The Union Home Ministry recently announced a crucial change for Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). All organizations receiving foreign funding are now required to submit their Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) registration renewal applications at least four months before their current license expires. This new directive, issued on September 30, 2025, aims to ensure timely processing and prevent any disruptions in their vital operations.
Under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) 2010, every NGO that receives foreign contributions must be registered. These registrations are typically valid for a period of five years, after which organizations need to apply for renewal by submitting a new application.
As per Section 16(1) of the FCRA, 2010, organizations holding an FCRA certificate (granted under Section 12) are legally obligated to apply for its renewal within six months before its expiry date. This requirement was highlighted in a recent public notice from the Home Ministry.
The law also stipulates that the central government is expected to process and renew these certificates within 90 days (approximately three months) from the date they receive a complete renewal application.
However, the Home Ministry has observed a concerning trend: many associations have been submitting their renewal requests less than 90 days before their certificates expire. Such late submissions create a challenge, as they don’t provide adequate time for thorough scrutiny and for security agencies to provide necessary clearances before the existing validity period ends.
This often leads to a situation where the certificates lapse while renewal applications are still pending. When this happens, organizations are unable to receive or utilize foreign funds until their renewal is officially granted, causing significant disruption to their ongoing charitable and developmental work.
To mitigate these issues, the Ministry strongly advises all associations to submit their renewal applications well in advance—specifically, no later than four months before their certificate’s expiry. Adhering to this guideline will streamline the processing and approval of their applications, ensuring their activities continue without interruption.