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

Theme

T103 Civil society, NGOs, charitable trusts & donor agencies

What UPSC asks in this theme

Questions ask whether CSOs are seen as anti-state, the potential of public charitable trusts, whether donor dependence weakens community participation, NGOs as an alternative service-delivery model, how marginal non-state actors are, FCRA changes, and what kind of government–NGO–private partnership works best.

What to cover

• Types: NGOs, CSOs, trusts, cooperatives, donors, CSR foundations
• Contributions: service delivery, advocacy, watchdog, innovation (SEWA, Pratham, Akshaya Patra)
• Concerns: accountability, foreign funding, political activism, 'anti-state' label
• FCRA 2010 and 2020 amendment: key changes and criticism
• Donor dependency vs community ownership
• Partnership models: PPP in social sector, CSR, NGO–government convergence

Writing the answer

• Balance: contribution, concerns, regulatory reform
• Always give two or three named organisations

These notes are for the whole theme, built from all 7 of its PYQs. UPSC does not publish model answers.