Foreign Funding to Indian NGOs Rises Under FCRA
Foreign contributions received by Indian NGOs have increased despite tighter regulations under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act. Government data shows that 16,200 NGOs received ₹22,963 crore in foreign funding during 2024-25, even as the number of organisations holding active FCRA registrations continued to decline.
Foreign Funding to NGOs Rises
Foreign contributions during 2024-25 were higher than the annual average recorded in the preceding years.
Between 2019-20 and 2021-22, around ₹55,741 crore was received through the FCRA route by 13,250 NGOs and associations. This worked out to an average foreign inflow of approximately ₹18,580 crore per year.
The ₹22,963 crore received during 2024-25 therefore indicates continued growth in foreign funding despite stricter compliance requirements.
FCRA Registered NGOs Decline Sharply
While foreign contributions have increased, the number of NGOs authorised to receive such funds has fallen significantly.
As of August 6, 2026, around 14,434 NGOs and associations held active FCRA registrations. Only about 28% of organisations that have ever been registered under the law currently remain active.
FCRA registrations of approximately 22,496 organisations have been cancelled over the years, with a large number of cancellations taking place after 2015.
Government Tightens FCRA Regulations
The government has progressively strengthened FCRA rules covering foreign donations, financial reporting and compliance by NGOs.
Recent proposed amendments have also generated debate over government powers relating to assets acquired using foreign contributions.
The Centre has maintained that the regulations apply only to organisations receiving foreign contributions and do not affect India’s wider NGO sector. It has also said the rules apply uniformly regardless of religion, community or ideology.
