India tightens control over NGO foreign funding under new FCRA rules

A new government authority can now seize NGO assets without prior judicial review.

On June 22, 2026, India's Ministry of Home Affairs adopted amended Foreign Contribution Regulation Rules, granting the government sweeping new powers over the activities, leadership, and operations of NGOs that receive foreign funding. A separate amendment bill, still pending in Parliament, would let a government-appointed "Designated Authority" seize and manage the assets of any organization whose FCRA registration is cancelled, surrendered, or not renewed — without prior judicial review. As of mid-2026, roughly 14,449 organizations hold active FCRA certificates, while over 22,000 have already been cancelled and 15,000 more have lapsed. Government ministers have framed the changes as routine tightening for national security, while international rights groups warn the rules hand the government broad new power to police NGOs' leadership and operations.