) cards. The university submitted that foreign applicants had generally been admitted based on their foreign passports and, consequently, no distinct database existed for OCI or PIO card holders.
Taking note of the matter, the Commission recommended that Delhi University maintain a public record of foreign students admitted through OCI cards in the interest of transparency and proactive disclosure under the RTI Act. The Commission further directed that its order be placed before the Vice-Chancellor of Delhi University for consideration and instructed the university to submit a compliance report on the recommendations within six weeks.
The recommendation is expected to strengthen transparency in Delhi University’s foreign admissions process by ensuring better record-keeping and improving public access to information, thereby promoting greater institutional accountability in line with the objectives of the RTI Act.
An Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card is issued to eligible foreign nationals of Indian origin, granting them lifelong visa-free travel to India and several benefits similar to those available to Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). However, an OCI card does not confer Indian citizenship, voting rights, or eligibility to hold constitutional or certain government offices. In university admissions, OCI card holders may be eligible to apply under specific admission categories, subject to the institution’s regulations.
RAJARSHI GHOSH
Image Source: Indian OCI – Gateway Visa
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