The Church of North India (CNI), a well-known evangelical organization in operation since 1970, had its Foreign Contribution Registration Act (FCRA) license revoked by the Union Home Ministry due to purported rule violations, said officials. According to the officials, unless the license is renewed, the trust is not eligible to receive or utilize foreign contributions until the license is renewed.

The Church of North India came into existence through the merger of six different churches including the Church of India (formerly known as the Church of India, Pakistan, Burma, and Ceylon). CNI has been engaged in various social service programmes through its Synodical Board of Social Services. CNI has been receiving donations from various countries, including the United States, Europe, and Canada.

This move is in line with the government's broader initiative to crack down on non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that are found to violate FCRA regulations.

NGOs holding FCRA licenses must submit a renewal application; and the deadline, initially set for September 2020, has been extended until 31 March 2024. However, the Ministry of Home Affairs has been actively reviewing and taking action against organizations found in violation.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issues FCRA licenses for five years and evaluates applications through an assessment of annual returns and the utilization of foreign grants. Any improper use or diversion of foreign funds by NGOs is regarded as a breach of the FCRA.

Over the past year, over a hundred NGOs, including prominent organizations such as the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust, Oxfam India, Centre for Policy Research (CPR), and Care India, have experienced cancellations, suspensions, denial of renewal, or deemed expiration of their FCRA licenses.

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