US Lawmakers Raise Concerns Over Proposed Changes to India's FCRA: Report

Last Updated:June 15, 2026, 12:55 IST

The proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, seeks to amend the existing FCRA framework governing the receipt and utilisation of foreign contributions.

Several US lawmakers have expressed concern over proposed amendments to India’s Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), arguing that the changes could have a significant impact on civil society organisations and groups that rely on foreign funding.

Members of both the Republican and Democratic parties have questioned provisions in the proposed legislation that critics say could restrict access to foreign funds and expand government control over the assets of organisations whose FCRA registrations are suspended, cancelled, or not renewed.

US Senator James Risch, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, described the proposed amendments as “deeply concerning", according to remarks reported by Hindustan Times. Democratic lawmakers have also privately raised concerns about the potential impact of the legislation on civil society groups.

“India’s Foreign Contribution Regulation Act imposes onerous and opaque constraints on non-governmental organisations and groups that receive foreign funding, making their daily operations nearly impossible. Any efforts to use FCRA as an excuse to expand persecution or harassment of U.S.-linked Christian ministries by seizing their funds or property would be deeply concerning," Senator Risch told Hindustan Times.

Earlier, Congressman Chris Smith had urged US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to raise the issue during his visit to India, arguing that the proposed changes could disproportionately affect Christian charities and churches operating in the country. Smith warned that the amendments could have implications for broader India-US relations.

What Is FCRA?

The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) is an Indian law that regulates how individuals, associations, NGOs, charitable trusts, educational institutions, and other organisations receive and use foreign funds or donations.

Its stated objective is to ensure that foreign contributions do not adversely affect India’s sovereignty, security, public interest, or democratic processes.

The proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, seeks to amend the existing FCRA framework governing the receipt and utilisation of foreign contributions. One of the key provisions under discussion is the creation of a designated authority empowered to take control of assets created using foreign funds if an organisation’s FCRA registration is cancelled, surrendered or ceases to exist.

The Union government, however, has maintained that the amendments are intended to strengthen oversight of foreign funding and ensure that foreign contributions do not adversely affect national security, public order or national interests. The government has argued that tighter regulation is necessary to prevent misuse of foreign funds.

The proposed bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha in March but discussions on the legislation were later deferred amid growing political debate over its provisions.

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