Chartered Accountants · Bhubaneswar0674-3550500info@pbt.org.in
P B T & Co LLP

Practice Areas · StartUp · Registrations · Business registrations · FCRA

FCRA Registration

Mandatory registration for NGOs and entities receiving foreign contributions.

Overview

What FCRA registration is

Under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, any person or NGO that wishes to accept foreign contributions must obtain FCRA registration, or prior permission, from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Normal registration generally requires the entity to have existed for three years and to have spent a minimum amount on its objects; a newer entity can instead seek prior permission for a specific donation.

Foreign contributions must be received in the designated FCRA account at the State Bank of India, New Delhi, and reported annually.

Who needs it

Who must register

Eligible entities

  • Registered trusts, societies, and Section 8 companies with charitable objects
  • Entities intending to receive donations or grants from foreign sources

Registration vs prior permission

  • Normal registration — for entities with a three-year track record and minimum spend on objects
  • Prior permission — for newer entities, for a specific foreign donation
Documents

Documents you'll need

  • Registration certificate and 12A registration
  • Activity reports and audited accounts for the prescribed years
  • Details of office bearers
  • The designated FCRA bank account at SBI, New Delhi
  • NITI Aayog Darpan ID
Process

How registration works

  1. 01

    Obtain a Darpan ID

    Register the entity on the NITI Aayog Darpan portal.

  2. 02

    Open the designated FCRA account

    Open the FCRA account at the State Bank of India, New Delhi branch.

  3. 03

    Apply online

    File the application (Form FC-3) with the supporting documents.

  4. 04

    MHA review and grant

    The Ministry of Home Affairs reviews and grants registration or prior permission.

  5. 05

    Ongoing compliance

    Maintain separate FCRA accounts and file the annual FC-4 return.

Why PBT

Why work with PBT

PBT guides your NGO through FCRA registration and the strict ongoing compliance.

  • We assess eligibility — registration versus prior permission
  • We assemble the activity and financial records and file the application
  • We help set up the designated FCRA bank account and Darpan ID
  • We prepare the annual FC-4 return and maintain the separate accounting
  • Scope and fees agreed in writing up front
FAQs

Frequently asked questions

  • Who needs FCRA registration?

    Any NGO or person wishing to accept foreign contributions or donations.

  • What is the difference between registration and prior permission?

    Registration suits established entities with a three-year track record; prior permission suits newer entities seeking a specific foreign donation.

  • Where must foreign contributions be received?

    In the designated FCRA account at the State Bank of India, New Delhi.

  • What ongoing compliance applies?

    Separate FCRA accounting and the annual FC-4 return.

  • How long does it take?

    Ministry of Home Affairs processing can take several months.

Apply for FCRA registration

Tell us about your organisation and its foreign funding, and we'll guide the FCRA registration end to end.

Send an enquiry

This page describes the nature of the firm's services and is not a solicitation or legal advice. Thresholds, timelines, and applicable registrations depend on your specific facts; engagement terms and fees are agreed in writing per assignment.

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