India Likely to Send FCRA Amendment Bill to Joint Parliamentary Committee

The Indian government is expected to refer the contentious Foreign Contribution Regulation Amendment Bill, 2026, to a joint parliamentary committee for detailed scrutiny, following significant opposition from political parties and minority groups. Government sources indicated on Tuesday, August 11, that the bill, which seeks to amend the 2010 law regulating foreign contributions, has not yet been listed for consideration or passage in the Lok Sabha, despite earlier speculation it might be taken up on August 12.

The bill, introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 25, 2026, proposes several key changes. It would establish a Designated Authority to supervise foreign contributions and assets of organizations whose FCRA registration is cancelled, surrendered, or invalid. Under the proposed framework, when an organization loses its registration, its foreign contributions and assets would initially vest provisionally with this authority. If the organization does not renew its registration within a prescribed period, the assets could become permanently vested with the Designated Authority. The bill also introduces the cessation of an FCRA certificate upon expiry or non-renewal and...