India Announces Extension of FCRA Eligibility
September 26, 2023
On September 25, 2023, India’s Ministry of Home Affairs announced an extension of the FCRA registration certificates pending renewal, either until March 31, 2024, or until their renewal application has been processed, whichever is earlier.
Importantly, all organizations with registration certificates previously set to expire by September 30, 2023 and who have a pending renewal application are covered under this extension. Organizations with their five-year eligibility period expiring between October 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024 will also be covered under this extension, as long as they have applied or will apply for renewal before their validity period expires.
If an FCRA application is rejected, the organization in question is forbidden to utilize contributions received on the date of the rejection, which will be considered the FCRA “expiry date.”
CAF America is actively communicating with our NGO partners to collect and review FCRA renewal certifications as quickly as possible upon approval from the Ministry. We are closely monitoring these developments so we can continue to support our charity partners in India as we are able.
Past FCRA Updates
This is the fifth time the Ministry of Home Affairs has extended these deadlines. See past announcements below:
About FCRA
The Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) is India’s law regulating the flow of foreign funding into the country. Indian nonprofits must have a valid FCRA Registration to be able to legally receive charitable funds from donors outside of India—organizations without an eligible FCRA registration number are ineligible to receive foreign contributions.
CAF America is continuously monitoring the situation so that our network is as informed and compliant as possible with foreign funding laws. Please reach out to us at info@cafamerica.org if you have any questions.
Other Resources
To read the full public notice from India’s Ministry of Home Affairs:
Extension of the validity of FCRA registration certificates, 3.23.23
For the full text of the FCRA:
Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, 2010
To learn about grantmaking in India:
Giving to India? Compliance with the Newly Amended FCRA
For more on how Indian NGOs have adapted to FCRA and other policy changes:
A Changing Philanthropic Landscape in India: Understanding how Indian NGOs continue to innovate and give voice to the marginalized within the framework of changing policies
About the author:
Jeffrey Lewek is an Officer of External Affairs at CAF America. His specializations include FCRA compliance, disaster relief response, and the management of programs and strategic initiatives that advance CAF America and its international partners as leaders in cross-border philanthropy.
