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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteIn India, the law regulating donations from abroad to non-profits is the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, usually called the FCRA. The Act uses the term “foreign contribution” for the funds it regulates. An organisation’s non-profit status alone does not authorize it to receive or use such funds: covered associations generally need FCRA registration or prior permission from the Central Government.
What the FCRA regulates
The FCRA is India’s central legal framework for foreign contributions. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) administers the official FCRA portal, which lists the Act, Rules, amendments and notifications. The portal’s index includes entries through 2026, but the index alone does not explain the effect or commencement of each change. For the operative requirements, consult the current Act, Rules and MHA instructions rather than relying on an older summary. MHA: FCRA Acts, Rules, amendments and notifications
In ordinary language, a contribution might be described as a donation from abroad; in the legal process, the relevant category is “foreign contribution.” Whether a particular transfer falls within that category and whether an organisation may receive it depend on the applicable law and facts.
Who may need authorization
MHA’s applicant charter says an association with a definite cultural, economic, educational, religious or social programme for society’s benefit must obtain registration or prior permission before receiving or using foreign contribution. It states: “The NGO shall neither receive nor utilise any FC without obtaining either prior permission or registration from the Central Government.” That charter was published on 29 January 2021; later law and current portal guidance govern if a procedure or requirement has changed. MHA: Charter for Associations Applying for Grant of Prior Permission / Registration under FCRA, 2010
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The MHA FAQ says the statutory definition of “person” includes an individual and a Hindu Undivided Family (HUF), which it says may apply for registration or prior permission. It also describes an exemption from FCRA provisions for a specified class of wholly government-owned bodies whose accounts are compulsorily audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India or a CAG agency. These are specific scope rules, not a general exemption for non-profits or government-linked organisations. MHA: Frequently Asked Questions on FCRA
Registration and prior permission are different routes
The MHA charter identifies separate online forms: FC-3A for registration and FC-3B for prior permission. These are distinct authorization routes, not interchangeable labels. Which route is available depends on the applicant’s circumstances and current eligibility requirements; the charter and its form names do not establish that every organisation qualifies for either route.
| Route | What the MHA charter identifies | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Registration | Online Form FC-3A, according to the MHA applicant charter published 29 January 2021. | Current eligibility, supporting documents and application instructions on the FCRA portal and under the current Rules. |
| Prior permission | Online Form FC-3B, according to the MHA applicant charter published 29 January 2021. | Current project- and receipt-related requirements, supporting documents and application instructions on the FCRA portal and under the current Rules. |
The MHA charter also says applicants should obtain a unique Darpan ID through the NITI Aayog Darpan portal, and describes a designated State Bank of India FCRA account as the exclusive first point of receipt. Because this is January 2021 guidance and the portal lists later amendments, confirm the current account and application steps before acting. MHA applicant charter
Receipt is not the end of the compliance question
Authorization to receive foreign contribution does not, by itself, answer every question about how it may be handled. Account arrangements, use of funds, governance and reporting are governed by the current law and rules. The MHA FAQ also discusses restrictions concerning foreign nationals serving on an association’s executive committee or governing body, while noting limited circumstances for association or relaxation; it should not be read as a universal prohibition in every case. MHA: Frequently Asked Questions on FCRA
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An MHA annual report for 2010–11 described audited annual accounts as due within nine months after the financial-year close. That is a historical description, not a safe statement of today’s deadline. Check current rules and portal instructions for the applicable return, due date, exemptions and filing requirements. MHA: Annual Report on Foreign Contribution, 2010–11
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to check the current requirements
- Start with the official MHA index. Open the FCRA Acts, Rules, amendments and notifications page and identify the current operative materials, including any amendments relevant to the proposed receipt.
- Check which route applies. Review current Rule 9 and the live portal instructions for registration or prior permission; do not assume the 2021 charter’s summary is a complete statement of current eligibility.
- Confirm the application and account steps. Verify current form requirements, Darpan ID requirements and the prescribed receipt account instructions directly with MHA before funds are transferred.
- Confirm ongoing duties before accepting funds. Check the current reporting and use-of-funds rules rather than relying on historical deadlines or general summaries.
The MHA’s listed amendments include a 2026 amendment to the FCRA Rules and a June 2026 compounding-notification amendment, but the portal index does not set out their substantive effects. Read the operative instruments and current consolidated law before drawing conclusions about them. This overview explains the general legal framework, not whether a particular organisation or transfer qualifies.
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