India
oi-Gaurav Sharma
The government is likely to refer the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for detailed examination, sources said on Tuesday. The development comes ahead of the proposed discussion on the legislation in Parliament.
The Bill seeks to create a comprehensive framework for the supervision, management and disposal of foreign contributions and assets through a designated authority.
The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, proposing a Designated Authority for foreign funds and reduced jail terms, may be referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee following assurances it will not be implemented retrospectively.
The proposed legislation has drawn concerns from several stakeholders, particularly in Mizoram, over its provisions relating to foreign-funded organisations and religious institutions.
FCRA Bill To Be Discussed In Parliament On August 12
Earlier, on August 7, Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma said the FCRA Amendment Bill would be taken up for discussion and passage in Parliament on August 12.
Lalduhoma, accompanied by a delegation of church leaders from Mizoram, met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and conveyed their concerns over the proposed legislation.
The Chief Minister said Shah assured the delegation that the legislation would not be implemented retrospectively.
“We have conveyed our apprehensions on the new FCRA Bill to the Home Minister. He assured us that the Bill will not come into effect retrospectively,” Lalduhoma told reporters at the Parliament House complex.
Asked about the timeline, Lalduhoma said Shah informed the delegation that the Bill would be debated in Parliament on August 12. The legislation was introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 25.
What Does The FCRA Bill 2026 Propose?
The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 proposes to empower the government to establish a Designated Authority to take over the management of foreign contributions and assets created from such contributions.
The provision would apply when an organisation’s FCRA registration is cancelled, surrendered or ceases because its registration is not renewed.
The Bill also contains a specific provision for assets used as places of worship. In such cases, the Designated Authority would be required to ensure that the religious character of the property is maintained.
Another proposed change is a reduction in the maximum imprisonment for violations of the FCRA. The Bill seeks to reduce the maximum punishment from five years to one year.
According to data available on the FCRA portal, as of July 15, 2026, there were 14,449 active FCRA certificates, while 22,498 had been cancelled and 15,212 were listed as deemed expired.
If referred to a JPC, the committee will examine the provisions of the Bill in detail before submitting its recommendations to Parliament.
