1. What is FCRA :-
Foreign contribution regulation Act 1976 or FCRA is a law of government of India which
regulates receipt of foreign contributions or aid from outside India to India territories. This is
essential to ensure that such aid does not effect political or any other situation in India. For genuine
donation, the provision of law is not very difficult to comply. The regular compliance is limited to
filing of annual return every year. This law is enforced by the ministry of Home affairs,
Government of India. There is a separate section in the ministry to ensure compliance to the fcra.
A Ngo is relevant to get subsidizes from abroad assuming that it has a FCRA declaration.
Administration of India and outside subsidizing organizations discharges a considerable measure
of trusts for the welfare of the underprivileged area of the social order. Then again, such trusts are
not legitimately used by a number of such conglomeration. UNO keeps tabs on offering gives to
that conglomeration who has done exceptional work in elevating the poor area of the social order.
In this way, the right outlook to getting legitimate finances is to channelize your vigor in working
for the social order. Assuming that you would like to know how to get a FCRA endorsement, you
can counsel us.
The second generally critical perspective to get FCRA enlistment is that you should have used at
least 10 lakhs rupees in the most recent three years under the social use condition to get FCRA
authentication. Subsequently, you can request FCRA online through their site. After the fulfillment
of five years, you have to renew the FCRA enrollment for an additional five years. This rule will
start from the year 2015. You will just get a restoration if Government powers discover your work
exemplary and veritable.
Outside financing has turned into a basic part of Indian social order of NGO segment. In any case
getting remote stores is not that simple as it should be.
Documents Required For FCRA Registration :-
Under Section 6 of Foreign contribution regulation Act, it is given that any organization having a
categorical social/ instructive/ religious/ financial article just acknowledge outside commitment in
the wake of getting FCRA Registration. Following documents are essential for registration under
Foreign Contribution Regulation Act.
• Copy of registration certificate of society or trust deed as the case may be.
• Copies of the audited statements of accounts for the last three years.
• Copies of the annual report of last three years.
• Bank Details:-
o Bank Name
o Account Number
o Bank Address.
• List of governing body
o Name
2. o Father’s Name
o Occupation
o Designation
o Address
• Name of the chief functionary and his mobile Number
• Telephone Number of the office
• Copy of PAN Card of The Society /Trust.
Types of FCRA Registration : -
There are two types of fcra certificate;
1. Fcra prior permission certificate which is possible after one year
2. Fcra certificate for 5 years.
For Foreign contribution regulation Act prior permission, these criterias shall be fulfilled :-
1. Fcra prior permission certificate is given to those ngos who have completed a
minimum of one year in running.
2. The ngo has to give the list of foreign donors along with their addresses,
designations and cause for which they are donating.
3. The ngo has to specify the total amount of money which is being received as a
foreign donation.
For Foreign contribution regulation Act certificate for 5 years, these criterias shall be
fulfilled.
1. The ngo must be three years old.
2. Last three years annual report, audit report must be submitted.
3. Copy of pan card, Bye laws of ngo shall also be given.
After five years, FCRA certificate must be renewed. This rule will be implemented from the
year 2015.
Time taken for FCRA Registration : -
Generally, the time taken for fcra registration is four months but it may vary if the ngo has multiple
branches. The reason is that after online filing of FCRA, within 1 month, the officers of
Intelligence Bureau, Department of Ministry of Home Affairs visits the office of the ngo to verify
whether the ngo is properly working or not. In case of multiple branches, the officers will verify all
the offices of the ngo and finally send report to the Ministry. So the time for FCRA registration
may be delayed. The non government organizations whether Trusts or Societies should preserve
their audited account sheets, annual activities reports, minutes books, slips, bills, vouchers,
photographs for proof of their social activities. This is of an immense help especially during the
investigation by the IB officers during FCRA Registration or FCRA Prior Permission or
verification by the government officers during any government funding or corporate officers
applicable for corporate social responsibility funding. So for fcra, there are following three steps
involved : -
1. Online filing at the website of Ministry of Home Affairs.
2. Report sent by the IB Team after one month.
3. 3. Hard Copy Submission in the Ministry.
Benefits of FCRA :-
The ngo can approach various foreign funding agencies after FCRA registration. Some of them are
as follows-
1. British High Commission
2. Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
3. Oxfam
4. Ford Foundation
5. SWISSAID
6. Infinity Foundation
7. BORDA( Germany )
8. Canadian High Commission
9. New Zealand High Commission
10. Findhorn Foundation
11. GIFRID( Israel )
12. European Commission(EC)
13. UNESCO
14. AUSAID
15. Japanese Embassy
One thing is very clear. The foreign funding agencies only donate to those ngos working in
specific area or for particular cause like education, women empowerment, health etc.
The ngos who work in a genuine way get awarded for their exemplary work and achievement.
The motto of an ngo should not be to misutilise the fund but to work for the social upliftment of
the poor and the needy and give the world a boost.
Cancellation of FCRA Registration : -
There are numerous reasons where an ngo fcra registration can be cancelled on conditions like –
1. The fund given by the foreign donor is not utilized properly and used for own personal
interest.
2. The ngo fails to file FCRA annual compliance for three consecutive years
3. Any member of the ngo files an complaint that the ngo is not working properly and if it is
proved.
http://www.fcra.co.in