New FCRA Amendment Bill Sparks Fears of Civil Society Crackdown

The newly introduced Foreign Contribution Regulation Amendment Bill 2026 proposes significantly expanding state control over civil society organisations. The legislation grants authorities sweeping powers to intervene in the operations and asset management of non-governmental organisations, triggering intense domestic debate. Critics argue that enhanced compliance burdens and broad discretionary state powers threaten the operational independence of developmental, environmental, and human rights groups relying heavily on crucial foreign funding.