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[1st October 2025] The Hindu Op-ed: A 100-year journey as the guardian of meritocracy

op-ed snap | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Indian Constitution - historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure

PYQ Relevance

[UPSC 2018] The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has a very vital role to play. Explain how this is reflected in the method and terms of his appointment as well as the range of powers he can exercise.

Linkage: Such constitutional bodies, like UPSC, completing 100 years, are often asked in exams, similar to questions on CAG’s appointment, tenure, and powers, highlighting the significance of understanding their independence and functions.

Mentor’s Comment

On October 1, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) completed a century of its establishment. From its inception under colonial rule to its present role as the guardian of meritocracy in independent India, the Commission has stood as a symbol of fairness, trust, and integrity in governance. As aspirants preparing for UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE), understanding the history, philosophy, challenges, and reforms of this institution is vital — not just as knowledge, but also as inspiration for your own journey.

Introduction

The UPSC is more than an examining body; it is an institution that embodies the idea of equal opportunity, fairness, and trust in public life. Established in 1926, it has evolved through colonial, constitutional, and modern phases, transforming into one of the most complex yet respected recruitment agencies in the world. Conducting one of the toughest examinations with lakhs of aspirants each year, it ensures that merit alone decides entry into the highest echelons of governance. As the UPSC turns 100, this milestone is both a celebration of its legacy and a reflection on the road ahead.

The Historical Foundations of UPSC

  1. Colonial beginnings (1926): Set up as the Public Service Commission following the Lee Commission’s recommendations (1924), initially with limited powers.
  2. Government of India Act 1935: Elevated to Federal Public Service Commission, giving Indians a greater role.
  3. Constitutional status (1950): Became UPSC, enshrined in the Constitution as an independent institution to safeguard meritocracy.

What makes UPSC a Pillar of Fairness and Trust?

  1. Trust: Millions of aspirants rely on its transparency and impartiality; success depends solely on merit.
  2. Integrity: UPSC has remained insulated from political/external pressures, maintaining confidentiality and resisting malpractice.
  3. Fairness: Provides a level playing field — urban/rural, rich/poor, English/non-English — ensuring inclusivity in a diverse nation.
  4. Philosophy: Embodies the spirit of the Bhagavad Gītā — performing duty with rigor and detachment from outcomes.

Why is the UPSC Examination Unique Globally?

  1. Scale: From 10–12 lakh prelim applicants annually to final merit lists through multi-stage filtering.
  2. Diversity: 48 optional subjects, 22 languages, making it the world’s most sophisticated competitive exam.
  3. Logistics: Prelims across 2,500+ venues; complex distribution for Mains subject papers across the country.
  4. Equity: Special arrangements for differently-abled candidates.
  5. Resilience: Seamless functioning even during COVID-19.

How Has UPSC Expanded the ‘Indian Dream’?

  1. Democratization: Once elite-centric, now aspirants come from remotest districts and underprivileged regions.
  2. Opportunity: UPSC embodies the idea that talent + hard work can overcome barriers.
  3. Nation-building: Its selected civil servants have steered India through crises, reforms, environmental challenges, and growth.

Who are the Unsung Heroes Behind UPSC?

  1. Paper-setters and evaluators: Finest academics and experts, anonymous contributors ensuring fairness.
  2. Role: Guarantee quality, unbiased assessment, and rigorous standards, remaining away from recognition.

What Reforms Define UPSC’s Future-readiness?

  1. Digital modernization: Online application portal, face-recognition tech to prevent impersonation.
  2. PRATIBHA Setu initiative: Creates job opportunities for those who clear interview but miss the final list.
  3. Use of AI: To enhance efficiency and transparency without compromising integrity.
  4. Commitment: Adaptation to global disruptions in governance while preserving fairness.

Conclusion

The UPSC is not merely an examining authority; it is the guardian of meritocracy and a living institution embodying India’s faith in fairness and justice. As it celebrates its centenary, the challenge lies in preserving its values while adapting to a rapidly transforming world. For aspirants, the story of UPSC is not only an institutional history but also a guiding philosophy — to work with perseverance, detachment, and integrity.

Value Addition 

Constitutional Framework of UPSC (Articles 315–323)

Establishment (Art. 315)

  1. UPSC for the Union and State Public Service Commissions (SPSC) for each state.
  2. Ensures independent and impartial recruitment of civil servants.

Appointment of Members and Chairman (Art. 316)

  1. Chairman appointed by the President of India.
  2. Members appointed by the President.
  3. Qualifications: Not specified; expected to have experience in administration, academics, or law.

Removal and Suspension (Art. 317)

  • Chairman or members can only be removed by President on:
    1. Proven misbehavior (after Supreme Court inquiry)
    2. Incapacity
    3. Protection ensures independence from political pressure.

Conditions of Service (Art. 318)

  1. President regulates terms of service, pay, allowances, and pensions of chairman and members.
  2. Members can resign with prior notice.

Cessation of Office (Art. 319): Member ceases to hold office on:

  1. Completion of tenure
  2. Resignation
  3. Removal under Art. 317

Functions of UPSC (Art. 320)

  1. Recruitment: Conduct examinations for All India and Group A & B services.
  2. Promotions and Transfers: Advises government on appointments, promotions, and transfers.
  3. Disciplinary Matters: Advises on punishment or removal of civil servants.
  4. Advisory Role: Any service-related matters referred by the government.

Extension of Functions (Art. 321)

  1. Parliament or State Legislature can expand UPSC’s functions.

Budgetary Provisions (Art. 322)

  1. Expenses of UPSC charged on Consolidated Fund of India — ensures financial autonomy.

Reporting to President/Parliament (Art. 323)

  1. Annual and special reports submitted to President.
  2. President places them before Parliament along with comments.

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Women empowerment issues – Jobs,Reservation and education

The transformation of girls education

Explained | Social Justice | Mains Paper 2: Health & Education

Introduction

“Beti padhegi toh kya karegi?” — a once common phrase in Indian households, captures the deep-rooted gender bias against girls’ education. In sharp contrast, India today is witnessing a remarkable transformation where girls’ education is not only improving literacy rates but also shaping health, fertility, workforce participation, and leadership outcomes. This transformation, spearheaded by initiatives like Kanya Kelavani in Gujarat and later Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) at the national level, represents a structural and cultural shift in Indian society.

Why is this transformation in the news?

Girls’ education in India is witnessing measurable improvements backed by accountability and systemic policy pushes. The nationwide BBBP initiative, initially launched in 100 gender-critical districts, has led to a visible improvement in sex ratio at birth (919 in 2015-16 to 929 in 2019-21), reduced female dropout rates, and higher female literacy in states like Gujarat. These achievements are striking because they stand in contrast to decades of entrenched female foeticide, poor infrastructure for girls, and deep social stigma. For the first time, policy, leadership, and public movements have converged to change mindsets at scale, making this one of the most significant social transformations of contemporary India.

The Gujarat Model of Change

  1. Multi-pronged approach: Tackled female foeticide and illiteracy not just with laws but also through perception change, infrastructure, and incentives.
  2. Kanya Kelavani Campaign (2003): Focused on awareness, provision of toilets for girls (a major dropout factor), and community participation.
  3. Striking impact: Female literacy rate in Gujarat rose to 70% (above national average of 64%); dropout rates reduced by 90% in targeted districts.
  4. Symbolic leadership: PM Modi auctioned personal gifts raising ₹19 crore for girls’ education, alongside a personal donation of ₹21 lakh, signalling public ownership of the movement.

Scaling Success Nationwide: Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao

  1. Launched in 2015: Nationwide expansion of Gujarat’s lessons to prevent female foeticide and promote education.
  2. Inter-ministerial coordination: Involved Women and Child Development, Health, and Education ministries for an integrated push.

  • Impact:

    1. Sex ratio at birth: Improved from 919 (2015-16) to 929 (2019-21).
    2. Wider coverage: Expanded beyond the initial 100 critical districts to pan-India.
    3. 20 out of 30 States/UTs performing better than national average sex ratio (930).

The Ripple and Multiplier Effects of Educated Girls

  1. Demographic shift: Educated women marry later, have fewer children; Total Fertility Rate fell to 2.0 (below replacement).
  2. Health outcomes: More likely to seek institutional deliveries and prenatal care; Infant Mortality Rate reduced from 49 (2014) to 33 (2020).
  3. Economic participation: Rising visibility in healthcare, STEM, education, entrepreneurship, armed forces, and tech leadership.
  4. Intergenerational impact: Children of educated mothers perform better in school, with healthier outcomes.
  5. Changing mindsets: In Madhya Pradesh, 89.5% aware of BBBP, and 63.2% credited it with motivating families to send daughters to school.

Challenges Ahead

  1. Labour force participation: Despite progress, overall female labour participation remains low.
  2. Regional disparities: Some states and districts lag significantly in sex ratio and enrollment.
  3. Cultural inertia: Early marriages, dowry, and gendered household expectations still restrict education gains.

Conclusion

The transformation in girls’ education marks one of the most profound social revolutions in India. From Gujarat’s Kanya Kelavani to the nationwide BBBP, the shift is not only about literacy but about empowering women to be leaders, professionals, and change-makers. As the article highlights, when you educate a girl, you transform a society. Sustaining this momentum will be crucial for India’s journey towards equity, development, and inclusive growth.

PYQ Relevance

[UPSC 2021] Though women in post-Independent India have excelled in various fields, the social attitude towards women and feminist movement has been patriarchal.” Apart from women education and women empowerment schemes, what interventions can help change this milieu?

Linkage: The article shows that while education and schemes like BBBP have triggered change, sustained mindset shifts through community engagement, legal safeguards, and leadership-driven social movements are equally vital to challenge India’s patriarchal milieu.

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Labour, Jobs and Employment – Harmonization of labour laws, gender gap, unemployment, etc.

More Women join the labour force, but are they really employed?

Explained | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Issues relating growth and development, employment

Introduction

The female labour force participation rate (FLFPR) is often viewed as a proxy for gender equality and economic dynamism. India’s FLFPR dropped from 31.2% in 2011-12 to 23.3% in 2017-18 but has dramatically risen to 41.7% in 2023-24. At first glance, this looks like a success story. However, closer scrutiny reveals that most women are being absorbed into agriculture, unpaid household enterprises, and low-paying self-employment, rather than formal or secure wage jobs. The paradox is clear: more women are being “counted” in the labour market, but their earnings and economic independence remain stagnant or declining.

Why is female labour force participation in the news?

  1. Sharp rise in FLFPR: Jumped from 23.3% in 2017-18 to 41.7% in 2023-24.
  2. First-time reversal: After years of decline, the participation rate is rising again.
  3. Underlying concern: Despite more women “working,” earnings have fallen, and secure wage jobs remain elusive.
  4. Contradiction: Participation has grown, but instead of diversifying into services/industry, women are moving back into agriculture.

What explains the rise in female participation?

  1. Rural women as drivers: Most of the rise is accounted for by women in rural India.
  2. Shift from domestic duties: Share of women reporting “domestic duties” fell from 57.8% (2017-18) to 35.7% (2023-24).
  3. Rise in unpaid helpers: Share of “helpers in household enterprises” rose from 9.1% to 19.6%.
  4. Self-employment increase: “Own account workers and employers” rose from 4.5% to 14.6%.

Are women moving to better jobs?

  1. Agriculture dominance: Share of rural women in agriculture rose from 71.1% (2018-19) to 76.9% (2023-24).
  2. Decline in other sectors: Women’s share in both secondary (industry) and tertiary (services) sectors has fallen.
  3. Blurring boundaries: Women’s unpaid household work overlaps with helper roles in household enterprises, making it questionable whether this should count as “employment.”

What about earnings and job quality?

  1. Declining real earnings: Except for casual workers, earnings have declined across categories—self-employed, salaried, and even employers.
  2. Vulnerability of self-employment: More women are reporting self-employment, but this has not translated into higher income.
  3. No wage expansion: Growth in FLFPR has not been accompanied by secure wage-based jobs.

Why does this matter for India’s economy and gender equality?

  1. False signal of empowerment: Higher FLFPR without earnings security reflects distress-driven participation, not genuine empowerment.
  2. Economic vulnerability: Rising unpaid and low-paid work lowers household resilience and women’s autonomy.
  3. Policy challenge: Employment growth is not keeping pace with women’s entry into the workforce, pointing to structural issues in India’s labour market.

Conclusion

The sharp rise in India’s female labour force participation hides more than it reveals. Women are being pushed into unpaid or poorly paid work, especially in agriculture and household enterprises, while real earnings are falling. This suggests that India’s growth story is not translating into dignified employment for women. For true gender equality, the focus must shift from mere participation numbers to quality, security, and remuneration of women’s work. Only then will women’s economic empowerment become a reality.

PYQ Relevance

[UPSC 2023] Distinguish between ‘care economy’ and ‘monetized economy’. How can the care economy be brought into a monetized economy through women empowerment?

Linkage: The article highlights women’s shift from domestic duties to unpaid helper roles, directly linking the care economy to the challenge of integrating it into the monetized economy through women’s empowerment.

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Foreign Policy Watch: United Nations

[pib] India re-elected to Part II of ICAO Council

IOCR | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and agreements involving India

Why in the News?

During the 42nd International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly in Montreal, India was re-elected to Part II of the ICAO Council.

About the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO):

  • Overview: Specialized UN agency created in 1944 through the Chicago Convention (signed 7 December 1944).
  • Headquarters: Montreal, Canada; Membership: 193 states (virtually every UN member).
  • Objectives: Ensure safe and orderly growth of international civil aviation; Standardize aviation rules and regulations across nations.

  • Functions:

    • Formulates Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) for global aviation.
    • Promotes air safety, security, efficiency, and environmental protection.
    • Resolves aviation disputes between states.
    • Monitors compliance with international aviation norms.
    • Coordinates global air traffic management and accident investigation standards.

  • Structure:

    • Assembly: Sovereign body, meets every 3 years, includes all 193 members.
    • Secretariat: Headed by Secretary-General.
    • Council: 36 elected members serving 3-year terms; key decision-making body.
    • Bureaus: Air Navigation, Air Transport, Technical Co-operation, Legal, Administration & Services.

ICAO and India:

  • Membership: Founder member since 1944, uninterrupted presence on ICAO Council for 81 years.
  • Nodal Agency: Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
  • Performance: India rated above global average for airworthiness in 2022 ICAO audit.
  • Contributions: Active in policy development, international standards, harmonized and sustainable aviation frameworks.
  • Aviation Growth: One of the fastest-growing markets globally, attracting investments in aircraft manufacturing, MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul), and skill development.
  • Cultural Role: India hosts International Civil Aviation Day annually (first observed 1994; UN recognition 1996).

India’s Re-Election to ICAO Council (2025–2028):

  • Significance: Elected to Part II of ICAO Council (states making largest contribution to civil air navigation facilities); India positioned itself as a global aviation hub.
  • Priorities for 2025–2028 Term:
    • Strengthening aviation safety, security, and sustainability.
    • Promoting equitable growth in air connectivity.
    • Advancing technology and innovation in aviation.
    • Supporting ICAO’s “No Country Left Behind” initiative.

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Trade Sector Updates – Falling Exports, TIES, MEIS, Foreign Trade Policy, etc.

Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) Scheme

Schemes | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Effects Of Liberalization On The Economy, Changes In Industrial Policy and their effects on Industrial Growth

Why in the News?

The Government has extended the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) Scheme until March 31, 2026, providing relief and policy certainty to exporters.

About the RoDTEP Scheme:

  • Launch & Context: Introduced on 1 January 2021 under the Foreign Trade Policy 2015–20, replacing the Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) after India lost a case at the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
  • Administration: Managed by the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, and implemented via the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC).
  • Objective: Refund hidden domestic taxes/duties on exports to ensure goods leave the country free of embedded levies, enhancing competitiveness and ensuring WTO compliance.
  • Coverage: Applicable to all Indian exporters (manufacturers and merchants) including SEZs, Export Oriented Units (EOUs), Advance Authorisation (AA) holders, and Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) units.
  • Timeline: Initially valid till 5 February 2025, restored in May 2025 for AA, EOU, and SEZ exports after industry lobbying, and now extended till 31 March 2026.

Key Features:

  • Hidden Taxes Covered: Refunds duties such as electricity duty, mandi tax, fuel charges in transport, and local cesses.
  • Rebate Mechanism: Calculated as a percentage of the Free on Board (FOB) value of exports.
  • Refund Mode: Benefits disbursed as electronic scrips (e-scrips), stored in CBIC’s digital ledger.
  • Use of E-Scrips: Can be utilised to pay basic customs duty or transferred to other importers.
  • Sectoral Priority: Focus on labour-intensive industries like textiles, handicrafts, leather, etc.
  • Exclusion: Re-exported goods are not eligible under RoDTEP.
  • Budgetary Control: Operates strictly within annual budget allocations, as clarified by DGFT.
  • Policy Certainty: Extension till 2026 ensures stability for exporters facing global trade headwinds.
[UPSC 2020] With reference to the international trade of India at present, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1.  India’s merchandise exports are less than its merchandise imports.

2. India’s imports of iron and steel, chemicals, fertilizers and machinery have decreased in recent years.

3. India’s exports of services are more than its imports of services.

4. India suffers from an overall trade/current account deficit.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Options: (a) 1 and 2 only  (b) 2 and 4 only (c) 3 only (d) 1, 3 and 4 only*

 

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Climate Change Negotiations – UNFCCC, COP, Other Conventions and Protocols

Geoengineering Proposals for Polar Regions found flawed

Prelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

Why in the News?

A University of Exeter study found five major polar geoengineering methods ineffective and risky, failing criteria for responsible climate intervention.

Geoengineering in Polar Regions: Study Findings

Method Description Intended Benefit Key Findings & Limitations
Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI) Artificially releasing aerosols (SO₂, sulphur particles, TiO₂, CaCO₃) into the stratosphere to reflect sunlight. Reduce surface temperatures by blocking solar radiation.
  • Ineffective in polar winters (no sunlight) and of limited use in summers (ice already highly reflective).
  • Sudden termination can cause “termination shock” with rapid global warming.
  • Potential to disrupt global weather cycles, harming food and water security.
  • No global governance on costs or liability. Estimated cost: $55M/year per country (if 30 nations share).
Sea Curtains / Sea Walls Massive buoyant barriers anchored to seafloor to block warm currents from reaching ice sheets. Slow melting of glaciers by insulating them from warm water.
  • Technically near-impossible in remote seas like Amundsen (Antarctica).
  • Extremely high costs — >$1 billion/km.
  • Threatens marine circulation, fish migration, and nutrient cycles.
  • Installation in harsh polar seas only possible for few months a year; requires custom-built ships.
  • Risk of toxic materials leaching into ocean.
Sea Ice Management (Microbeads) Sprinkling glass microbeads over sea ice to increase albedo (reflectivity) and thicken ice. Preserve summer ice, slow down warming.
  • Requires 360M tonnes of beads annually — equal to world’s plastic production.
  • Major logistical and emissions challenges.
  • Beads dissolve quickly, reducing effectiveness.
  • Some studies show beads absorb sunlight, causing net warming.
  • Costly: $500B/year for Arctic deployment; requires 100M pumps, huge energy draw.
Basal Water Removal Pumping subglacial meltwater from under Antarctic glaciers. Reduce glacier sliding, thus slowing sea-level rise.
  • Flawed logic: subglacial water is constantly replenished by frictional/geothermal heating.
  • Highly emissions-intensive and energy-consuming.
  • Requires continuous monitoring, maintenance, and heavy infrastructure.
  • Long-term sustainability questioned.
Ocean Fertilisation Adding nutrients (e.g., iron) to stimulate phytoplankton growth, enhancing CO₂ absorption. Sequester more carbon in oceans.
  • No control over which phytoplankton species dominate, creating food chain imbalances. 
  • Could harm marine biodiversity and alter global nutrient cycles.
  • Needs deployment at massive, impractical scale.
  • Risk of side-effects outweighs uncertain benefits.

 

[UPSC 2020] Consider the following activities:

1. Spreading finely ground basalt rock extensively on farmlands

2. Increasing the alkalinity of oceans by adding lime

3. Capturing carbon dioxide released by various industries and pumping it into abandoned subterranean mines in the form of carbonated waters

How many of the above activities are often considered and discussed for carbon capture and sequestration?

Options: (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three* (d) None

 

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International Space Agencies – Missions and Discoveries

NASA’s Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP)

Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

Why in the News?

NASA has recently launched the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Centre, Florida.

About IMAP Mission:

  • Context: Operates under NASA’s Solar Terrestrial Probes Program, following missions like STEREO and IBEX.
  • Objective: To map the heliosphere boundary, study energetic particle acceleration, and understand how the solar wind interacts with the interstellar medium.
  • Location: Positioned at Sun–Earth Lagrange Point 1 (L1), ~1.5 million km from Earth, ensuring continuous solar observation.

NASA’s Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP)

Back2Basics: Heliosphere

  • The heliosphere is a vast bubble-like region around the Sun created by the flow of solar wind (charged particles emitted by the Sun).
  • It extends well beyond Pluto and acts as a shield, protecting the solar system from much of the harmful cosmic radiation from interstellar space.
  • Its outer boundary, called the heliopause, marks where solar wind pressure balances with interstellar medium pressure.

Key Features:

  • Scientific Payload: 10 instruments including- Energetic Neutral Atom Detectors; Charged Particle Detectors and Magnetic & Dust Sensors.
  • Real-Time Alerts: Equipped with I-ALiRT (Active Link for Real-Time) to broadcast space weather data and provide ~30 minutes’ warning of harmful solar radiation.
  • Spacecraft Design: Spin-stabilized, in a Lissajous orbit around L1, ensuring Sun-facing stability.
  • Enhanced Sensitivity: Higher resolution compared to ACE and IBEX, enabling detection of faint cosmic signals.

Significance:

  • Scientific: Creates the most detailed maps of the heliosphere boundary, improves understanding of solar wind, cosmic rays, and space weather.
  • Technological: Strengthens space weather forecasting, safeguarding satellites, GPS systems, and power grids.
  • Human Spaceflight: Critical for Artemis and future deep-space missions, informing radiation shielding and safe travel routes.
  • Global Collaboration: Complements missions like NASA–ESA’s Solar Orbiter and the upcoming LISA mission, boosting multi-messenger space science.
  • Habitability Research: Provides insights into how heliospheres shield planets, vital for studying Earth’s resilience and exoplanet habitability.
[UPSC 2016] What is ‘Greased Lightning-10 (GL-10)’, recently in the news?

Options: (a) Electric plane tested by NASA *

(b) Solar-powered two-seater aircraft designed by Japan

(c) Space observatory launched by China

(d) Reusable rocket designed by ISRO

 

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NGOs vs. GoI: The Conflicts and Scrutinies

Centre directs NGOs to seek FCRA renewal 4 months before expiry

Prelims Only | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Governance, Transparency & Accountability, Citizens Charters

Why in the News?

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has instructed NGOs to submit their Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010 renewal applications at least four months before expiry.

About the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA):

  • Origin: First enacted in 1976 during the Emergency to regulate inflow of foreign funds.
  • FCRA, 2010: Replaced the 1976 Act to strengthen regulation and ensure foreign funds are used for legitimate purposes without compromising sovereignty, security, or national interest.
  • Coverage: Applies to individuals, associations, and organizations receiving foreign contributions.
  • Administration: Managed by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
  • Objectives:
    • Ensure foreign funds are used responsibly.
    • Prevent undue foreign influence on Indian politics, civil society, and governance.
    • Safeguard sovereignty, integrity, and harmony.

Key Provisions of FCRA, 2010:

  • Registration: Only organizations with definite cultural, social, economic, educational, or religious objectives can apply.
  • Validity: Registration valid for 5 years; renewal required 6 months before expiry.
  • Designated Bank Account: NGOs must open an exclusive FCRA account in SBI, New Delhi.
  • Annual Reporting:
    • Receipts and utilization must be reported annually.
    • Accounts must be audited by a Chartered Accountant.
    • Banks must report foreign fund receipts to MHA.
  • Administrative Expenses: NGOs can use a maximum of 20% of foreign funds for admin costs (earlier 50%).
  • Special Provisions:
    • NGOs can spend up to ₹25 lakh annually outside their constituency/state for projects promoting national unity.
    • In severe natural calamities, MPs/NGOs may allocate up to ₹1 crore for relief anywhere in India.
  • Prohibited Recipients: Foreign funds cannot go to election candidates, journalists, media houses, judges, government servants, political parties or office bearers, or organizations of political nature.
  • Prohibited Activities: NGOs cannot:
    • Represent fictitious entities.
    • Engage in religious conversions.
    • Have records of communal tension, disharmony, or sedition.

Amendments to FCRA:

FCRA Amendment Act, 2020

  • Suspension: Government can suspend registration for up to 360 days.
  • Mandatory Aadhaar: All office bearers, directors, and key functionaries must provide Aadhaar.
  • Prohibition on Sub-Granting: NGOs cannot transfer foreign contributions to other NGOs/entities.
  • Reduced Admin Cap: Admin expenses limited to 20% (earlier 50%).
  • Designated SBI Account: All foreign funds must be received only in an FCRA account at SBI, New Delhi.
  • Bar on Public Servants: Public servants prohibited from receiving foreign contributions.
  • Renewal Scrutiny: Renewal applications can be examined for misuse, fictitious status, or rule violations.
  • Surrender of Certificate: NGOs can surrender registration with government approval.

FCRA Rules, 2022:

  • Raised the annual limit for money received from relatives abroad to ₹10 lakh (earlier ₹1 lakh) without notifying MHA.
  • Strengthened safeguards against harmful foreign contributions.

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