Published Jun 24, 2026 | 8:15 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 24, 2026 | 8:38 PM
Catholic Bishops' Conference of India. (Official website)
Synopsis: The Catholic Bishops’ body has been opposed to amending the FCRA. However, the government notified the amendments in June. The FCRA now has more stringent rules.
The Catholic Church will hold a nationwide prayer meeting on Sunday, 28 June, in protest against the Centre tightening the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010.
Father Mathew Koyickal, the deputy general secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), announced the decision to hold prayer meetings on Wednesday, 24 June.
The Union Home Ministry amended the FCRA rules, introducing stricter regulations for NGOs receiving foreign funds. The government notified the 10th amendment to FCRA, 2010, in June.
Organisations must now clearly specify the purpose of foreign contributions and the states or Union Territories where the funds will be used.
Instead of providing broad objectives, applicants must select activities from an approved list covering sectors such as education, culture, social welfare, economic development and religious activities.
The approved purposes and operational areas will be listed on FCRA registration certificates.
Also Read: FCRA row hits BJP’s plan to woo Kerala Christians
The amendments also restrict organisations with foreign nationals in key positions from receiving FCRA registration or prior permission, except in special cases approved by the government.
The definition of “key functionary” has been expanded to include directors, trustees, partners, kartas of Hindu undivided families and others exercising managerial control.
For religious organisations, foreign funds may still be used to maintain places of worship, religious education, devotional music and preserve traditions.
However, certain activities, including religious education and documentation of faith traditions, must be carried out without proselytisation.
The government has granted existing FCRA-registered organisations one year to update details of their approved activities and areas of operation.
NGOs will also have to pay an additional fee of ₹300 for each extra purpose or state added.
For renewal of registration, organisations must prove they spent at least ₹10 lakh of foreign contributions on approved activities during the previous two financial years.
Amendments to FCRA were a topic of election debate in Kerala, especially in the state’s central region with a significant Christian population. The Church has been opposed to amending FCRA, despite the BJP’s overtures to win its confidence.
