FCRA Amendment Bill 2026: Government Moves To Refer Bill To JPC, Opposition Seeks Withdrawal

The Centre on Wednesday moved a resolution in the Lok Sabha to refer the contentious Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for detailed examination, a move that came amid strong Opposition objections to the proposed legislation.

The development marks a shift from the government’s earlier position as the Bill, introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 25, has faced sustained criticism from Opposition parties, civil society groups and Christian organisations. The Centre had indicated on Tuesday that it was willing to send the Bill to a JPC.

Opposition says Bill should be withdrawn

Congress MP K C Venugopal opposed the government’s move, arguing that the Bill targets NGOs engaged in charitable and other social work. He said the legislation should be withdrawn rather than merely referred to a parliamentary committee.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also said the Opposition was united in opposing the Bill. He alleged that the government had brought legislation targeting minorities.

The Opposition has previously raised concerns that the proposed changes could disproportionately affect charitable, educational and religious organisations, particularly those dependent on foreign contributions.

‘You were demanding JPC earlier’: Jagdambika Pal

BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, who was functioning as a Panel Chairperson while presiding over the House, pointed out the Opposition’s earlier demand for a JPC.

Pal said the Opposition had previously been asking the government to refer the FCRA Bill to a JPC, but was now objecting when the government had proposed exactly that course.

The government’s move comes after consultations and objections from several stakeholders. A delegation led by DMK MP P Wilson had met Home Minister Amit Shah and sought either withdrawal of the Bill or its referral to a parliamentary committee. Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma had also conveyed concerns over the proposed amendments to Shah.

What does the FCRA Amendment Bill propose?

A key provision of the Bill is the proposed creation of a Designated Authority to take custody of, manage and eventually dispose of foreign contributions and assets created from such funds when an organisation’s FCRA registration ceases to remain valid.

The Bill provides for provisional vesting of such funds and assets with the authority, with permanent vesting possible if the organisation does not obtain a fresh, renewed or restored registration within the prescribed period. It also contains provisions concerning assets created partly through foreign and domestic contributions.

The government has maintained that the amendments are intended to address gaps in the existing framework and bring greater transparency and administrative certainty to the management of assets when an organisation loses its FCRA registration. It has rejected the Opposition’s allegation that the Bill targets any particular community.

With the government now formally proposing a JPC referral, the Bill is likely to undergo further scrutiny before any final decision on its passage.

A JPC can examine the legislation in detail, seek the views of stakeholders and recommend changes, although its recommendations are not binding on the government.