New Delhi : The central government has issued new directives for NGOs. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has instructed all non-governmental organizations registered under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) to report any changes in their key office bearers and members. This requirement applies even if an NGO’s previous FCRA license application is still pending.

In a notification dated October 25, the MHA specified that organizations granted an FCRA registration certificate or prior approval must submit these details via the MHA portal within 45 days of any changes.

Changes in Leadership at Several NGOs

Several prominent NGOs with pending license renewals or new applications have recently changed their leadership. Among them is the Center for Policy Research, a think tank whose FCRA license was revoked earlier this year over alleged FCRA violations. The organization has contested this decision in court.

The license of another NGO, the Institute of Economic Growth, was also revoked due to non-compliance with rules but was reinstated after the organization provided the necessary documents.

Key Points in the Home Ministry’s Notification

The MHA’s notification also states that if a previous application is still pending, NGOs may submit a new application, which will automatically replace the previous one. Under FCRA rules, any organization with a canceled or expired registration certificate is prohibited from receiving or using foreign funds until the certificate is renewed. NGOs are also required to maintain an investment register, which must be available for auditing by the Home Ministry.