Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, 1976 is an Act that was enacted by the Indian Government to regulate the inflow and outflow of foreign funding to Voluntary Organisations. Being an Internal Security instrument, this Act is under the Ministry of Home Affairs of Government of India. For more information about FCRA, visit this link
What is "FCRA"?
Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), 1976
An Act to regulate the acceptance and utilization of foreign contribution or foreign hospitality by certain persons or associations, with a view to ensuring that parliamentary institutions, political associations and academic and other voluntary organizations as well as individuals working in the important areas of national life may function in a manner consistent with the values of a sovereign democratic republic, and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. (from MHA website)
Who can receive foreign contribution ?
An association having a definite cultural, economic, educational, religious or social programme can receive foreign contribution after it obtains the prior permission of the Central Government, or gets itself registered with the Central Government. An illustrative but not exhaustive list of activities which are permissible and may be carried out by associations of different nature are available on the website http://mha.nic.in/fore.htm
Most of the Voluntary Organisations receiving funds from foreign sources / donors are governed by this Act. For the FCRA online services, visit this MHA site
For downloading FCRA forms, visit this link
Related links:
1. ASHANET
2. KARMAYOG
3. FCRAforNGOs