Who Is Eligible for FCRA Registration in India?

Organisations that receive foreign contributions or foreign hospitality in India need to understand whether they can apply for FCRA registration. This is relevant to organisations working with international donors and groups connected with countries such as the USA, Singapore, Japan, Australia, the UK, and other parts of the world. The FCRA registration & renewal process is managed by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India. Let’s discuss more.

Which Organisations Can Apply for FCRA Registration?

The applicant must have a charitable objective and work for the benefit of society. The source material lists areas such as health, education, art, culture, religion, and sports.

The organisation must also:

• Be eligible to receive foreign contribution under the FCRA.
• Be registered as a Society, Trust, or Section 8 Company.
• Be a Liaison Office of a foreign NGO, where applicable.
• Have an FCRA bank account with State Bank of India, Parliament Street, New Delhi.
• Meeting these basic conditions is the starting point for an FCRA application.
   

What Is Required for Regular FCRA Registration?

Regular registration is meant for organisations that have been established and operating for at least three years. They also need to meet the financial and record-keeping conditions given in the PKP material.

The organisation must have:
 

• Operated for a minimum of three years.
• Spent at least ?10 lakh during the last three years towards its main objects.
• Had its accounts audited by a Chartered Accountant for at least the last three years.
• Annual activity reports for the last three years.
• The Rs:10 lakh expenditure considered for this requirement does not include administrative expenses.

Can a New Organisation Apply for FCRA?

Yes, a newly established organisation that cannot meet the conditions for regular registration can use the Prior Permission Registration route.

This route is meant for a specified amount from an identified donor for a particular activity, work, or project.

The applicant must be:

• A Society, Trust, or Section 8 Company.
• Able to provide a commitment letter from the donor stating the donation amount and its purpose.
• Compliant with the stated conditions where the foreign donor and Indian organisation have common members.

There are also specific conditions regarding family members, governing council members, and relationships between the foreign donor and Indian organisation.

What Is Needed to Apply for FCRA Registration?

Before applying, the organisation needs a DARPAN ID. It must register on the DARPAN portal provided by NITI Aayog.

The FCRA application is then submitted online to the Ministry of Home Affairs using Form FC-3, along with the required scanned documents.

The application and documents are reviewed in detail by the authority. For this reason, preparing the information and supporting documents correctly is important.

How Long Is FCRA Registration Valid?

FCRA registration remains valid for five years. An organisation must apply for renewal before the registration expires.

The source states that renewal should generally be filed at least six months before expiry. If the organisation is working on ongoing multi-year projects, the application should be filed at least 12 months before the registration expires.

Get the Eligibility Right Before Applying

FCRA eligibility depends on the organisation's structure, charitable purpose, operating history, expenditure, records, and the route used for registration. Understanding these conditions before filing can help avoid mistakes in the application. If your organisation needs FCRA registration & renewal support, contact PKP Consult for assistance with preparing and filing the application.