Legislation needs debate, not blind determination

The FCRA Bill, 2026, introduced on March 25, inserts a new Chapter IIIA into the FCRA Act, 2010, creating a Designated Authority under Section 16C with civil court-like powers to supervise, manage, or vest foreign-funded assets when registration is cancelled, surrendered, or lapses.

The Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025, is one of two bills introduced in earlier sessions that require more discussion and scrutiny, as both expand executive control and remove space for independent decision-making.

The government's dashboard shows over 22,000 FCRA registrations cancelled and roughly 15,000 left not renewed as of April 2026, impacting institutions that could be affected by the new mechanism.

The FCRA has evolved since its original enactment in 1976, with the 2010 Act broadening NGO oversight, and the 2020 amendment mandating a single State Bank of India account, cutting administrative spending from 50% to 20%, making Aadhaar mandatory, and banning onward transfer of funds.

The Monsoon Session of Parliament, from July 20 to August 13, has seen contestations on issues both within and outside Parliament, but the two bills have not yet been tabled.