FCRA Amendment Bill 2026: asset vesting and penalty changes
Why in the news
The proposed amendment has raised concerns over NGO regulation.
About FCRA
- Regulates foreign contributions and hospitality received by individuals and organisations, NGOs included.
- Administered by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Main provisions of the 2026 Bill
- Provisional vesting: on cancellation, surrender or lapse of registration, unspent foreign funds and assets built with them pass to a Designated Authority.
- Permanent vesting: if registration is not revived in the set window, the Authority may transfer or auction the assets; proceeds go to the Consolidated Fund of India.
- Appeal: to a District Judge within 90 days.
- Deemed cessation: registration ends automatically if renewal is refused, not filed or pending at expiry.
- Penalty: maximum jail term for certain lapses cut from five years to one year.
Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2010 | FCRA 2010 replaced it |
| 2022 | Relatives-abroad limit raised from ₹1 lakh to ₹10 lakh a year |
| 2026 | Amendment Bill introduced; new Rules notified |
Exam angle
- Nodal ministry: Home Affairs.