The United States Representative Riley Moore has warned that the FCRA amendment proposed in 2026 could enable the Indian government to take over churches and other religious charities. He called the move a "clear attack against Christians" and said it may strain Indo‑US bilateral ties.
Key Developments
- The Amendment Bill proposes a "Designated Authority" to manage foreign contributions and assets of cancelled organisations.
- If the assets are a place of worship, the Authority must preserve its religious character.
- The maximum penalty for violating the Act is reduced from five years imprisonment to one year.
- US Congressman Riley Moore (Republican, West Virginia) raised the issue on X on 4 August 2026, linking it to concerns over religious freedom.
Important Facts
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, 13,520 organisations received ₹55,741 crore in foreign contributions between 2019 and 2022. As of 15 July 2026, the FCRA portal shows:
- 14,449 active FCRA certificates
- 22,498 cancelled certificates
- 15,212 certificates deemed expired
Exam Relevance
Understanding the amendment is vital for GS‑2 (Polity) and GS‑4 (Ethics) topics such as:
- Regulation of civil society organisations and foreign funding.
- Balancing state security concerns with constitutional guarantees of religious freedom.
- India’s diplomatic relations with the United States, especially on human‑rights and minority‑rights issues.
Candidates should be able to discuss how changes in the Designated Authority could affect the autonomy of NGOs and religious institutions, and the broader implications for India’s secular fabric.
Way Forward
Stakeholders, including state governments like Nagaland, have urged a parliamentary panel review of the amendment. A balanced approach may involve:
- Ensuring transparent criteria for cancellation of FCRA registration.
- Providing safeguards to protect the religious character of worship places.
- Maintaining proportionate penalties to deter misuse without stifling legitimate civil‑society work.
- Engaging in diplomatic dialogue with the United States to address concerns over religious freedom.
For UPSC aspirants, tracking the legislative progress of the amendment and related debates will help answer questions on governance, law, and international relations.