Non-governmental organisation
Also called: NGO · Topic: Civil Society, Pressure Groups, NGOs and Self-help Groups · NCERT: Class 7, Ch 6 "The State, the Government, and You"
Meaning
A non-governmental organisation (NGO) is a non-profit body that is independent of the government. NGOs deliver services in health, education and livelihoods. They also fight for people's rights through campaigns and court cases, watch over the government and test new ideas. In India an NGO usually takes one of three legal forms: a society, a public charitable trust or a Section 8 company. Foreign funding is regulated by the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act 2010, run by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
Example
ASER surveys on children's learning are an example of an NGO testing new ideas and acting as a watchdog. On accountability, the Supreme Court held in D.A.V. College Trust (2019) that NGOs substantially funded by the government are "public authorities" under the RTI Act. This means citizens can seek information from them.
Don't confuse with
- Self-help group (SHG): a small group of 10-20 members, mostly poor women, who save and lend to each other. An NGO serves others; an SHG serves its own members.
- Pressure group: an organised group that tries to influence government policy for a shared interest. Many NGOs do advocacy, but service delivery is their core work.