MHA Cancels FCRA Licences of 6 Leading Disability & Human Rights NGOs

Over the last three years, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has cancelled FCRA licences of 1,828 organizations working in various social sector developments through foreign funds. In a recent move, as reported on April 3, 2024, the Union Home Ministry did not issue fresh licences for the 6 organizations that expired in March this year. 

The Home Ministry granted a six-month extension to several NGOs listed above in September last year. The licences were cancelled on March 30 of this year. This will impact the six organizations in such a way that they will neither receive nor utilize the foreign contribution until the certificate is renewed, officials added.

The ministry has also given all NGOs whose five-year validity period expires between April 1, 2024, and June 30, 2024, time to apply for renewal before the expiration date.

For a detailed reading on Why only 14% of NGOs have active FCRA Associations: Violation of Foreign Contribution Regulation Act; MHA cancels CARE India’s FCRA license

What are the names of NGOs whose FCRA license has been cancelled by MHA?

The names of six NGOs whose FCRA licences have been revoked by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) are listed below. 

What is FCRA? And why it is important for NGOs and Social Services in India: 

Overall, the FCRA is a regulatory framework designed to ensure transparency, accountability, and compliance in the receipt and utilization of foreign funds in India. 

Read Detailed Coverage: MHA mandates FCRA-registered NGOs to give full details of assets generated through foreign funds

The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) is an Indian law that regulates the acceptance and use of foreign contributions by individuals, associations, and organizations in India. Enacted in 1976 and amended in 2010, the FCRA aims to prevent the use of foreign funds for activities detrimental to national interest, including affecting the sovereignty, integrity, and public order of India.

Under the FCRA, organizations and individuals must obtain prior registration or permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) before receiving any foreign contribution. The law imposes stringent reporting requirements, including annual returns and the maintenance of separate bank accounts for foreign funds.

The FCRA also prohibits the use of foreign contributions for speculative business, political activities, or activities detrimental to national harmony. Violations of the FCRA can result in penalties, including fines, imprisonment, and suspension or cancellation of registration.

What is the current status of FCRA Registrations in India: Only 14% are actively working in the Social Sector

As per the current status of FCRA in India, out of a total of 1.12 lakh registered FCRA NGOs, only 16,917 are actively working in various social works through foreign funding. Moreover, the ministry has cancelled the FCRA status of 20,694 NGOs in India.

Current status of FCRA Registrations in India: MHA Data Dashboard