Foreign funding up despite tightening of FCRA rules
Foreign funding for Indian NGOs has increased despite stricter government regulations under the FCRA. While the total number of registered NGOs has dropped significantly, the remaining active organizations are receiving higher average funding.
Why it matters
The data illustrates the government's ongoing efforts to consolidate control over foreign-funded civil society organizations in India.
NEW DELHI: Notwithstanding the progressive tightening of laws governing foreign contributions under Modi govt, their inflow has grown even though the total number of NGOs registered under Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2020, has declined.As per figures shared by home ministry last month, 2024-25 witnessed 16,200 NGOs receiving foreign contributions worth Rs 22,963 crore. During the three years from 2019-20 to 2021-22, Rs 55,741 crore was received in foreign funding by 13,250 NGOs/associations through FCRA route, as per data cited by the ministry in Parliament in Dec 2023. This translates to an average of Rs 18,580 crore per year.As reported earlier by TOI, barely 28% of NGOs and associations ever registered under FCRA are currently active, with licences of the other 72% either deemed cancelled or deemed expired. As of Aug 6, 2026, only 14,434 NGOs were active.
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