Lok Sabha Question No. 1476 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-29
Subject: Amendment in FCRA Rules
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Asaduddin Owaisi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1476

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 29 TH  JULY, 2025/ SARVANA 7, 1947 (SAKA)

AMENDMENT IN FCRA RULES

1476. SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  amended  the  Foreign  Contribution Regulation  Act  (FCRA)  rules  to  prohibit  NGOs  receiving  foreign  funding from publishing newsletters or any news-related content;
- (b)  whether such NGOs are now required to obtain a certificate from the Registrar of Newspapers for India affirming that they do not circulate news content and if so, the rationale for such certification;
- (c)  whether  this  move  may  impact  the  freedom  of  expression  and dissemination of public-interest information by civil society organizations; and
- (d) whether the Ministry consulted stakeholders or issued public clarifications regarding the scope  of the term 'news  content' and mechanisms for grievance redressal under the amended norms?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI BANDI SANJAY KUMAR)

(a): The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Rules, 2025, notified on 26th May 2025, do not introduce any new prohibition on NGOs receiving foreign contribution from publishing newsletters or news-related content. The prohibitions concerning news and current affairs already exist under Section  3(1)(g)  and  3(1)(h) of  the  Foreign  Contribution (Regulation)  Act,

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 1476 FOR 29.07.2025

2010. The recent amendments are procedural in nature and are intended to improve application processing efficiency.

(b): Under the amended Rules, applicants whose Memorandum of Association or trust deed includes publication-related objectives -or  who are  engaged  in  publication  activities -are  now  required  to  submit  the following documents:

a) an undertaking from the Chief Functionary affirming compliance with Section 3(1)(g) of the Act; and

- b) where registered with the Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI), a 'Not a Newspaper' certificate from the RNI.

These  documents  were  earlier  sought  at  a  later  stage,  but  are  now required  to  be  submitted  at  the  initial  stage  of  filling  the  application  to ensure  procedural  clarity  and  to  streamline  and  expedite  application processing.

(c): The amendments do not impose any new restriction on NGOs. They are intended  solely  to  ensure  compliance  with  the  existing  provisions  under Section  3  of  the  FCRA,  2010,  which  prohibit  entities  engaged  in  the production or broadcast of news and current affairs content, or individuals associated  with  such  entities,  from  receiving  foreign  contribution.  The procedural changes introduced  are limited to verifying such compliance at

L.S.US.Q.NO. 1476 FOR 29.07.2025 the application stage and do not alter the substantive legal position under the Act. (d): The amendments were introduced following internal consultations and in response to operational challenges and stakeholder feedback regarding legal framework  under  the  FCRA.  The  grievance  redressal  mechanisms  under delays. The  terminology used  is consistent with the existing the FCRA framework continue to remain available.

*****