Section 9 FCRA 2010: Power of Central Government to Prohibit Receipt of Foreign Contribution in Certain Cases
Section 9 of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 gives the Central Government targeted powers to prohibit, require prior permission for, or require reporting of foreign contribution or foreign hospitality where the statutory conditions are satisfied.
Text and meaning of Section 9
The Central Government may:
Clause (a): prohibit any person or organisation not specified in Section 3 from accepting any foreign contribution.
Clause (b): require any person or class of persons not specified in Section 6 to obtain prior permission of the Central Government before accepting foreign hospitality.
Clause (c): require any person or class of persons not specified in Section 11 to furnish the prescribed intimation regarding the amount and source of foreign contribution received, the manner of receipt, and the purpose and manner of its utilisation.
Clause (d): without prejudice to Section 11(1), require any person or class of persons specified in that provision to obtain prior permission of the Central Government before accepting foreign contribution.
Clause (e): require any person or class of persons not specified in Section 6 to furnish the prescribed intimation regarding foreign hospitality, including its source and manner of receipt.
When can the Central Government use Section 9?
The proviso limits the use of these powers. A prohibition or requirement under Section 9 may be imposed only when the Central Government is satisfied that acceptance of the foreign contribution or foreign hospitality is likely to prejudicially affect one or more of the following statutory interests:
- the sovereignty and integrity of India;
- public interest;
- the freedom or fairness of election to any Legislature;
- friendly relations with any foreign State; or
- harmony between religious, racial, social, linguistic or regional groups, castes or communities.
Related provisions explained
Section 3 - persons prohibited from accepting foreign contribution
Section 3 contains the Act's direct prohibition on acceptance of foreign contribution by specified persons and categories. Section 9(a) operates in relation to a person or organisation not specified in Section 3.
Section 6 - restriction on foreign hospitality
Section 6 regulates acceptance of foreign hospitality by specified persons when visiting a foreign country. Section 9(b) and Section 9(e) enable additional prior-permission or reporting requirements for persons or classes not specified in Section 6.
Section 11 - registration and prior permission
Section 11 is the principal provision governing acceptance of foreign contribution by persons having a definite cultural, economic, educational, religious or social programme. Section 9(c) and Section 9(d) allow additional reporting or prior-permission controls in the circumstances stated in Section 9.
Practical effect of Section 9
Section 9 does not impose a universal prohibition by itself. It authorises the Central Government to impose a specified prohibition, prior-permission condition or reporting requirement where the statutory satisfaction in the proviso exists. A person or organisation affected by an order or requirement should therefore read the particular direction together with the FCRA, the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Rules, 2011 and any applicable official notification or public notice.
Current FCRA compliance framework
The FCRA, 2010 continues to operate together with the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Rules, 2011, as amended from time to time. Registration, prior permission and other FCRA services are administered through the Ministry of Home Affairs and the official FCRA online portal. Users should check current rules, notifications and portal instructions before acting because procedural requirements can change.
Updated: 27 September 2026. This page is an informational guide to Section 9 and should be read with the current statutory text, rules and applicable government orders.