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FCRA Bill sent to Joint Parliamentary Committee amid opposition ruckus
Aug-12-2026

The Lok Sabha passed a motion to refer the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, to a 31-member joint committee of Parliament for further scrutiny, amid strong Opposition protests and demands for its withdrawal.

The motion to refer the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 to a JPC was moved by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai. The JPC will consist of 21 MPs from the Lok Sabha as well as 10 from the Rajya Sabha. The members from the Lok Sabha will be nominated by Speaker Om Birla, while those from the Rajya Sabha will be nominated by Chairman C P Radhakrishnan.

The committee will examine the Bill in detail and submit its report to Parliament by the last day of the first week of the Winter Session in 2026. The motion also specified that one-third of the committee’s total membership would constitute the quorum for its meetings.

While, Congress has maintained its opposition to the legislation and called for its complete withdrawal. Congress leader KC Venugopal said that the Opposition wants the complete withdrawal of the Bill, claiming that it is focused on targeting NGOs and the ‘minority’ organisations and institutions. The demand also received support from Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav and DMK MP T.R Baalu. 

In reply, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju clarified that the Bill does not aim to ‘target minorities.’ He even pointed out that the Opposition itself had demanded the Bill to be sent to the JPC. He noted that the Bill only ensures the security of the country.

Amid sloganeering, the resolution to send the FCRA Bill to the JPC was adopted by a voice vote. Later on, the House was adjourned till 3 pm.

The FCRA governs the receipt and utilisation of foreign contributions by individuals, associations and organisations in India. The law is intended to ensure that foreign funds are accepted and utilised in accordance with the purposes for which they are received and in compliance with statutory requirements.


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