The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), through its Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) Division, issued a Public Notice advising all registered associations to submit their FCRA renewal applications significantly earlier than the statutory minimum. While Section 16(1) of FCRA, 2010, requires associations to apply for renewal within six months before expiry, the MHA noted that many are submitting applications with less than ninety days remaining. This delay prevents the government from conducting the necessary scrutiny and obtaining security agency inputs within the renewal timeline, leading to certificates being deemed expired while applications are still pending. Consequently, under Rule 12(5) of the FCRA Rules, affected associations are barred from receiving or utilizing foreign contributions, disrupting their work. The MHA strictly advised associations to submit their renewal applications not later than four months before the certificate’s expiry to ensure timely processing and prevent the suspension of their foreign-funded activities.
F.No. II/21022/23(22)/2020-FCRA-II
Government of India
Ministry of Home Affairs
(Foreigners-II Division-FCRA)
First Floor, Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium,
India Gate Circle, New Delhi.
Dated: 30 September, 2025
PUBLIC NOTICE
Subject: Clarification regarding timely submission of application for renewal of registration certificate under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 —reg.
Attention of all associations registered under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 (FCRA, 2010) is invited to the provisions of Section 16 of the Act and Rule 12 of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Rules, 2011 (FCRR, 2011) relating to renewal of registration certificate.
2. Section 16(1) of FCRA, 2010 requires every person granted a certificate under Section 12 to apply for renewal within six months prior to the expiry of the validity of the certificate. Further, Section 16(3) provides that the Central Government shall ordinarily renew the certificate within ninety days from the date of receipt of the renewal application. Rule 12(2) of FCRR, 2011 prescribes that such application shall be submitted electronically in Form FC-3C, accompanied by affidavits in Proforma ‘AA’.
3. It has, however, been observed that many associations are submitting renewal applications less than ninety days before the expiry of their certificate. Such delayed submissions do not allow sufficient time for scrutiny and for obtaining necessary inputs from security agencies before the validity expires. As a result, certificates are deemed to have ceased on expiry while renewal applications remain pending. Consequently, in accordance with Rule 12(5) of FCRR, 2011, such associations cannot receive or utilise foreign contribution until renewal is granted, thereby disrupting their ongoing activities.
4. Associations are, therefore, strictly advised to submit their renewal applications well in advance and, in any case, not later than four months before the expiry of their certificate. This will facilitate timely processing and disposal of their applications, and avoid disruption in their activities.
5. All associations are requested to take note of the above and ensure compliance to avoid inconvenience at a later stage.
6. This issues with the approval of the Competent Authority.
(Saurabh Bansal)
Joint Director
