Is FCRA registration mandatory for NGOs receiving foreign funds?

Yes - Section 11 of FCRA 2010 prohibits any person from accepting foreign contribution without registration (Form FC-3A) or prior permission (Form FC-3B). Violation is punishable under Section 35 with imprisonment up to 5 years.

What changed with the FCRA Amendment Act 2020?

Effective 1 January 2021 - (a) mandatory SBI Main Branch New Delhi account (Section 17(1)); (b) Aadhaar of all office-bearers (Rule 9AAA); (c) administrative expenditure cap reduced from 50% to 20% (Section 8); (d) no transfer of foreign contribution to other persons (Section 7); (e) 5-year validity of registration (earlier lifetime); (f) suspension up to 180 days (Section 13); (g) Aadhaar-based verification.

What is the difference between Registration (FC-3A) and Prior Permission (FC-3B)?

Registration is for organisations with 3-year existence + ₹10 lakh spend - to receive foreign contribution from any source for any permitted activity. Prior Permission is for one-time contribution from a specific donor for a specific purpose - does not require 3-year existence.

Can foreign contribution be transferred to another NGO?

Post-2020 amendment - generally no (Section 7 substituted). Exception: transfer to another FCRA-registered person up to ₹1 lakh per FY (proviso to substituted Section 7).

Is the SBI Main Branch New Delhi account mandatory even if the NGO is based in another city?

Yes - post-2020 amendment, every FCRA-registered association must maintain a separate account at SBI, Main Branch, New Delhi (IFSC SBIN0000691). All foreign contributions are routed through this account. The NGO can transfer from this account to its regular operating account.

What happens if FCRA registration is cancelled under Section 14?

The entity cannot accept any foreign contribution; existing funds in the FCRA account may be forfeited. Fresh registration application barred for 3 years (Section 14A inserted by 2020 amendment).

What is the 20% administrative expenditure cap?

Section 8 substituted post-2020 - not more than 20% of foreign contribution received in a FY can be spent on administrative expenditure (salaries of office-bearers, rent, electricity, etc.). The remaining 80% must be spent on the stated core activity.

Can a candidate contesting an election receive foreign contribution?

No - Section 3(b) of FCRA 2010 expressly prohibits candidates contesting any election from accepting foreign contribution. Violation attracts penalty under Section 35 - imprisonment up to 5 years.

Editor's pickStartup · NGO / TrustRoC Bangalore Jurisdiction

FCRA Registration in Bangalore

Register an NGO under Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act 2010 (amended 2020). Form FC-3A on fcraonline.nic.in. SBI Main Branch New Delhi account. ₹5K fee.

Statutory basis: **Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010** (Act 42 of 2010) — Section 1 (short title), Section 2 (definitions — "foreign contribution", "foreign source", "foreign organisation"), Section 3 (prohibition of acceptance of foreign contribution), Section 6 (persons to whom foreign contribution cannot be accepted), Section 11 (no person to accept foreign contribution without registration), Section 12 (certificate of registration), Section 12A (prior permission), Section 13 (suspension of certificate), Section 14 (cancellation of certificate), Section 17 (bank account), Section 18 (utilisation of foreign contribution), Section 19 (prior permission for candidate), Section 31 (audit), Section 32 (annual return), Section 33 (intimation), Section 35 (penalty for acceptance in violation), Section 36 (penalty for contravention — imprisonment up to 5 years). **Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Rules, 2011** (Notification G.S.R. 264(E) dated 29 March 2011) amended by **Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Rules, 2020** (Notification G.S.R. 643(E) dated 28 September 2020) — Rule 6 (registration application), Rule 7 (prior permission), Rule 9 (bank account), Rule 13 (utilisation), Rule 17 (annual return — Form FC-4). **Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Act, 2020** (Act 33 of 2020) — effective 1 January 2021 — introduced mandatory SBI Main Branch New Delhi account (Section 17(1) substituted), Aadhaar of office-bearers (Rule 9AAA added), reduction of administrative overhead from 50% to 20% (Section 8 substituted), prohibition of transfer to third party (Section 7 substituted)..

Turnaround

7–14 Days

₹

Starts from

₹10,399

Money-back accuracy

Guaranteed

Total starting from

₹10,399

Professional fee (no government fee)

Professional fee₹10,399 starts with

Government fee (est.)No fee

Turnaround7–14 Days

Money-back accuracy. CA/CS specialist. Tracked client portal.

CONFIRMEDverified 25 Aug 2026

Total starting from

₹10,399

7–14 Days

Prof: ₹10,399•Govt: No fee• Guaranteed

Dedicated specialist

CA-led, named point of contact

Tracked client portal

Real-time status, end-to-end

Money-back accuracy

Refile-free if our error

Flat-fee pricing

No hidden charges, ever

About this service

FCRA Registration in Bangalore is a key regulatory filing administered by **Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)**, Government of India — Foreigners Division (FCRA Wing). Operational portal: https://fcraonline.nic.in.. Filing is executed via - **Form FC-3A** — Application for Registration under Section 12 (revised post-2020 amendment) — mandatory electronic filing on fcraonline.nic.in. under **Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010** (Act 42 of 2010) — Section 1 (short title), Section 2 (definitions — "foreign contribution", "foreign source", "foreign organisation"), Section 3 (prohibition of acceptance of foreign contribution), Section 6 (persons to whom foreign contribution cannot be accepted), Section 11 (no person to accept foreign contribution without registration), Section 12 (certificate of registration), Section 12A (prior permission), Section 13 (suspension of certificate), Section 14 (cancellation of certificate), Section 17 (bank account), Section 18 (utilisation of foreign contribution), Section 19 (prior permission for candidate), Section 31 (audit), Section 32 (annual return), Section 33 (intimation), Section 35 (penalty for acceptance in violation), Section 36 (penalty for contravention — imprisonment up to 5 years). **Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Rules, 2011** (Notification G.S.R. 264(E) dated 29 March 2011) amended by **Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Rules, 2020** (Notification G.S.R. 643(E) dated 28 September 2020) — Rule 6 (registration application), Rule 7 (prior permission), Rule 9 (bank account), Rule 13 (utilisation), Rule 17 (annual return — Form FC-4). **Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Act, 2020** (Act 33 of 2020) — effective 1 January 2021 — introduced mandatory SBI Main Branch New Delhi account (Section 17(1) substituted), Aadhaar of office-bearers (Rule 9AAA added), reduction of administrative overhead from 50% to 20% (Section 8 substituted), prohibition of transfer to third party (Section 7 substituted).. Our specialist-led team ensures full compliance with statutory documentation, eligibility verification, and expedited government approval.

Eligibility & thresholds

Minimum

Valid identity & address proof of applicant
Active PAN & registered business premises
Authorized representative authorization

Maximum

Compliant under applicable regulatory laws
No pending statutory disqualifications
Valid across authorized operational jurisdictions

Statutory floor

Pre-filing statutory documentation verification
Official statutory fee schedule as per authority
Mandatory periodic compliance filings post-approval

What's included

Everything in one transparent fee — no add-ons, no surprises.

Investor-Centric AOA Drafting

If you plan to raise institutional funding, standard Articles of Association (AOA) will not suffice. Venture capitalists demand specific clauses regarding right of first refusal (ROFR), tag-along/drag-along rights, and anti-dilution provisions. Our elite corporate lawyers draft sophisticated AOAs that anticipate future funding rounds, preventing costly and time-consuming structural overhauls when you secure term sheets.

Complex Multi-Founder Structuring

Co-founder disputes are the leading cause of early-stage startup failure. We don't just register your company; we advise on optimal equity splits, director roles, and authorized capital distribution. We provide templates for Co-Founder Agreements and vesting schedules, ensuring that the foundational relationship between partners is legally documented and aligned for long-term stability.

Rapid SPICe+ Processing Engine

Time is of the essence for startups. We utilize an advanced compliance engine that preemptively validates all data entered into the SPICe+ (INC-32) form. By cross-referencing PAN databases, checking DIN eligibility, and formatting registered office proofs perfectly, we eliminate typographical errors that typically cause frustrating ROC resubmission delays, ensuring first-pass approval.

Strategic Authorized Capital Advisory

Determining your initial Authorized Share Capital is a delicate balance. Set it too low, and you'll immediately face high fees to increase it during your first seed round. Set it too high, and you pay unnecessary upfront government stamp duty. We analyze your 12-to-18-month funding roadmap to recommend the exact optimal capital structure that minimizes immediate costs while accommodating your immediate growth.

ESOP Implementation Framework

Attracting top-tier talent in the startup ecosystem often requires offering Employee Stock Ownership Plans. A Private Limited Company is the only structure that efficiently supports this. As part of our premium advisory, we structure your initial cap table to accommodate a future ESOP pool seamlessly, ensuring you are ready to incentivize your founding team.

Comprehensive Post-Incorporation Toolkit

Receiving the Certificate of Incorporation is just the starting line. Within the first 30 to 180 days, you must open a bank account, appoint a statutory auditor (ADT-1), and file the Commencement of Business (INC-20A). We provide a complete post-incorporation execution service, handling these mandatory compliance milestones so you can focus entirely on product development and sales.

Government Fee Breakdown

Government charges only — separate from I-Pro's professional fee. All figures verified as of 25 August 2026.

Fee Component	Amount (₹)	Basis / Authority
Form FC-3A (Registration)	₹5,000 for associations (post-2020 amended fee).
Form FC-3B (Prior Permission)	₹1,000.
Form FC-3C (Renewal)	₹5,000.
Form FC-4 (Annual Return)	Nil - free filing.
Form FC-6 (Change of bearer / office)	Nil.
Form FC-12 (Surrender)	Nil.
Total Government Fee	No fee	(for default assumptions stated below)

Fee Component

Form FC-3A (Registration)

Amount (₹)

₹5,000 for associations (post-2020 amended fee).

Basis / Authority

Fee Component

Form FC-3B (Prior Permission)

Amount (₹)

₹1,000.

Basis / Authority

Fee Component

Form FC-3C (Renewal)

Amount (₹)

₹5,000.

Basis / Authority

Fee Component

Form FC-4 (Annual Return)

Amount (₹)

Nil - free filing.

Basis / Authority

Fee Component

Form FC-6 (Change of bearer / office)

Amount (₹)

Nil.

Basis / Authority

Fee Component

Form FC-12 (Surrender)

Amount (₹)

Nil.

Basis / Authority

Total Government Fee

No fee

(for default assumptions stated below)

Government charges only — verified statutory schedule for Bangalore, Karnataka. Professional fee separate.

Required documents

Each list identifies exactly what to provide — and what you do not need to submit. Use the accordions to expand.

1
**Registration certificate** of the association - Society / Trust / Section 8 Company
Identity and statutory verification
2
**Memorandum of Association / Trust Deed / MoA & AoA** of the entity
Identity and statutory verification
3
**PAN** of the association
Identity and statutory verification
4
**Aadhaar** of all office-bearers (mandatory post-2020 amendment - Rule 9AAA)
Identity and statutory verification
5
**Bank account details** - SBI, Main Branch, New Delhi (mandatory post-2020 amendment - Section 17(1) substituted) - Account number + IFSC (SBIN0000691)
Identity and statutory verification
6
**Audit reports** for the immediately preceding 3 financial years - CA-certified
Identity and statutory verification
7
**Income-Tax Returns / acknowledgements** for the immediately preceding 3 FY
Identity and statutory verification
8
**Activity report** - cultural / economic / educational / religious / social - supported by photographs, publications, training material
Identity and statutory verification
9
**Committee / Executive Body resolution** authorising the applicant to file FCRA registration
Identity and statutory verification
10
**Project / programme details** for which foreign contribution is sought - with budget
Identity and statutory verification
11
**Domestic funding sources** - list of donors, grant receipts
Identity and statutory verification
12
**Self-attested declaration** that the entity is not prohibited under Section 3 / Rule 4 of FCRR 2011
Identity and statutory verification
13
**Photocopies of EC meetings** for last 3 years
Identity and statutory verification
14
**List of office-bearers** with PAN / Aadhaar / passport-size photographs
Identity and statutory verification
15
**Bank statement** of the entity for last 3 financial years
Identity and statutory verification

How it works

Each step is labelled with who performs it — Customer, I-Pro, or the Regulator. Form names are linked to the official portal.

1
Customer⏱ 1-2 Days
Verify that the entity is eligible (registered /...
Verify that the entity is eligible (registered / in existence ≥3 years; ₹10 lakh spend in 3 FY).
2
I-Pro⏱ 1-2 Days
Open **SBI Main Branch, New Delhi** account - Ac...
Open **SBI Main Branch, New Delhi** account - Account Number to be intimated under FCRA. SBI FCRA Cell processes the request in 7-10 working days.
3
I-Pro⏱ 1-2 Days
Compile 3-year audit reports + ITR acknowledgeme...
Compile 3-year audit reports + ITR acknowledgements.
4
I-Pro⏱ 1-2 Days
Verify Aadhaar of all office-bearers (post-2020 ...
Verify Aadhaar of all office-bearers (post-2020 mandatory).
5
I-Pro⏱ 1-2 Days
Apply online on https://fcraonline.nic.in → "App...
Apply online on https://fcraonline.nic.in → "Application for Registration" → **Form FC-3A**.
6
I-Pro⏱ 1-2 Days
Pay fee ₹2,000 for individuals (not applicable t...
Pay fee ₹2,000 for individuals (not applicable to FCRA) / **₹5,000 for association** (post-2020 revised fee).
7
I-Pro⏱ 1-2 Days
Upload annexures - MoA / Trust Deed / audit / IT...
Upload annexures - MoA / Trust Deed / audit / ITR / activity report / project plan / declaration.
8
I-Pro⏱ 1-2 Days
Scrutiny - MHA processes applications and commun...
Scrutiny - MHA processes applications and communicates decision typically within **90 to 180 days** (Section 12(3) - application to be disposed within 90 days, but practical timeline is 6-12 months - **PROFESSIONAL VERIFICATION REQUIRED** for current processing time).
9
I-Pro⏱ 1-2 Days
Grant of registration - Form FC-3A registration ...
Grant of registration - Form FC-3A registration certificate issued; certificate valid for **5 years** (post-2020 amendment; earlier life-time).
10
I-Pro⏱ 1-2 Days
Brief customer on Form FC-4 annual return (due 3...
Brief customer on Form FC-4 annual return (due 31 December each year), 20% administrative ceiling (Section 8 substituted), and Form FC-6 for change of bearers.

Post-registration compliance

What to file next. I-Pro handles these as part of the annual compliance package.

Filing	Form	Deadline
Commencement of Business (Form INC-20A) Penalty: ₹50,000 for company + ₹1,000/day for directors (max ₹1 Lakh)	`One-time mandatory`	Within 180 days of incorporation after bank capital deposit
First Auditor Appointment (Form ADT-1) Penalty: Statutory non-compliance; prosecution of defaulting officers	`5-year tenure`	Within 30 days of incorporation by Board of Directors
Annual Financial Statements (Form AOC-4) Penalty: ₹100 per day of delay per form with no statutory ceiling	`Annual`	Within 30 days of AGM (by 29 October annually)
Annual Return (Form MGT-7) Penalty: ₹100 per day of delay per form with no statutory ceiling	`Annual`	Within 60 days of AGM (by 29 November annually)
Director KYC Verification (DIR-3 KYC) Penalty: ₹5,000 statutory fee per DIN + deactivation	`Annual`	Every designated partner / director holding active DIN by 30 September

Filing

Commencement of Business (Form INC-20A)

Penalty: ₹50,000 for company + ₹1,000/day for directors (max ₹1 Lakh)

Form

One-time mandatory

Deadline

Within 180 days of incorporation after bank capital deposit

Filing

First Auditor Appointment (Form ADT-1)

Penalty: Statutory non-compliance; prosecution of defaulting officers

Form

5-year tenure

Deadline

Within 30 days of incorporation by Board of Directors

Filing

Annual Financial Statements (Form AOC-4)

Penalty: ₹100 per day of delay per form with no statutory ceiling

Form

Annual

Deadline

Within 30 days of AGM (by 29 October annually)

Filing

Annual Return (Form MGT-7)

Penalty: ₹100 per day of delay per form with no statutory ceiling

Form

Annual

Deadline

Within 60 days of AGM (by 29 November annually)

Filing

Director KYC Verification (DIR-3 KYC)

Penalty: ₹5,000 statutory fee per DIN + deactivation

Form

Annual

Deadline

Every designated partner / director holding active DIN by 30 September

Penalties for non-compliance

Statutory penalties under governing regulatory provisions. Avoid non-compliance delays.

Non-compliance	Provision	Penalty
Commencement of Business (Form INC-20A)	One-time mandatory	₹50,000 for company + ₹1,000/day for directors (max ₹1 Lakh)
First Auditor Appointment (Form ADT-1)	5-year tenure	Statutory non-compliance; prosecution of defaulting officers
Annual Financial Statements (Form AOC-4)	Annual	₹100 per day of delay per form with no statutory ceiling
Annual Return (Form MGT-7)	Annual	₹100 per day of delay per form with no statutory ceiling
Director KYC Verification (DIR-3 KYC)	Annual	₹5,000 statutory fee per DIN + deactivation

Non-compliance

Commencement of Business (Form INC-20A)

Provision

One-time mandatory

Penalty

₹50,000 for company + ₹1,000/day for directors (max ₹1 Lakh)

Non-compliance

First Auditor Appointment (Form ADT-1)

Provision

5-year tenure

Penalty

Statutory non-compliance; prosecution of defaulting officers

Non-compliance

Annual Financial Statements (Form AOC-4)

Provision

Annual

Penalty

₹100 per day of delay per form with no statutory ceiling

Non-compliance

Annual Return (Form MGT-7)

Provision

Annual

Penalty

₹100 per day of delay per form with no statutory ceiling

Non-compliance

Director KYC Verification (DIR-3 KYC)

Provision

Annual

Penalty

₹5,000 statutory fee per DIN + deactivation

Common mistakes to avoid

Avoidable filing errors that cause delays or rejection. Each can be resolved before submission.

1
Mismatched applicant legal name or identity details across KYC proofs
Why: Government verification APIs cross-check with UIDAI and MCA databases and automatically flag discrepancies in spelling or dates.
Fix: Our specialists pre-validate your documents against official government databases before portal filing.
2
Submitting outdated utility bills or non-notarized commercial leases
Why: Premises proofs older than 60 days or defective landlord NOCs trigger statutory scrutiny queries and multi-week processing delays.
Fix: We verify recent billing dates and provide pre-formatted, legally vetted landlord NOC and lease formats.
3
Selecting incorrect classification, turnover slab, or statutory activity code
Why: Applications filed under inappropriate classifications attract show-cause notices and potential rejection without statutory fee refund.
Fix: We conduct a statutory scope assessment to align your application with the exact regulatory requirements.

Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about this service.

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