UPSC Mains 2015 · GS II · Q8 · 12.5 marks · 200 words

Examine critically the recent changes in the rules governing foreign funding of NGOs under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 1976.

हिन्दी में

विदेशी अभिदाय (विनियमन) अधिनियम (एफ० सी० आर० ए०), 1976 के अधीन गैर-सरकारी संगठनों के विदेशी वित्तीयन के नियंत्रक नियमों में हाल के परिवर्तनों का समालोचनात्मक परीक्षण कीजिए।

NGOs, SHGs and Civil Society

How a topper answered the closest question

Toppers wrote this one in a test series: “"The increasing regulatory oversight on civil society organisations risks shrinking democratic space." Examine.”

Pakshal SecretryAIR 8 · CSE 2025 · 95 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening · a date or context

Recently government amended FCRA Act to ensure greater regulatory oversight on civil society.

Body · points

Diagram
Need → - FATF guidelines - IB Report: loss of 1-2% of GDP due to Activism - Money Laundering → IRP of Zakir Naik for Terror financing

Issues

  1. Cancellation of license of genuine NGOs (eg Oxfam, CHRI).

  2. Excessive regulation (eg Audit every 6 month, account in Delhi Branch)

  3. Prosecution of Dissent Eg ED Raids on NGOs against government

  4. Switching off funding for small NGOs Eg Not allowing large NGOs to subtend finances

  5. Misuse of the laws to silent democratic voices

  6. Chilling effect → due to psychological pressure on NGO

Way forward

  1. Doctrine of Proportionality in regulation
  2. Independent Body for regulatory oversight

Close · a way forward

None written.

2 more toppers’ answers to this question, part by part, and how they all approached it: open the question.

Toppers’ answers to other close questions

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination 2015, General Studies Paper II, Q8. The paper on upsc.gov.in. Themes and links to toppers’ answers are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.