New Delhi: In a bid to streamline operations and avert disruptions in vital humanitarian work, the Union Home Ministry has issued a stern advisory to all NGOs, mandating that applications for renewing their Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) certificates be filed at least four months before expiry.
The move addresses chronic delays that have plagued the process, often leaving organisations in limbo with pending verifications.
Under the FCRA, 2010, every NGO receiving foreign funds must secure mandatory registration, valid typically for five years. Section 16(1) of the Act stipulates submissions six months in advance, with the government aiming to process renewals within 90 days. Yet, as the Ministry’s public notice highlights, many entities submit forms perilously close to the deadline — sometimes under 90 days — thwarting timely clearances from intelligence and security agencies. “Such procrastination denies us adequate time to gather essential inputs before validity lapses,” the advisory notes, underscoring the risks.
The fallout is stark: Once expired, certificates turn invalid, freezing access to foreign contributions even as renewal pleas languish. This halts projects, from education drives to disaster relief, crippling grassroots efforts. “We’ve observed NGOs scrambling at the eleventh hour, only to watch their vital activities grind to a halt,” a Ministry spokesperson elaborated, urging proactive compliance.
To nip the issue in the bud, the directive insists on a four-month buffer as a non-negotiable safeguard. “File early to ensure seamless processing and uninterrupted service to communities,” it advises, promising smoother sails for those who heed the call.
With over 20,000 FCRA-registered entities nationwide, this clarion call could redefine how India’s third sector navigates bureaucratic hurdles, ensuring foreign aid flows where it’s needed most — without the drag of deadlines.