The Centre has clarified that the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 is aimed at strengthening oversight of foreign funding and is not intended to target any religious community, amid concerns raised by Christian organisations and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma.
The Bill, expected to be taken up during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, proposes major changes to the FCRA framework. It would empower the government to appoint a designated authority to manage or dispose of assets created through foreign funds if an NGO’s FCRA registration is cancelled, suspended, or not renewed. The proposed law also expands action against directors, trustees, and other officials linked to such organisations.
Government officials said the amendments are designed to improve transparency, streamline penalties, and prevent the misuse of foreign contributions. They also stated that the law would be applied only against organisations found violating FCRA provisions.
The proposed changes have drawn objections from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), which has urged the government to withdraw the amendments, expressing concerns that they could affect long-standing charitable institutions. According to the delegation, Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured them that the amendments would not be applied retrospectively.
