Indian NGOs

Markets regulator Sebi on Friday permitted more charitable entities to raise funds through the Social Stock Exchange (SSE), in a bid to broaden access to the platform. In its latest circular, the regulator has widened the definition of Not-for-Profit Organizations (NPOs) eligible to list on the SSE. Under this expanded framework, legal structures such as trusts registered under the Indian Registration Act, 1908, charitable societies registered under the relevant state's Societies Registration Act, and companies registered under section 25 of the erstwhile Companies Act, 1956, will now fall within the definition of NPOs. To ensure accountability, Sebi has also outlined the reporting requirements for such entities. In cases where an NPO is registered without listing any security, the Annual Impact Report (AIR) need to be self-reported. This report should highlight the NPO's significant activities, interventions, programmes, or projects during the year, along with an explanation of th

More than 1,400 complaints related to accessibility have been lodged through the government's flagship Sugamya Bharat mobile application since its launch in 2021, with approximately 75 per cent of those resolved, according to official data. The Sugamya Bharat app, designed to assist people with disabilities and the elderly, allows users to report accessibility issues in public infrastructure, transportation and buildings by uploading photos. Information revealed following a Right to Information (RTI) request filed by PTI showed that 1,441 complaints were received on the app between 2021 and 2024. Of these, 1,081 were addressed after being forwarded to the authorities concerned. The RTI response revealed that 647 complaints were received in the 2021-22 period, of which 567 were resolved. The following year, 530 complaints were lodged and 391 resolved. The app recorded 264 complaints in 2023-24 while 123 were addressed. To further improve the app's functionality, the government plans

The Environics Trust had filed a petition in the Delhi High Court, contesting the notice issued to it under Section 148 of the Income Tax Act, 1961

On Tuesday, the Ministry of Home Affairs cancelled the FCRA licences of five prominent NGOs. Here is why

A team from the FATF is expected to visit India in November and meet representatives of non-profit organisations, including international ones, to get a first-hand understanding of the situation

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a plea by an NGO against any reduction in the age of consent, saying it jeopardises the interest of a large number of child victims of sexual abuse, especially girls. A bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Mishra issued notice to the Centre and tagged the plea of 'Bachpan Bachao Andolan' with a pending petition filed by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR). The NCPCR had challenged last year's order of the Punjab and Haryana High Court which said that a minor Muslim girl can marry a person of her choice. The apex court on Friday sought the Centre's response on the issue. The plea of the NGO, besides seeking a slew of directions and guidelines, has also sought a directive to the courts to refrain from making observations regarding the minor victim's casual relationship and promiscuous attitude while dealing with the criminal proceedings under the POCSO Act. It has said that the ...

A total of Rs 2,430.84 crore in foreign funding has been received by Indian NGOs in the last three years, Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai informed Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. An amount of Rs 905.50 crore in foreign funding has been received by NGOs in 2021-22, Rs 798.18 crore in 2020-21 and Rs 727.16 crore in 2019-20, he said in a written reply. The minister said as on March 10, 2023, the FCRA registration certificate of 16,383 NGOs is valid, out of which 14,966 NGOs have submitted mandatory annual returns for the financial year 2021-22 under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010. He said some complaints had been received in the past regarding misutilisation or diversion of foreign contributions by the FCRA registered associations and such complaints are dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the Act and rules.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said some NGOs have indulged in religious conversion, anti-national activities and misuse of funds to stall the country's economic progress, and strong action has been taken against such entities. He also said that even though law and order is a state subject, crimes have become borderless due to advancement of technology and success can be achieved against such trans-border crimes only when states and the Centre sit together and formulate a strategy to curb them. Addressing a two-day 'Chintan Shivir' of home ministers of all states organised by the Union home ministry here, he said that the government has amended the Foreign Contributions (Regulations) Act (FCRA) which was being misused by some NGOs to conduct anti-national activities, religious conversion, political opposition to development projects and creating obstacles in economic progress. "In 2020, the government took strong action to stop foreign funding of such NGOs by amending the

This judgement could have wide ramifications as the charitable institutions involved in any trade or commerce in the name of said provision could come under its radar

It's shameful that Indian organisations can't, or won't, donate to NGOs.

DanaMojo is a payments solution platform for NGOs

The fund is for incubating non-profit start-ups, with a technology focus, through a 3-year partnership

According to FCRA, NGOs are only eligible for FCRA registration if they have been in existence for at least three years

NGOs have expressed concerns over the provisions of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill 2020. These, they say, will further clip the wings of the beleaguered civil society

Among other provisions, the bill proposes to enable the Centre to allow a NGO or association to surrender its FCRA certificate

More CSR money has flown to govt schemes and corporate trusts rather than to NGOs

The action group will be known as Parliamentarians with Innovators for India (PIIndia.org), which aims to spur innovators to solve challenges in areas such as public health, economy, and livelihood.

A detailed design was developed and a silicone 3D printer helped them reach the basic form of their prototype

The platform allows NGOs to create events for their ongoing projects. Volunteers choose the NGO they wish to support and participate in their events

The apex court order came last week in the DAV College Trust and Management Society vs Director of Public Instructions case