The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 was referred to a 31-member Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on Wednesday amid strong Opposition protests and allegations that the proposed legislation could target minorities and non-governmental organisations.
The motion to refer the Bill to the JPC was moved by Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai and approved through a voice vote after the Lok Sabha resumed proceedings following an adjournment.
The proposed committee will have 21 members from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha. It has been tasked with examining the Bill in detail and submitting its report by the last day of the first week of the Winter Session of Parliament in 2026.
Opposition raises concerns
Congress MP KC Venugopal demanded that the government withdraw the Bill, alleging that its provisions were aimed at minorities and NGOs. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also opposed the legislation, saying the entire Opposition was against it.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju rejected the allegations and challenged the Opposition to identify any provision in the Bill that specifically targeted minorities.
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Rijiju said referring the legislation to a JPC would provide an opportunity for detailed examination and urged Opposition members to raise their concerns before the committee.
The Bill has also drawn concerns from some northeastern chief ministers. Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma had urged the Centre to refer it to a joint committee, while Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma had raised concerns over its provisions.
What the Bill proposes
The proposed legislation seeks to amend the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, which regulates the receipt and use of foreign funds by NGOs, charitable trusts, educational institutions, religious bodies and other associations.
A key proposal is the creation of a Designated Authority appointed by the Centre. The authority would have powers to take over the management of foreign contributions and assets created from such funds if an organisation's FCRA registration is cancelled, surrendered or not renewed.
According to the Bill's background note, India had 14,449 active FCRA registrations as of July 15, 2026. Another 22,498 registrations had been cancelled, while 15,212 had expired.
Between 2019 and 2022, organisations registered under the FCRA received foreign contributions worth Rs 55,741 crore.
The legislation has also faced criticism from US Congressman Riley Moore, who described it as an attack on Christians and alleged that it could affect churches and religious charities.
The JPC will now undertake a detailed examination of the proposed amendments before submitting its report to Parliament.
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