LEGAL CONSULTANT
FCRA Registration / Prior Permission Guidance
Foreign contribution is a specialised regulated area. An organisation should review eligibility, activities, governing-person details, banking arrangements and post-receipt compliance before seeking or accepting foreign contribution.
What this area covers
- Registration vs prior permission concepts
- Eligibility/activity history
- Governing-person declarations
- Designated banking
- Donor/project documentation
- Application evidence
- Annual return and utilisation compliance
Documents and information to organise
- Entity registration and constitutional records
- PAN and governing-body details
- Activity history and supporting reports
- Financial/audit records
- Designated/operational banking information as applicable
- Donor commitment/project details for prior permission, if applicable
- Earlier FCRA history/orders, if any
Practical process
- Identify whether registration or prior permission is relevant.
- Review current eligibility and restrictions.
- Prepare governing-person and organisation data.
- Set up required banking only in the manner prescribed.
- File and monitor the application.
- After approval/permission, maintain strict receipt, utilisation, transfer and annual reporting controls.
Frequently asked questions
Can foreign donation be received before approval?
Do not assume so. Foreign-contribution receipt must comply with the current FCRA framework and applicable permission/registration conditions.
Is FCRA permanent?
Registrations and compliance obligations are governed by the current statutory framework, including validity/renewal rules.
Need a case-specific checklist?
Send the entity type, current stage and exact requirement. Do not send passwords or OTPs.
Update note: Government forms, fees, portal fields and eligibility rules can change. Verify the current official requirements before filing.