FCRA Amendment Bill Referred To JPC Amid Opposition Uproar In Parliament

The FCRA Amendment Bill, 2026, has been referred to a 31-member Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for detailed scrutiny amid strong Opposition objections in the monsoon session. 

Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai moved the motion in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. The move came amid a sharp exchange between the government and Opposition members over the proposed changes.

Opposition raises concerns

Opposition parties and several religious institutions have objected to provisions they consider stringent, arguing that they could give the executive wide powers over organisations receiving foreign contributions.

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav said the Opposition was against the FCRA Bill. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju defended the government’s decision to refer the legislation to a JPC for detailed examination.

What the Bill proposes?

The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 25. It seeks to amend the FCRA framework governing foreign contributions received by NGOs, religious institutions, trusts and other eligible organisations. 

One of its key provisions deals with the assets of organisations whose FCRA registration is cancelled, surrendered or ceases. The Bill proposes a Designated Authority to oversee, manage and dispose of such foreign-funded assets. 

The Bill also proposes reducing the maximum imprisonment for violations of the Act from five years to one year. 

31-member panel to examine Bill

The proposed JPC will have 31 members, with 21 Lok Sabha MPs and 10 Rajya Sabha MPs. The Lok Sabha Speaker will select the 21 members from the lower House, while the Rajya Sabha Chairman will select the 10 members from the upper House.

The committee’s quorum has been set at one-third of its total membership.

The JPC will have to submit its report to the Lok Sabha by the last day of the first week of the 2026 winter session. The Lok Sabha has also recommended that the Rajya Sabha nominate its 10 members to the committee.

The referral means the proposed amendments will undergo detailed parliamentary scrutiny before the Bill moves ahead in the legislative process.