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FCRA Registration in India

Reviewed by CA and CS Team, Patron Accounting LLP ICAI & ICSI Registered| 15+ Years Experience| Last Updated: 10 March 2026 Verify Credentials →

For: NGOs, Trusts, Societies, and Section 8 Companies receiving foreign contributions - donations, grants, and funds from foreign sources

Fees: Rs 10,000 (Registration via Form FC-3A) | Rs 5,000 (Prior Permission via Form FC-3) - paid online on fcraonline.nic.in

Validity: 5 years from the date of grant. Renewable via Form FC-3C (fee Rs 500) - apply 6 months before expiry

Authority: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India. All foreign contributions received through designated SBI FCRA account at New Delhi Main Branch

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Expert FCRA registration - eligibility assessment, SBI account coordination, Form FC-3A filing, and MHA liaison under the FCRA, 2010.

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Overview What Is It Who Needs It Our Services 7-Step Process Documents Challenges Fees Timeline Benefits Registration vs Prior Permission FAQs

FCRA Registration - Complete Overview

📌 TL;DR - FCRA Registration Services at a Glance

FCRA registration under Section 6(1) of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 is mandatory for any NGO, trust, society, or Section 8 company that wishes to receive foreign contributions. Fee is Rs 10,000 for full registration (Form FC-3A) or Rs 5,000 for prior permission (Form FC-3). Valid for 5 years. All foreign contributions must be received through a designated SBI FCRA account at the New Delhi Main Branch.

Parameter	Details
Governing Law	Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 (as amended 2020) + FCRR, 2011
Registration Fee	Rs 10,000 (Form FC-3A) \| Rs 5,000 (Prior Permission - Form FC-3)
Validity	5 years from grant. Renewal via Form FC-3C (Rs 500) - apply 6 months before expiry.
Eligibility	3+ years existence, Rs 10-15 lakh spent on objectives in last 3 years, NGO Darpan ID mandatory
Designated Bank	SBI FCRA Account at New Delhi Main Branch, 11 Sansad Marg (mandatory since 2020)
Annual Compliance	Form FC-4 by 31 December + Quarterly Intimation + Max 20% administrative expenses
Authority	Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Portal: fcraonline.nic.in

Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, administered by the Ministry of Home Affairs, regulates the acceptance and utilisation of foreign contributions to ensure they are used for legitimate purposes.

The 2020 FCRA Amendment introduced significant changes: mandatory SBI FCRA account at the New Delhi Main Branch, prohibition on sub-granting, cap of 20% on administrative expenses, and Aadhaar requirement for key functionaries. Patron Accounting provides end-to-end FCRA registration services from offices in Pune, Mumbai, Delhi, and Gurugram.

Content is reviewed quarterly for accuracy.

What Is FCRA Registration?

FCRA registration is the formal approval granted by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) under Section 6(1) of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 that authorises an Indian organisation to receive foreign contributions.

There are two modes: (1) Registration (Section 6(1)) - for organisations existing 3+ years with demonstrated activity, allowing ongoing receipt from any foreign source, valid 5 years; and (2) Prior Permission (Section 11) - for newer organisations or one-time foreign contribution from a specific donor, also valid 5 years but limited in scope.

Both require filing on the FCRA online portal and opening a designated SBI FCRA account at the New Delhi Main Branch, 11 Sansad Marg.

Key Terms for FCRA Registration:

Foreign Contribution - Any donation, delivery, or transfer of currency, securities, or articles from a foreign source (Section 2(1)(h)).

SBI FCRA Account - Designated account at SBI New Delhi Main Branch, 11 Sansad Marg (IFSC: SBIN0000691). All foreign contributions must first be received here (mandatory since 2020 Amendment).

Form FC-3A - Application for FCRA Registration (Section 6(1)). Fee: Rs 10,000. Form FC-3 for Prior Permission (Rs 5,000).

20% Administrative Cap - Since 2020 Amendment, administrative expenses cannot exceed 20% of total foreign contribution received (Section 8(1)(b)).

FCRA 2010 FCRA Registration

Who Needs FCRA Registration?

Charitable Trusts: Trusts registered under the Indian Trusts Act, 1882 receiving foreign donations for charitable work
Societies: Registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 engaged in social, educational, cultural activities with foreign funding needs
Section 8 Companies: Non-profit companies under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013 seeking foreign contributions
Religious Organisations: Temples, mosques, churches, gurudwaras receiving foreign donations for religious or charitable activities
Educational Institutions: Schools, colleges, universities funded by foreign grants and scholarships
Healthcare NGOs: Organisations running hospitals or public health programmes with foreign foundation funding

Our FCRA Registration Services

Service	What We Do
Eligibility Assessment	Evaluate whether your organisation meets the 3-year existence requirement, Rs 10-15 lakh expenditure threshold, and other criteria for registration vs prior permission
NGO Darpan Registration	Register on the NITI Aayog NGO Darpan portal to obtain the unique ID mandatory for FCRA application
SBI FCRA Account Opening	Coordinate with SBI New Delhi Main Branch (Sansad Marg) to open your designated FCRA account - a prerequisite for application
Form FC-3A / FC-3 Filing	Complete application on fcraonline.nic.in including organisation details, governing body information, 3-year audited financials, and activity reports
MHA Liaison and Query Response	Handle all queries from the Ministry of Home Affairs during scrutiny, prepare responses to show-cause notices, and coordinate with the FCRA division
Post-Registration Compliance	Annual Form FC-4 filing by 31 December, quarterly intimation, 20% admin cap monitoring, and 5-year renewal management (Form FC-3C)

Our Process

7-Step FCRA Registration Process

Patron Accounting guides you through the complete FCRA registration process - from eligibility verification to MHA certificate under the FCRA, 2010.

Step 1

Verify Eligibility

Confirm your organisation is registered as trust/society/Section 8 company, has been in existence for at least 3 years, and has spent Rs 10-15 lakh on its objectives in the last 3 years (excluding administrative expenses).

3-year existence confirmed Expenditure threshold met

Eligible01

Step 2

Register on NGO Darpan

Create an account on ngodarpan.gov.in and obtain a unique NGO Darpan ID. This is a mandatory prerequisite for FCRA registration application.

Darpan ID obtained NITI Aayog registered

Darpan Ready02

Step 3

Open SBI FCRA Account

Open a designated FCRA bank account at the State Bank of India, New Delhi Main Branch, 11 Sansad Marg, New Delhi 110001 (IFSC: SBIN0000691). Mandatory under the 2020 FCRA Amendment.

SBI account opened IFSC SBIN0000691

Account Ready03

Step 4

Register on FCRA Portal

Create an account on fcraonline.nic.in. Aadhaar-linked login is required for all key functionaries. Obtain login credentials.

Portal account created Aadhaar linked

Portal Ready04

Step 5

File Form FC-3A

Fill Form FC-3A online with: organisation details, registration number, PAN, governing body details (Aadhaar/PAN), 3-year activity reports, 3-year audited financials, SBI FCRA account details. Pay Rs 10,000 fee.

Form FC-3A submitted Rs 10,000 fee paid

Application Filed05

Step 6

MHA Scrutiny and Field Inquiry

The Ministry of Home Affairs scrutinises the application. MHA may conduct field inquiry through the Intelligence Bureau (IB) to verify activities and credentials. This takes 4-6 months (can extend to 12-24 months).

MHA review in progress IB inquiry conducted

Under Review06

Step 7

FCRA Certificate Granted

Upon satisfactory verification, MHA grants the FCRA registration certificate valid for 5 years. Download from the portal. Begin receiving foreign contributions through the SBI FCRA account.

Certificate granted 5-year validity

FCRA Registered07

Documents Required for FCRA Registration

Registration Certificate / Trust Deed: Self-certified copy of society registration, trust deed, or Section 8 incorporation certificate
MOA / AOA / Rules: Memorandum, Articles, or Rules showing aims and objects of the organisation
3-Year Activity Reports: Detailed reports for last 3 financial years demonstrating work on stated objectives
3-Year Audited Accounts: CA-audited financial statements (Assets & Liabilities, Income & Expenditure, Receipts & Payments) showing minimum Rs 10-15 lakh expenditure
PAN Card: PAN of the organisation
Governing Body Details: Names, addresses, Aadhaar, PAN, and photographs of all office-bearers/trustees/directors. Affidavit of no foreign ties.
SBI FCRA Account Details: Account number and IFSC of designated FCRA account at SBI New Delhi Main Branch
NGO Darpan ID: Unique ID from NITI Aayog NGO Darpan portal

Common FCRA Registration Challenges and Solutions

Challenge	Impact	How Patron Accounting Solves It
3-Year Existence Not Met	New organisations cannot get full registration under Section 6(1), blocking their access to foreign funding	Apply for Prior Permission (Form FC-3, Rs 5,000) from a specific donor for a specific project. Convert to full registration after 3 years of operation.
Rs 10-15 Lakh Expenditure Threshold	Many small NGOs have not spent enough on objectives in the last 3 years to meet the eligibility criteria	Expenditure includes capital investment in assets (land, building, equipment) if the Chief Functionary gives an undertaking for FCRA use only
SBI FCRA Account Opening Delays	SBI New Delhi Main Branch processes high volumes of FCRA account requests, causing delays of 2-3 weeks	We coordinate directly with the branch and ensure all documentation is complete for faster account opening
MHA Queries During Scrutiny	MHA may raise queries about activities, governing body, or financial records during the 4-6 month scrutiny period	We prepare comprehensive responses with supporting evidence and maintain ongoing liaison with the FCRA division at MHA

FCRA Registration Fees

Fee Component	Amount
FCRA Registration (Section 6(1)) - Form FC-3A	Rs 10,000
Prior Permission (Section 11) - Form FC-3	Rs 5,000
Renewal (Section 16) - Form FC-3C	Rs 500
Change in Designated Bank Account - Form FC-6	Nil
Patron Accounting Professional Fees (Registration)	Starting from INR 14,999 (Exl GST and Govt. Charges)

All fees and charges listed are indicative only and do not constitute a binding offer. Final amounts may vary depending on the volume of work and the complexity involved.

Professional service charges for drafting, filing, and representation are separate from the statutory fees. The exact fee depends on the complexity of the case, disputed amount, and number of hearings required. Contact us for a detailed quote.

Get a free FCRA Registration consultation - Call +91 945 945 6700 or WhatsApp us. No-obligation assessment.

FCRA Registration Timeline

Stage	Estimated Timeline
NGO Darpan Registration	3-7 days
SBI FCRA Account Opening	7-21 days
Application Preparation	5-10 days
Form FC-3A Filing	1 day
MHA Scrutiny + IB Inquiry	4-6 months (can extend to 12-24 months)
Total End-to-End	6-24 months

Important: The MHA scrutiny phase is the longest and least predictable part. Prompt response to MHA queries speeds up approval. Renewal must be filed 6 months before expiry via Form FC-3C (fee Rs 500). MHA has been issuing periodic extensions for pending renewals - check the FCRA portal for current status.

Key Benefits

Benefits of Professional FCRA Registration

Eligibility Pre-Check

Thorough assessment before filing prevents rejection and wasted fees - we verify 3-year existence, expenditure threshold, and governing body compliance

Documentation Excellence

Professionally prepared 3-year activity reports and audited financials that meet MHA scrutiny standards

SBI Account Coordination

Direct liaison with SBI New Delhi Main Branch for faster FCRA account opening - often the bottleneck in the process

MHA Query Handling

Experienced response to MHA queries and IB verification processes - critical for approval within the 4-6 month target

Compliance Lifecycle

Post-registration Form FC-4 filing, quarterly intimation, 20% admin cap monitoring, and 5-year renewal management

Why 10,000+ Businesses Trust Patron Accounting

10,000+ businesses including NGOs, charitable trusts, and Section 8 companies trust Patron Accounting for FCRA and non-profit compliance. With 15+ years of experience, a 4.9-star Google rating, and 50,000+ documents filed, our CA and CS team delivers reliable FCRA registration and compliance.

Offices in Pune, Mumbai, Delhi, and Gurugram.

FCRA Registration vs Prior Permission

Parameter	Registration (Section 6(1))	Prior Permission (Section 11)
Eligibility	Min 3 years existence + Rs 10-15L expenditure	Any registered org + specific donor commitment
Fee	Rs 10,000	Rs 5,000
Scope	Any foreign source, any amount, ongoing	Specific donor, specific amount, specific project
Validity	5 years (renewable)	5 years or project completion
Best For	Established NGOs with regular foreign funding	New NGOs, one-time projects, first-time donors
Form	Form FC-3A	Form FC-3

Related NGO and Registration Services

NGO Registration - Register your trust, society, or Section 8 company
Section 8 Company Registration - Non-profit company incorporation
12A/80G Registration - Tax exemption for NGO + donor deduction
NGO Accounting Services - Compliance accounting for non-profits
Payroll for NGO - Employee payroll management for non-profits

Legal Framework for FCRA Registration

Section	Key Provision
Section 6(1)	Registration for receiving foreign contributions. Organisation must exist 3+ years with demonstrated charitable activity
Section 11	Prior Permission route for newer organisations. Requires specific donor commitment letter
Section 17	All foreign contributions must be received only in the designated SBI FCRA account
Section 8(1)(b)	Administrative expenses cannot exceed 20% of total foreign contribution (post-2020 Amendment)
Section 12	Annual returns (Form FC-4) by 31 December with details of all contributions received and utilised
Section 35	Penalties: fine Rs 1 lakh to Rs 10 lakh, or imprisonment up to 5 years, or both
Section 16	Renewal 6 months before expiry via Form FC-3C (fee Rs 500)
2020 Amendment	Mandatory SBI account, prohibition on sub-granting, 20% admin cap, Aadhaar requirement

Regulatory Authority: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India. Portal: fcraonline.nic.in

Frequently Asked Questions - FCRA Registration

Expert answers to common questions about FCRA registration, foreign contributions, and compliance in India.

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What is FCRA registration?

FCRA registration is the approval granted by the Ministry of Home Affairs under Section 6(1) of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 that allows Indian organisations (trusts, societies, Section 8 companies) to legally receive foreign contributions. Without it, receiving foreign contributions is illegal and punishable with fines up to Rs 10 lakh and imprisonment up to 5 years. Valid for 5 years with annual compliance requirements.

What is the fee for FCRA registration?

The government fee for full FCRA registration (Form FC-3A) is Rs 10,000, paid online through the FCRA portal. For Prior Permission (Form FC-3), the fee is Rs 5,000. Renewal fee is Rs 500 (Form FC-3C). Professional fees for eligibility assessment, NGO Darpan registration, SBI account coordination, and MHA liaison are additional.

What is the SBI FCRA account requirement?

Since the 2020 FCRA Amendment, all foreign contributions must first be received in a designated FCRA account at SBI New Delhi Main Branch, 11 Sansad Marg, New Delhi 110001 (IFSC: SBIN0000691). No other bank can receive foreign contributions directly. The organisation can transfer funds to a separate utilisation account at any scheduled bank.

How long does FCRA registration take?

The total process takes 6 to 24 months. Document preparation and SBI account opening take 2-4 weeks. After filing Form FC-3A, the MHA scrutiny and IB inquiry phase takes 4-6 months but can extend to 12-24 months in complex cases. Prompt response to MHA queries is critical for faster approval.

What are the penalties for FCRA violations?

Section 35 prescribes penalties including: fine of Rs 1 lakh to Rs 10 lakh, or imprisonment up to 5 years, or both. Specific violations include receiving foreign contributions without registration, misutilisation, failure to file annual returns, exceeding the 20% admin cap, and sub-granting without approval. MHA can also suspend or cancel registration and freeze bank accounts.

What is the difference between registration and prior permission?

Registration under Section 6(1) is for established organisations (3+ years existence) allowing ongoing receipt from any foreign source. Prior Permission under Section 11 is for newer organisations or specific one-time donations from a specific donor for a specific project. Registration costs Rs 10,000 while Prior Permission costs Rs 5,000.

Quick Answers

Can individuals receive foreign contributions? Only with prior permission from MHA under Section 11. FCRA registration is for organisations, not individuals.

Can political parties get FCRA? No. Political parties, legislature members, judges, and government servants are prohibited from receiving foreign contributions (Section 3).

Is 12A/80G needed before FCRA? Not legally required, but strongly recommended. Most foreign donors require 12A/80G as evidence of tax-exempt charitable status.

Can I transfer FCRA funds to another NGO? No. The 2020 Amendment prohibits sub-granting (Section 7).

What is the 20% administrative cap? Administrative expenses cannot exceed 20% of total foreign contribution received per year (Section 8(1)(b)).

Start Your FCRA Registration Today

Receiving foreign contributions without valid FCRA registration is a criminal offence punishable with fines up to Rs 10 lakh and imprisonment up to 5 years. The application process takes 6-24 months - start now to ensure registration is in place before your foreign donor commits funds.

Don't delay. Call +91 945 945 6700 or WhatsApp us for a free eligibility assessment.

Get Your FCRA Registration - Receive Foreign Contributions Legally

FCRA registration is the essential legal requirement for any Indian non-profit receiving foreign contributions. Governed by the FCRA, 2010 and significantly amended in 2020, the process requires eligibility assessment, NGO Darpan registration, SBI FCRA account opening, and patience during the 6-24 month MHA scrutiny.

Patron Accounting provides end-to-end FCRA registration services including Form FC-3A filing, MHA query handling, and post-registration compliance management. With offices in Pune, Mumbai, Delhi, and Gurugram and 15+ years of experience, we ensure your organisation achieves FCRA registration with full compliance.

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FCRA Registration Services Across India

Patron Accounting provides FCRA registration for NGOs and non-profits in major cities across India.

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Content Created: 10 March 2026 | Last Updated: 10 March 2026 | Next Review: 10 June 2026 | Reviewed By: CA & CS Team, Patron Accounting LLP

This page is reviewed quarterly - aligned to MHA circulars, FCRA extensions, amendment notifications, and compliance deadline changes. Next review: June 2026.