The Union Home Ministry has tightened FCRA rules for NGOs through a gazette notification issued on June 22, 2026. NGOs must now select purposes and operational areas from a predefined schedule while excluding proselytisation in religious categories. Associations with non-Indian origin foreign nationals as key functionaries will ordinarily not qualify for registration.
The amendments require NGOs to specify exact purposes and states or Union Territories for their activities from a schedule covering religious, cultural, economic, educational and social categories. Religious education and related activities must exclude proselytisation.
Registered associations before 2026 have one year to disclose their chosen purposes and areas. An additional fee of Rs 300 applies for each extra purpose or state.
NGOs must spend at least Rs 10 lakh of foreign contributions over the last two financial years to renew registration. Prior permission instalments require 75 per cent utilisation of the previous amount, verified by field inquiry.
Applications now need social media account details and disclosure of ultimate donors for intermediary remittances. Annual returns must include a detailed activity report.
