| Non-Political Associations |
Political Associations |
| Can't receive foreign funds without registration: FCRA registration would expire after 5 years & had to be renewed afresh. Earlier it was permanent. The Renewal of license within 6 months of expiration. Further, MHA can suspend registration upon receiving adverse inputs. |
Can's receive foreign funds at all: Members of legislature, political parties, government officials, judges, media persons are prohibited from receiving any foreign contribution |
| NGOs Can receive donations for 5 purposes only: Registered associations can receive foreign contribution for social, educational, religious, economic and cultural purposes. |
Exception For political parties: In 2017, the MHA through the Finance Bill route amended the 1976 repealed FCRA law paving the way for political parties to receive funds from the Indian subsidiary of a foreign company or a foreign company where an Indian holds 50% or more shares. |
| Regulation of spending: Reduction in use of foreign contribution for administrative purposes from 50% to 20%, thereby controlling how a civil society spends its money. |
No regulation for political parties: Once fund is received, they can use in any way possible. However, Members of legislature, government officials, judges and media persons cannot receive any amount in individual capacity. |
| Single Aadhar linked SBI account to receive funds: the NGOs registered under the Act were asked to open a designated bank account at the SBI, Delhi and compulsorily register the Aadhaar details of the chief functionaries, trustees and office-bearers. |
The same regulation applies. Further, under the Representation of People's act(RPA), only Single account is possible to receive money electoral bonds. No other regulation is there in favour of political parties. |
| Undertaking to be submitted: regarding -
National Security: that foreign funds are not likely to prejudicially affect the sovereignty & integrity of India or impact friendly relations with any foreign state and does not disrupt communal harmony. |
No such regulation for Political parties.
However, for Political interest groups, all regulation that are applicable for the NGO applies. |
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