Centre forms 31-member JPC to examine FCRA Amendment Bill

September 03, 2026 | 22:08:33

The committee comprises 21 members from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha and includes representation from several political parties.

NEW DELHI: The Centre has constituted a 31-member Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to examine the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, marking the next stage of parliamentary scrutiny of the proposed changes to the country's foreign-funding framework. BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal has been appointed chairperson of the committee.

The committee comprises 21 members from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha and includes representation from several political parties. The panel will examine the provisions of the proposed legislation and consider possible changes before the Bill proceeds further in Parliament.

The FCRA Amendment Bill, 2026, seeks to amend the existing Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, which governs the receipt and utilisation of foreign contributions by individuals, associations and organisations in India. One of the key proposals is a framework for dealing with foreign-funded assets when an organisation's FCRA registration is cancelled, surrendered or ceases to remain valid.

Under the proposed framework, a Designated Authority would oversee the management and disposal of such assets. The Bill also proposes changes relating to penalties and the government's oversight of foreign contributions.

The legislation has generated political controversy, with Opposition parties raising concerns about its potential impact on NGOs, minority organisations and civil-society groups. Congress and other Opposition parties have criticised several provisions and called for greater scrutiny of the Bill. Some Christian organisations have also expressed concerns over its possible implications for institutions dependent on foreign contributions.

The government, however, has maintained that the proposed amendments are not targeted at any particular religion or community and are intended to strengthen transparency, accountability and regulation in the handling of foreign contributions.

The constitution of the JPC is expected to provide lawmakers from across political parties an opportunity to examine the Bill clause by clause and assess its possible legal, administrative and social implications. The committee's recommendations will be important before Parliament takes up the legislation for further consideration.