FCAR registration certificate application to be submitted before expiry of 90 days

Clarification regarding timely submission of application for renewal of FCRA registration certificate under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010.

Ministry of Home Affairs (FCRA Division) has issued a clarification regarding timely submission of application for renewal of FCRA registration certificate. Attention of all associations registered under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 (FCRA, 2010) has been invited to the provisions of Section 16 of the Act and Rule 12 of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Rules, 2011 (FCRR, 2011) relating to renewal of registration certificate.

Section 16(1) of FCRA, 2010 requires every person granted a certificate under Section 12 to apply for renewal within six months prior to the expiry of the validity of the certificate.

Further, Section 16(3) provides that the Central Government shall ordinarily renew the certificate within ninety days from the date of receipt of the renewal application. Rule 12(2) of FCRR, 2011 prescribes that such application shall be submitted electronically in Form FC-3C, accompanied by affidavits in Proforma ‘AA’.

As per Public Notice issued by the Ministry it has been stated that many associations are submitting renewal applications less than ninety days before the expiry of their certificate. Such delayed submissions do not allow sufficient time for scrutiny and for obtaining necessary inputs from security agencies before the validity expires. As a result, certificates are deemed to have ceased on expiry while renewal applications remain pending. Consequently, in accordance with Rule 12(5) of FCRR, 2011, such associations cannot receive or utilise foreign contribution until renewal is granted, thereby disrupting their ongoing activities.

All Associations have been advised to submit their renewal applications well in advance and, in any case, not later than four months before the expiry of their certificate to facilitate timely processing and disposal of their applications, and avoid disruption in their activities.

Download FCRA Public Notice dated 30.09.2025 Click Here >>

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