Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment
Rules, 2026
Prelims:
Polity & Governance
Mains:
GS Paper II-Government Policies and Interventions
Current
relevance:
The Union
Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) notified the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Rules,
2026, to amend the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Rules, 2011.
Highlights:
1.
Objective: Strengthens transparency and
accountability in. Enhances the utilisation of foreign contributions
regulatory oversight over NGOs receiving foreign funds.
2.
Mandatory
Disclosure Requirements:
NGOs must clearly
specify:
(i)
Approved programme activities.
(ii)
Purpose for receiving foreign contributions.
(iii)
States and Union Territories where the organisation
intends to carry out its activities.
3.
Additional Disclosure Requirements:
NGOs must disclose:
(i)
Official website.
(ii)
Social media accounts.
(iii)
Publications released during the
year, including books, magazines, and newspaper articles.
4.
Purpose-Specific Registration:
(i)
Registration will now be granted only for specified
purposes listed under the amended Rules.
(ii)
Existing FCRA-registered
organisations must update their approved purposes within one year.
5.
Expanded Definition of “Key Functionary” now it
includes: Trustees, Partners, Karta of a Hindu Undivided Family (HUF), Members
of the governing body, Any person exercising control or management over the
organisation.
6.
State-wise Registration
(i)
Registration fees will be
charged separately for each approved purpose and each State/Union
Territory of operation.
(ii)
NGOs operating across
multiple sectors or regions may incur higher registration costs.
7.
Foreign contributions can continue to be received
for:
(i)
Social activities.
(ii)
Educational programmes.
(iii)
Religious activities.
(iv)
Economic development.
(v)
Cultural initiatives.
However, several categories now specifically
prohibit political or ideological activities.
8.
Civil society organisations have expressed concerns
over:
(i)
Increased compliance burden
(ii)
Reduced operational flexibility
(iii)
Restrictions on responding to
emergencies
(iv)
Greater regulatory control over
NGO activities
Source: THE HINDU- https://www.pressreader.com/foryou?popupArticleId=281878715097843