Foreign Contribution Regulation Act 2010
Section 16 FCRA 2010 - Renewal of Registration Certificate
Section 16 of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 governs renewal of an FCRA registration certificate. A registered person must seek renewal before the existing certificate expires. The application is made electronically in Form FC-3C under Rule 12 of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Rules, 2011.
Updated: 27 September 2026
Meaning and scope of Section 16
Section 16 applies to a person who already holds a certificate of registration granted under Section 12 of the FCRA. It deals with continuation of that registration through renewal. It should be read with Rule 12 of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Rules, 2011 and the current Form FC-3C requirements.
In practical terms, renewal is not merely an extension request. The Central Government examines the renewal application under the FCRA framework, including relevant eligibility and compliance requirements. The Ministry of Home Affairs has also published illustrative reasons for denial of registration and renewal applications.
Section 16 - Renewal of certificate
Section 16(1): Every person who has been granted a certificate under Section 12 is required to have the certificate renewed within six months before expiry of the certificate.
Section 16(2): The renewal application must be made to the Central Government in the prescribed form and manner and must be accompanied by the prescribed fee.
Section 16(3): The Central Government shall ordinarily renew the certificate within ninety days from receipt of the renewal application, subject to terms and conditions it considers fit, and the renewal is for five years.
First proviso: If renewal is not granted within the ninety-day period, the Central Government is required to communicate the reasons to the applicant.
Second proviso: Renewal may be refused where the person has violated provisions of the Act or the rules made under it.
Rule 12 renewal procedure and Form FC-3C
Rule 12 supplements Section 16 by prescribing the procedure for renewal. The renewal application is filed electronically in Form FC-3C. Under the current rules, the application is accompanied by the prescribed affidavits and a fee of Rs. 5,000, paid through the payment gateway specified by the Central Government.
The applicant seeking renewal must also provide the FCRA Account details required under the Act and Rules. The Ministry's published guidance identifies compliance items such as prior annual returns, Darpan ID, Aadhaar-related verification requirements for members where applicable, the designated FCRA Account with State Bank of India, New Delhi Main Branch, and prescribed affidavits.
Documents and information to review before filing
- Form FC-3C completed through the official FCRA portal.
- Affidavit in prescribed Proforma AA for each person required by the Rules.
- Current registration and constitutional documents and details required in Form FC-3C.
- Details of the designated FCRA Account under Section 17.
- Previous FCRA annual returns and other statutory compliances that are due.
- Where registration has already ceased, the additional affidavit and certified bank statements required under the amended Form FC-3C, as applicable.
When should the renewal application be filed?
Section 16 and Rule 12 provide the statutory renewal window linked to the six months before expiry. The Ministry of Home Affairs clarified on 30 September 2025 that associations should submit a complete renewal application at least 90 days before the expiry date. This allows time for scrutiny and necessary inputs before the existing registration expires.
What happens if the certificate expires while renewal is pending?
Expiry is important because Rule 12 provides that a person whose registration certificate has ceased cannot receive or utilise foreign contribution until the certificate is renewed. The MHA's 2025 clarification specifically warns that an application filed less than 90 days before expiry may not leave enough time for scrutiny, with the result that the certificate may cease while the renewal application is still pending.
The Rules also address unutilised foreign contribution and assets where registration is deemed to have ceased. An association facing expiry or cessation should therefore verify the current statutory position and any applicable MHA order or public notice before dealing with foreign contribution.
Grounds relevant to renewal scrutiny
Renewal is subject to the FCRA and the Rules. Section 16 itself permits refusal where provisions of the Act or Rules have been violated. In addition, MHA's published guidance on denial or refusal of applications identifies issues that may arise during renewal scrutiny, including incomplete applications, concealment of information, failure to provide clarifications or documents, and matters connected with the statutory conditions applicable to registration.
Section 16 compliance at a glance
| Requirement | Current position |
|---|---|
| Who applies | Person holding an FCRA registration certificate under Section 12 |
| Renewal period | Within six months before expiry of the certificate |
| Recommended practical timing | At least 90 days before expiry, as clarified by MHA |
| Form | Electronic Form FC-3C |
| Renewal fee | Rs. 5,000 under Rule 12 |
| Ordinary processing period under Section 16 | 90 days from receipt of the renewal application |
| Renewed certificate period | Five years |
| If certificate has ceased | Foreign contribution cannot be received or utilised until renewal, subject to the Act and Rules |
Official FCRA resources
For filing and verification, use the official Ministry of Home Affairs FCRA portal. Because forms, portal requirements, public notices and procedural instructions may change, the current official material should be checked before submitting a renewal application.
- FCRA Online Services - Ministry of Home Affairs
- MHA - Online FCRA Services
- MHA - FCRA forms and other information
- Verify FCRA Registration Certificate