Why is it in the news?

• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has extended the validity of Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) registration of NGOs until June 30.
• This extension applies to all FCRA registered NGOs whose renewal applications are still under consideration and whose validity expires before June 30.

Key Provisions of FCRA Registration

• Requirement for NGOs wishing to receive foreign donations to register with the MHA. Registration is valid for 5 years and can be renewed.
• FCRA registrations are granted to individuals or associations with definite cultural, economic, educational, religious, and social programs.
• Certain individuals such as candidates for elections, editors or publishers of newspapers, judges, government servants, etc., are prohibited from receiving foreign donations under FCRA.
• Organizations that receive foreign donations must utilize them for the purposes they were received and adhere to the regulations outlined in the Act.
• They are also required to file annual returns and are prohibited from transferring the funds to another NGO.
• The significance of FCRA lies in its regulation of foreign donations to ensure they do not adversely affect internal security.