Centre amends rules for receiving foreign funds
The Union Home Ministry has amended the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) rules, effective June 22, 2026, to enhance accountability for NGOs receiving foreign funds. Key changes include requiring NGOs to select purposes and operational areas from a predefined list, explicitly excluding proselytisation from certain faith-based activities, restricting foreign nationals as key functionaries (with government exceptions), broadening the definition of 'key functionary,' introducing a minimum spending limit of Rs 10 lakh over two years for registration renewal, mandating disclosure of ultimate donors and social media accounts, and requiring detailed activity reports in annual returns. NGOs are also prohibited from producing or broadcasting 'news or current affairs'.
The Union Home Ministry has amended the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) rules, effective June 22, 2026, to enhance accountability for NGOs receiving foreign funds. Key changes include requiring NGOs to select purposes and operational areas from a predefined list, explicitly excluding proselytisation from certain faith-based activities, restricting foreign nationals as key functionaries (with government exceptions), broadening the definition of 'key functionary,' introducing a minimum spending limit of Rs 10 lakh over two years for registration renewal, mandating disclosure of ultimate donors and social media accounts, and requiring detailed activity reports in annual returns. NGOs are also prohibited from producing or broadcasting 'news or current affairs'.
Exam linkage
GS Paper 2: Indian Polity and Governance - Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies. Role of NGOs.
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