10 hrs ago
FCRA NGOs Halve as Foreign Contributions Rise Over Decade
The government told a parliamentary committee that fewer NGOs are registered to receive foreign money than ten years ago.
The number fell from 29,022 to 14,466.
However, the total amount of foreign money received increased during the same period.
The United States gave the largest share in 2024-25.
Religious groups received ₹1,841 crore, most of it going to Christian associations.
The government wants new rules to make foreign funding more transparent and properly used.
Opposition parties worry the rules could hurt Christian and other minority-run organisations.
The committee will study the bill and submit a report before the Winter Session.
Active FCRA-registered NGOs fell from 29,022 in 2015 to 14,466 across 15 states.
Foreign contributions rose from ₹17,832 crore in 2015-16 to ₹22,974 crore in 2024-25.
The United States was the largest donor in 2024-25, contributing ₹12,113 crore.
Religious associations received ₹1,841 crore, with Christian associations receiving ₹1,345 crore.
The government says proposed FCRA amendments will improve oversight, while opposition parties fear they could disproportionately affect minority organisations.
- Who
- The Ministry of Home Affairs briefed a 31-member Joint Committee of Parliament led by BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal; opposition MPs also participated.
- What
- The committee examined proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act and received data on NGO registrations and foreign funding.
- Where
- The meeting took place in India; the largest number of active FCRA NGOs was reported in Tamil Nadu, while Delhi received the most foreign funding among states and Union territories.
- When
- The meeting was held before the article was published on September 19, 2026; the funding figures cover 2024-25 and the comparison begins in 2015.
- Why
- The government says the amendments aim to strengthen transparency, oversight, and proper use of foreign contributions, while opposition parties object to provisions they say could affect minority organisations.
Opposition concerns
Government position
Effect on minorities
Opposition concerns
Opposition parties allege that the bill could choke legitimate foreign funding for Christian NGOs and minority-run social welfare and educational institutions.
Government position
The government rejects the allegation and says the proposed legislation is not religion-specific, challenging opponents to identify a discriminatory provision.
Government control over NGO assets
Opposition concerns
Opposition MPs objected to a provision allowing a government-designated authority to permanently take over assets of NGOs whose registrations are cancelled, surrendered, or whose organisations cease to function.
Government position
The government has presented the amendments as part of stronger regulation and oversight of foreign contributions, though the article does not give a specific response to the asset provision.
Purpose of the amendments
Opposition concerns
Opposition parties describe certain provisions as highly objectionable and have called the bill dangerous.
Government position
The government says the bill is intended to improve transparency and ensure proper utilisation of foreign funds, and says it would target forced religious conversion and personal misuse of foreign funding.
Key facts
- Active FCRA NGOs
- 14,466 in 2024, compared with 29,022 in 2015
- Foreign contributions
- ₹22,974 crore in 2024-25, up from ₹17,832 crore in 2015-16
- Largest donor
- The United States contributed ₹12,113 crore in 2024-25
- Religious associations
- Received ₹1,841 crore in 2024-25
- Largest recipient state or union territory
- Delhi received ₹5,834 crore
- Cancelled registrations
- The government has cancelled 21,983 FCRA registrations; 91.3% were for failing to file annual returns
- Unutilised funds
- ₹35,968 crore remained unutilised in 2024-25, including ₹21,140 crore in fixed deposits
Quotes
Sanjay Jaiswal
BJP MP and chairperson of the Joint Committee of Parliament examining the FCRA amendment bill
“The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere and the MPs raised questions. We have the mandate to submit the report before Winter Session. We will succeed in doing that.”
thehindubusinessline.com
Sources
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