FCRA – Foreign Contribution Regulation Act | Meaning & Full Form

When it comes to the exam, one has to cover all the concepts to get the best results in the exam. But, then, talking about the competitive exams, it is essential to cover everything. Therefore, in this article, we have added concepts that are vital for the IAS exam. So, in this article, we have added complete information on the FCRA (foreign contribution regulation act). You will get the information related to the FCRA meaning, full form, and all the other important details. Further, don’t forget to make the necessary points while reading the article. Let’s begin.

Introduction

The FCRA full form is Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 is an act of the Parliament of India, by the 42nd Act of in the year 2010. Further, it is for them to regulate the acceptance and utilization of foreign contributions / foreign hospitality by specific persons or associations, or companies. In the below table we have more details on the same.

FCRA Meaning

We will begin by understanding the FCRA meaning. The FCRA is responsible for ensuring that the contributors do not adversely affect internal security. Further, it was enacted in 1976 and amended in 2010 when a slew of the new measure was adopted to look after the foreign donations. Besides, it is applicable for all the associations, groups, and NGOs which intend to receive foreign donations. Further, all such NGOs must register themselves under the FCRA. Then, the registration is for a period of five years, and one can renew it if they comply with all norms. Later, all the registered associations can receive foreign contributions for social, educational, religious, economic, and cultural purposes.

Further, filling the annual returns is compulsory. In 2015, the MHA notified new rules, which required NGOs to give an undertaking that the acceptance of foreign funds.

Foreign Contribution Amendment Bill 2020

The foreign inflow has almost increased in the last decade, however, as per the government. Further, in FCRA 2020, only 20% of the foreign funds can be used for the services like administrative purposes. This might alter the workings of several small NGOs that depend on such funds. Further, the new provisions aim to enhance transparency and accountability in the matter of foreign funds’ inflow and utilization. The bill also makes the Aadhar number compulsory for recipients.

FCRA

The Government of India passed a consolidating act named FCRA 2010 in 2010. It aims to regulate foreign contributions or donations and hospitality to Indian organizations and individuals and stop such contributions that might damage the national choice. It is an act passed to regulate and ban the acceptance and utilization of foreign contribution or hospitality by companies, associations, or individuals for such activities that could prove detrimental to the national choice and for matters connected therewith or incidental.

Features of FCRA 2010

Then below, we have added features of the

• In the first place, a provision was made for the decline of registrations of NGOs in case of the Home Ministry believes that the organisation is political and not neutral.
• Further, a provision was added stating that the assets of the individual who has become defunct required to be disposed of in a manner stated by the government.
• A different account needs to be maintained by the organizations to deposit the Foreign Contributions received. Besides, other funds except for Foreign Contributions shall be deposited in that account.
• The registration certificate given to the NGOs under the 2010 act came with five-year validity.
• Lastly, every bank would be banned to report to the prescribed authority, the amount of foreign remittances received and other related details. 

Foreign Contribution Regulation (FCRA) Act

No, we will understand complete details related to the Foreign contribution regulation act below.

• In the first place, the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2020, was introduced in Lok Sabha on Sept 20, 2020. Further, this act regulates the acceptance and utilization of foreign contributions by individuals, associations, and companies. 
• Prohibition to accept foreign contribution: Further, under this Act specific persons are prohibited from accepting any ny foreign contribution.It includes election candidates, editor or publisher of a newspaper, judges, government servants, members of any legislature, and political parties, among others.
• Besides, the public servants include any individual in service or pay of the government, or pay by the government for the performance of any public duty.
• Transfer of foreign contribution: then, in the act, foreign contribution cannot be transferred to any other individual unless such individual is also registered to accept foreign contribution. Further, the bill amends to prohibit the transfer of foreign contributions to any other person. Besides, individual includes association or registered company.
• Aadhaar for registration – It includes like :

1. Get a certificate of registration from the central government, or
2. not registered, but obtain prior permission from the government to accept foreign contribution.

Who are prohibited from  receiving Foreign Contribution?

We have added the list below.

• A candidate contesting an election
• Cartoonist, editor, publishers of a registered newspaper
• Judge
• Government servants or employee of any corporation
• Member of any legislature
• Political parties

Why it is important for the UPSC Exam?

We should always understand why reading any concept is important for the UPSC exam. So, we will understand the same along with the details of the IAS exam. So, the concept is relevant to the UPSC exam. Further, it comes under Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development, and employment”. You will find this concept under the GS paper 3. So, it is essential for the IAS exam. Therefore, one must also have a habit of reading the newspapers daily as we all know that the exam syllabus is vast and one needs to cover all the concepts to get the best results in the exam.

Further, we all know the difficulty level of the IAS exam, and it requires special efforts and hard work to clear the exam. Suppose you understand the procedure of the ias exam. In the first place, you have to write the prelims. Once you clear the prelims exam, you are required to write the main exam. So, in the main exam, one needs to cover all the concepts to clear the exam. Besides, this concept is important for the GS paper. Later, once you clear the main exam, you are required to give the interview round. One must visit the official website to get all the details of the exam.

Conclusion – FCRA

In the article, we have tried to cover all the information related to the FCRA, meaning, full form, act, and other related information. If you are writing any competitive exam, you must understand all the concepts related to India, acts, bills, and other information. Further, many platforms will help you in providing all details. So, you may find it difficult, and one can refer to the previous year’s papers. Understand the paper pattern and the syllabus. For this, referring to the previous year’s papers will help you the effective way. So, try to solve as many papers as possible. Also, try to give mock tests even it will help you in understanding your skills and areas of improvement.

Find the details of the IAS exam like exam syllabus, pattern, books, tips, and all the other details. Click Here. One must make the proper use of the available time and understand the paper syllabus and pattern. Try to use some tips to get the best results in the exam. Further, we understand that it is not possible to remember all the concepts. So, whenever you read such articles, try to make points while reading the article. This will also help you during exam time.

FAQs – FCRA

Lastly, below we have added a few FAQs on the FCRA meaning topic.