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Apply for FCRA Registration online with Just Think Business ITES Solution. Get expert assistance for NGOs, Trusts, and Societies to obtain Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) approval easily and legally in India.
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To obtain FCRA Registration under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, 2010, an organization must meet specific eligibility requirements set by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India. The following are the key criteria to qualify for FCRA registration in India:
The applicant must be a registered NGO, Trust, Society, or Section 8 Company under Indian law. The entity should have valid registration documents such as a Trust Deed, Society Registration Certificate, or Incorporation Certificate.
The organization must be in existence for at least three years and must have undertaken genuine social, cultural, educational, religious, or charitable activities during this period.
The applicant must have properly audited financial statements for the last three years, showing that it has spent a minimum of ₹10 lakh on its activities (excluding administrative expenses).
The organization’s objectives should be clear, specific, and in alignment with national interest, promoting social welfare, education, healthcare, or similar public-benefit causes.
The organization, its members, and key functionaries should not have been convicted or prosecuted for any misuse of funds or activities detrimental to the sovereignty and integrity of India.
The entity must possess a valid PAN card and a designated FCRA bank account at a branch authorized by the Government (currently SBI, New Delhi Main Branch).
Under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), 2010, organizations in India can receive foreign donations or grants only after obtaining proper approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). There are two main types of FCRA approval — each designed for different stages and needs of NGOs, Trusts, and Societies.
This type of FCRA approval is meant for newly registered organizations or those not yet eligible for regular registration but wish to receive a specific foreign contribution for a defined purpose.
Granted for a particular donor and specific project.
The organization must clearly state the purpose, amount, and source of foreign funds.
Useful for NGOs or Trusts that have just started operations or have less than three years of existence.
The permission is valid for the specific project only, not for ongoing or general use.
If an NGO receives an offer from a foreign donor to fund a healthcare project in India, it can apply for FCRA Prior Permission to accept that contribution legally.
This is a long-term approval granted to organizations that have been active for a minimum of three years and have demonstrated consistent social or charitable work.
Allows the organization to receive foreign contributions regularly from any legal foreign source.
Valid for five years, after which it must be renewed.
Requires proof of past activities and financial stability.
Suitable for established NGOs, Trusts, and Section 8 Companies.
A trust working for rural education for the past five years with audited financials can apply for FCRA Registration to receive multiple foreign grants.
| Type of FCRA Approval | Eligibility | Validity | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prior Permission | New organizations or specific projects | For that project only | To receive funds from a particular donor for a specific purpose |
| Regular Registration | Established organizations (3+ years) | 5 years | To receive ongoing foreign donations |
If your organization is newly registered, start with FCRA Prior Permission. Once you complete three years of genuine activity, apply for Regular FCRA Registration for long-term benefits.
To apply for FCRA Registration under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), 2010, NGOs, Trusts, and Societies must submit specific documents and details to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). These documents help verify the organization’s legal status, credibility, and financial transparency.
Below is the complete list of documents required for FCRA Registration and FCRA Prior Permission in India.
Trust Deed / Society Registration Certificate / Section 8 Incorporation Certificate
Memorandum of Association (MOA) and Rules & Regulations / Articles of Association (AOA)
A valid Permanent Account Number (PAN) of the NGO, Trust, or Company issued by the Income Tax Department.
List of executive committee or governing body members with their:
Name
Designation
Address
Aadhaar / PAN details
Occupation
Contact number
Balance Sheet, Income & Expenditure Account, and Receipts & Payments Account for the last 3 financial years, duly audited by a Chartered Accountant.
Must show that the organization has spent at least ₹10 lakh on its activities over the last 3 years (excluding administrative costs).
A detailed report of the projects and activities carried out by the organization during the last 3 years, highlighting social impact and achievements.
The organization must open a designated FCRA Bank Account in the State Bank of India, New Delhi Main Branch (NDMB), as per MHA guidelines.
Bank details should include account number, IFSC code, and branch address.
The organization must be registered on the NGO Darpan Portal and provide the Unique ID issued by NITI Aayog.
Self-declaration confirming that the organization:
Has not been prosecuted or convicted for any offense.
Is not engaged in activities against national interest.
Will ensure proper utilization of foreign contributions for approved purposes only.
Copy of latest ITR (Income Tax Return)
Details of foreign donors (for Prior Permission)
Project proposal and budget for the intended foreign-funded program
Getting FCRA Registration in India involves an online application process managed by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). NGOs, Trusts, and Societies can apply for FCRA Registration or FCRA Prior Permission through the FCRA Online Services Portal.
Follow the steps below to complete your FCRA registration process easily and correctly.
Before applying, verify that your organization meets the eligibility criteria — such as being registered under the Indian Trusts Act, Societies Registration Act, or Companies Act and having completed three years of active operation.
Every organization must first register on the NGO Darpan Portal (managed by NITI Aayog) to get a Unique ID.
This ID is mandatory for submitting the FCRA application.
🌐 Website: https://ngodarpan.gov.in
Collect all necessary documents — including registration certificates, PAN, audited financial statements, activity reports, and details of key members.
(See the Documents Required for FCRA Registration section above.)
Visit the official FCRA Online Services Portal of the Ministry of Home Affairs and create a user ID and password.
🌐 Website: https://fcraonline.nic.in
Select the appropriate form based on your requirement:
Form FC-3A – For Fresh FCRA Registration
Form FC-3B – For FCRA Prior Permission
Form FC-3C – For Renewal of FCRA Registration
Enter organization details, bank information, registration number, Darpan ID, project purpose, and donor details (for Prior Permission).
Upload all the required supporting documents in PDF format (under 1 MB each). Make sure details match your legal and financial records.
Pay the prescribed application fee online:
₹10,000 for FCRA Registration
₹5,000 for FCRA Prior Permission
Payment can be made via debit/credit card or net banking.
After submission, you will receive a reference number. Use it to track your FCRA application status on the portal.
The MHA will review your documents and may seek clarifications if required.
Once approved, you will receive your FCRA Registration Certificate or Prior Permission letter via email and through the MHA portal.
You can now legally receive foreign contributions in your designated FCRA bank account.
The average processing time for FCRA registration is 60 to 90 days, depending on document verification and MHA clearance.
Ensure your organization maintains transparency and compliance with FCRA rules — including annual return filing (Form FC-4) — to avoid cancellation of registration.
Once an organization obtains FCRA Registration, it must maintain ongoing compliance with the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, 2010 and periodically renew its registration.
The Government of India ensures that foreign contributions are utilized transparently and only for approved purposes — hence, FCRA renewal and compliance are essential for every registered NGO, Trust, or Society.
As per the MHA guidelines, FCRA Registration is valid for 5 years from the date of approval. To continue receiving foreign contributions, every organization must apply for renewal before the expiry date.
Login to the FCRA Online Portal → https://fcraonline.nic.in
Select Form FC-3C (Renewal of Registration)
Update all organizational details and upload required documents
Pay the renewal fee of ₹5,000 online
Submit the application before 6 months of expiry
After successful verification, the Ministry of Home Affairs issues a renewed FCRA certificate valid for another 5 years.
Copy of existing FCRA certificate
Audited financial statements of the last 3 years
Activity report describing how foreign funds were used
Updated executive committee details
PAN and Darpan ID of the organization
Copy of designated FCRA bank account details
Every organization registered under FCRA must file an annual return detailing how foreign contributions were received and utilized during the year.
File Form FC-4 online every year by 31st December for the previous financial year.
Upload audited statements (Income & Expenditure, Receipts & Payments, Balance Sheet).
Even if no foreign funds were received, the organization must submit a Nil return.
Any change in the following must be intimated to the MHA within 15 days:
Registered office address
Bank account or branch details
Key members or office bearers
Objectives of the organization
Under FCRA guidelines, organizations must not:
Receive funds for political or religious propaganda
Transfer foreign contributions to unregistered organizations
Use funds for personal or commercial gain
Violation of these rules may lead to suspension or cancellation of FCRA registration.
Maintaining FCRA compliance ensures your NGO, Trust, or Society continues to receive foreign donations legally and transparently. Timely renewal and accurate return filing protect your organization from penalties and preserve its credibility.
Obtaining FCRA Registration is essential for any NGO, Trust, Society, or Section 8 Company that wishes to receive foreign funding for charitable, educational, religious, or social projects in India.
It not only ensures legal authorization but also helps organizations build trust, credibility, and long-term partnerships with international donors and agencies.
FCRA Registration gives your organization legal permission from the Government of India to receive and utilize foreign contributions. Without this registration, receiving funds from any foreign source is prohibited under Indian law.
Organizations registered under FCRA are recognized as authentic and compliant entities. This boosts your credibility among foreign donors, funding agencies, and CSR partners who prefer working with legally compliant NGOs.
With FCRA registration, your organization can receive donations and grants from international foundations, foreign governments, CSR initiatives, and global NGOs — helping expand your reach and impact.
Foreign funding helps NGOs and Trusts scale their operations, implement large-scale development projects, and improve resources for education, health, environment, and social welfare causes.
Having a valid FCRA certificate signals that your organization follows government-approved procedures and financial norms. This increases your chances of collaboration with ministries, embassies, and major donor institutions.
FCRA-registered organizations are required to maintain audited records and transparent utilization of funds, which strengthens internal accountability and organizational management.
Once registered, your organization can renew FCRA every 5 years easily, provided compliance norms are followed. You can also apply for multiple donor contributions without separate permissions each time.
FCRA Registration not only opens doors to foreign donations but also ensures your NGO or Trust operates with complete legal compliance, donor trust, and financial integrity.
Our experts make your FCRA journey smooth — from registration and documentation to compliance and renewal. Partner with us to simplify your legal process and grow your impact with global support.
Any non-profit organization registered as a Trust, Society, or Section 8 Company under Indian law can apply for FCRA registration, provided it has been active for at least three years and has carried out genuine charitable activities.
FCRA Registration is valid for 5 years from the date of approval. It must be renewed before expiry to continue receiving foreign contributions legally.
The average processing time for FCRA registration is 60 to 90 days, depending on the accuracy of the application and the Ministry’s verification process.
The key documents include:
Trust Deed / Society Registration Certificate / Incorporation Certificate
PAN card of the organization
Audited financial statements (last 3 years)
Activity report
Darpan ID (NITI Aayog)
Bank details of the designated FCRA account
(See our full section above: “Documents Required for FCRA Registration”)
Yes. As per the MHA notification, all organizations must open a designated FCRA account in SBI, New Delhi Main Branch (NDMB) to receive foreign contributions.
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