Foreign Contribution Regulation Act 2010 / Section 13
Section 13 FCRA 2010: Suspension of Registration Certificate
Section 13 of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 empowers the Central Government to suspend an FCRA registration certificate while it considers whether the certificate should be cancelled under Section 14. Suspension immediately affects the person's ability to receive and use foreign contribution.
Updated: 27 September 2026
- The suspension order must be in writing and the reasons must be recorded.
- The initial suspension period is 180 days. A further period of up to 180 days may be specified.
- During suspension, fresh foreign contribution cannot ordinarily be received.
- Foreign contribution already in custody may be used only in the prescribed manner and with prior Central Government approval.
- Rule 14 permits up to 25% of the unutilised amount to be spent, with prior approval, for the declared aims and objects. The remaining 75% can be utilised only after revocation of suspension.
What Section 13 provides
Section 13(1): Power to suspend the certificate
Where the Central Government records reasons in writing and is satisfied that suspension is necessary while it considers cancellation on a ground stated in Section 14(1), it may suspend the certificate by a written order for 180 days, or for a further period not exceeding 180 days as may be specified.
The words allowing a further period of up to 180 days were introduced by the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Act, 2020 with effect from 29 September 2020. The earlier text referred only to a period not exceeding 180 days.
Conditions for suspension under Section 13(1)
Section 13 links suspension to the possible cancellation of registration under Section 14. In practical terms, the Central Government must be considering whether a cancellation ground under Section 14(1) exists, must consider suspension necessary pending that process, and must record its reasons in writing.
Effect of suspension under Section 13(2)
Restriction on receiving foreign contribution
Under Section 13(2)(a), a person whose certificate is suspended cannot receive foreign contribution during the suspension period. The proviso allows the Central Government, on an application by that person, to permit receipt of foreign contribution on such terms and conditions as it considers appropriate.
Restriction on using foreign contribution already held
Section 13(2)(b) permits utilisation of foreign contribution in the person's custody only in the prescribed manner and with the prior approval of the Central Government. The prescribed limit is contained in Rule 14 of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Rules, 2011.
Up to 25% of the unutilised foreign contribution may be spent with prior approval of the Central Government, and only for the declared aims and objects for which the contribution was received. The remaining 75% may be utilised only after the suspension of the registration certificate is revoked.
Suspension and cancellation are different
Suspension under Section 13 is an interim statutory measure pending consideration of cancellation. Cancellation is governed separately by Section 14 of the FCRA. Section 14 also contains the grounds on which cancellation may be considered and provides a reasonable opportunity of being heard before a cancellation order is made.
Practical compliance during suspension
An association or other person subject to a suspension order should read the terms of that order carefully and avoid receiving fresh foreign contribution unless specific permission has been granted. Existing foreign contribution should not be utilised merely because it remains in the FCRA account. Prior approval and the Rule 14 limit must be observed. Records of approvals, expenditure and the purpose for which funds are used should be preserved for compliance and reporting purposes.
Related FCRA provisions
Section 13 should be read with Section 11 on registration and prior permission, Section 12 on grant of registration, Section 14 on cancellation and Section 15 on management of foreign contribution after cancellation.
Official legal resources
For the current statutory text, rules, notifications and FCRA services, consult the official Government sources: India Code and the FCRA Online portal of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
This article is a general legal information resource. For a particular suspension order or compliance issue, the exact order, applicable rules, notifications and current official instructions should be examined.