How to Get FCRA Registration for an NGO in India
The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) 2010 regulates receipt of foreign donations by Indian organisations. Any NGO, trust, society, or Section 8 company wishing to receive donations from foreign sources must first obtain FCRA registration from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). It is one of the most scrutinised licences in India.
Before you start
- Organisation must be registered for at least 3 years before applying
- Spent at least ₹15 lakh on its stated objectives in the 3 years preceding the application
- 12A registration (income-tax exemption) from the IT department
- FCRA-designated bank account at SBI New Delhi Main Branch (mandatory since 2021)
- Activity report and audited financial statements for the last 3 years
- No adverse order from any court or government authority against the organisation
Step-by-step
Verify Eligibility
Confirm your organisation is at least 3 years old and has verifiable expenditure of ₹15 lakh on charitable activities. Maintain proper utilisation certificates, project reports, and beneficiary records to substantiate this.
Open the Mandatory SBI FCRA Account
Open a dedicated FCRA account at State Bank of India, Main Branch, New Delhi (Branch Code 00691). This is mandatory under the FCRA (Amendment) Act 2020. Foreign contributions can only be received in this specific account.
File Form FC-3C on the FCRA Portal
Register on the MHA FCRA portal (fcraonline.nic.in) and fill Form FC-3C for regular FCRA registration. Provide organisation details, objectives, key functionaries, bank account details, and activities conducted.
Upload Mandatory Documents
Upload: Certificate of Registration (Trust Deed, MOA, or COI), 12A registration certificate, last 3 years' audited statements and annual reports, activity photographs, and key functionary Aadhaar/PAN details. Ensure all documents are self-attested.
Pay the Application Fee
Pay the application fee of ₹500 online through the portal. Note the application reference number for tracking.
Await MHA Scrutiny and Approval
The MHA scrutinises the application, may conduct background verification through the IB (Intelligence Bureau), and may ask for additional documentation. The process typically takes 3–6 months. On approval, a registration number is issued valid for 5 years, renewable thereafter.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying before completing 3 years of registration — MHA automatically rejects such applications.
- Not opening the mandatory SBI New Delhi account before applying — the application form requires this account's IFSC and account number.
- Underreporting expenditure on charitable activities — if the ₹15 lakh threshold is not clearly evidenced in audited financials, the application will be rejected.
- Receiving foreign funds before FCRA registration — this is a criminal offence under the FCRA; if urgent foreign funding is needed, apply for 'Prior Permission' (FC-3A) for a specific donor and project.
Frequently asked questions
What is FCRA Prior Permission and when is it needed?
FCRA Prior Permission (Form FC-3A) allows a newly established or ineligible organisation to receive a specific foreign donation from a named donor for a specific project. It is a one-time permission, not a recurring registration.
How long is FCRA registration valid?
FCRA registration is valid for 5 years from the date of issue. Renewal application (Form FC-3D) must be submitted within 6 months before expiry; late renewal results in automatic suspension of the registration.
Can FCRA funds be transferred to other NGOs?
Since April 2022, FCRA-registered organisations can transfer up to 20% of FCRA funds to other FCRA-registered organisations. Transfer to unregistered entities is prohibited. All transfers must be reported in the annual return.
What is the annual compliance for FCRA-registered NGOs?
Every FCRA registrant must file an Annual Return (Form FC-4) online by December 31 each year, reporting all foreign contributions received, interest earned, and expenditure made during the financial year.
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