e-OCI Registration Portal Not Working – Anyone Facing the Same Issue?

I would first check whether the problem is with the registration page specifically rather than the entire OCI system.

The official OCI portal currently has separate sections for:

• New user registration
• Existing user login
• OCI application/status
• OCI Miscellaneous Services
• e-OCI card generation

The application status page, for example, asks for an Application ID, passport number, and captcha.

If you're already an OCI cardholder and your only objective is downloading the digital card, you may not need to start a fresh OCI registration.

The official e-OCI FAQ also says that if the portal shows "Record Not Found," applicants should first verify their details and, if the problem continues, contact the concerned Indian Mission/Post, FRRO, or designated helpdesk.

I'd avoid resubmitting forms until you know whether the first attempt went through.

I had a slightly different problem. Registration worked, but I couldn't get into my account afterward.

The login page is separate from the registration page, and it asks for the email ID, password, and CAPTCHA. There is also a Forgot your password? option.

One thing I'd check is whether you're actually trying to create a new OCI application or just trying to access an existing OCI record to generate e-OCI.

The new e-OCI facility is available through the OCI portal, but the government FAQ says the e-OCI card is downloaded using the email address linked to the OCI record.

So the steps aren't necessarily the same for a first-time OCI applicant and someone who already has an OCI card.

If you've already got an OCI number, I wouldn't create another registration just because the e-OCI section isn't working.

I registered recently and initially thought the portal was completely down because the CAPTCHA kept failing for me.

What eventually worked was using a normal desktop browser, entering the name exactly as it appears on my current passport, and requesting the email OTP again. The OCI registration page specifically tells applicants to use their current passport details and an active email address.

I'd also check the spam/junk folder if you're waiting for an email. The portal's current instructions emphasize that the OTP sent to the registered email should not be shared with anyone.

Before trying several more registrations, I'd wait and see whether the first attempt actually created the account.

The official portal is definitely live for me at the moment, so it may be an intermittent issue rather than a permanent shutdown. The government has also recently introduced the e-OCI system, so some people are understandably running into unfamiliar screens and processes.

I wouldn't worry too much unless the problem continues for several days. Government application portals occasionally undergo maintenance or experience heavy traffic, especially around weekends or holidays.

One suggestion is to note the exact error message or take screenshots if the issue keeps happening. If you eventually need to contact the Consulate or VFS, having those details can make it easier to explain what you've already tried.

Also, double-check that your browser isn't blocking pop-ups or downloads related to the application. It wasn't the cause in my case, but it's another thing worth ruling out.

Remember that portal behavior can change over time, so if the issue persists, it's best to verify whether any official maintenance notices have been posted.

I applied from Canada earlier this year and experienced random logout issues. The portal would automatically sign me out after being inactive for a while, especially while I was preparing documents for upload.

After that happened once, I started saving every page before moving to the next step. I also resized my PDF files because one document was much larger than the recommended limit. The next attempt went much more smoothly.

In my case, I didn't need to contact the Consulate because the problem resolved itself after a day or two. Technical issues seem to come and go, so patience sometimes helps.