Lok Sabha Question No. 2456 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-13
Subject: Single Window System for Death Cases of Indians Abroad
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Kunduru Raghuveer

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2456

## ANSWERED ON 13/02/2026

SINGLE WINDOW SYSTEM FOR DEATH CASES OF INDIANS ABROAD 2456. SHRI SHRI KUNDURU RAGHUVEER

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :-

(a) whether the Government has established or proposes to establish a Single Window System to assist Indian families in case of death of a citizen abroad, including documentation, repatriation of mortal remains, insurance claims, legal procedures and financial support, if so, the details thereof;

(b) the details of the current mechanism followed by Indian missions abroad to coordinate such cases;

(c) whether there is a centralized portal or dashboard to track the status of death-related assistance, if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government has developed inter-ministerial protocols involving   MEA,   Ministry   of   Home   Affairs,   Civil   Aviation   and   State Governments to ensure time-bound redressal and dignified handling of such deaths, if so, the details thereof; and

(e) whether families have faced challenges in accessing support and compensation due to lack of coordination, specially Nalgonda district of Telangana and if so, the details of corrective steps being taken by the Government?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a)   to   (c)   The   Government   attaches   high   priority   to   addressing   and resolving issues affecting Indian nationals abroad,  including cases of deaths, local cremation/burial and transportation of mortal remains to their home towns in India.

The Ministry has a well-established mechanism/SOPs to coordinate with all Missions /Posts abroad to provide help to Indian nationals abroad in cases of death or transportation of mortal remains to their home towns in India. Transportation of mortal remains of Indians who die abroad, involves completion of certain formalities as per the local laws before local authorities allow such body/bodies to be transported to India. In case  the   death   is   unnatural,   police   investigations   will   have   to   be completed. There exists a well established mechanism in all Indian Missions/Posts to handle such cases with utmost priority. As soon as

the information about the death of an Indian national comes to the knowledge of the concerned Indian Mission/Post abroad, they take proactive action by seeking a report from the local Foreign Office and other concerned local authorities regarding the cause of the death of the Indian national. Our Missions/Posts abroad inform the next of kin of the deceased Indian national, and facilitate the transportation of mortal remains to India or  the local burial of mortal remains in accordance with the wishes of the family of the deceased.

For   transportation   of   mortal   remains,   Indian   Missions/Posts   usually liaise   with   different   authorities   in   the   foreign   country,   viz.,   on   the following aspects:

i. Medical report / death certificate issued from the hospital concerned;

ii. Police report (with English translation, if the report is in any other language), in case of accidental or unnatural death;

iii.   Consent   letter   from   the   next   of   kin   of   the   deceased   for   local cremation / burial / transportation of mortal remains;

iv. Issuing of No Objection Certificate (NOC) by the Mission / Post for transportation or local cremation / burial as required;

v. Clearance and arrangements for embalming of mortal remains from the authorities concerned in the foreign country;

vi. Clearance from local immigration/ customs department. As soon as the authorised person provides relevant documents as per host country's requirement to Missions/Posts abroad, the death of the deceased person is registered and NOC for transportation of mortal remains to India is issued on priority basis, including on holidays. Additionally,   24x7   helpline   in   Missions/Posts   abroad   support   death registration and transportation of mortal remains to India. Missions/Posts   accord   high   priority   to   the   issues   pertaining   to transportation   of   mortal   remains   including   completion   of   local documentation work. Issues related to delays in issuance of police report, medical certificate, death certificate etc. by authorities of the host country are taken up during bilateral meetings including Consular Dialogues   and   High   Level   Visits.   Moreover,   the   Indian   Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) has also been set up in Indian Missions/Posts abroad for assisting overseas Indian nationals in distress situations on a  means-tested   basis   which   also   includes   transportation   of   mortal remains of Indian nationals at Government expenditure. Every   Indian   Mission/Post   abroad   has   a   dedicated   consular   wing equipped   with   adequate   staff   to   address   grievances   of   distressed Indian nationals abroad. Missions/Posts monitor the cases for timely and   smooth   documentation   for   transportation   of   mortal   remains

including guidance to the family and coordination between different agencies. Missions/Posts also have 24x7 Emergency helpline number so that the families can contact them. (d) Various Ministries of the Government of India coordinate to ensure time-bound transportation of mortal remains. The eCARe Clearance Portal (https://ecare.mohfw.gov.in) of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is an online platform for providing clearance within 48 hours for transportation of mortal remains to India. The Portal is aimed at integrating all stakeholders on a single all-in-one interface,   including   the   Consignee,   Airport   Health   Organizations (APHOs)   and   Airlines.   The   portal   facilitates   smooth   and   timely clearance of documents with automated periodic alerts and live status tracking. (e)   No   such   instances   of   challenges   in   accessing   support   and compensation due to lack of coordination has been brought to the attention   of   this   Ministry   from   the   families   of   Nalgonda   district   of Telangana.   Indian   Missions/Posts   abroad   support   and   provide assistance   to   family   members   of   deceased   Indian   nationals   in preparation of requisite documentation in death compensation cases. These include documents such as Legal Heirship Certificate (LHC) and

Power of Attorney (POA) which are required for submission in courts in foreign countries on behalf of the legal heirs of the deceased.

Indian   Missions/Posts   abroad   render   all   necessary   assistance   to facilitate early settlement of death compensation and insurance claims from local authorities/companies. Missions/Posts abroad have standard operating   procedures   for   the   disbursement   of   compensation   of deceased Indian nationals. All death compensation cases are pursued with the employer/ concerned court till the family of the deceased receive the compensation. Missions/Posts abroad also liaise with the concerned foreign governments to ensure early release of the death compensation in case the employer is not cooperating.

*****