Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued a public notice allowing associations whose Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) registration validity has expired to make specific payments from their FCRA bank accounts. Under existing rules, associations with expired certificates are generally prohibited from receiving or utilizing foreign contributions. This posed a challenge for such entities needing to pay compounding penalties and other fees related to their FCRA compliance from their designated FCRA accounts.
Exercising powers under the FCRA, 2010, the MHA has now permitted these associations to pay only compounding penalties and fees. This payment facility is specifically for accounts held with the State Bank of India, New Delhi Main Branch, and must be processed through the FCRA online portal using the “SBI Branch Payment” option. The notice clarifies that while this specific use is now allowed, any other receipt or utilization of funds from the FCRA bank account while the registration validity remains expired will be considered a violation of the FCRA, 2010, and could lead to penal action.
No. 11/21022/58(10)/12/2025-FCRA(MU)
Government of India
Ministry of Home Affairs
Foreigners-II Division. Monitoring Unit
1st Floor, Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.
New Delhi-110001, dated, the 14th May, 2025
PUBLIC NOTICE
Subject:- Payment of compounding and fees from the FCRA bank account of the FCRA association whose validity has been expired — regarding.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) administers the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 (FORA, 2010) and rules made thereunder which regulates the receipt of foreign contribution by NGOs/ Voluntary organizations / associations and its utilization for bonafide activities as per law.
2. As per Rule 12(5) of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Rules, 2011 (FCRR. 2011), no person whose certificate of registration has ceased to exist shall either receive or utilize foreign contribution until the certificate is renewed. Accordingly, such NGOs/associations whose registration has ceased after expiry of validity period, are not able to make payment of compounding and fees from the FCRA bank account.
3. In view of above. this Ministry, in exercise of the powers conferred under section 50 of the FCRA. 2010. has now allowed association(s) whose FCRA registration validity has expired. to pay the compounding penalty and fees from the FCRA bank account held with State Bank of India, New Delhi Main Branch. through FCRA online portal by introducing “SBI Branch Payment”. However, any other receipt/utilisation from FCRA bank account. during this period, would amount to the violation of FCRA, 2010 and liable for penal action.
(Saurabh Bansal)
Joint Director
011-23070756
