UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Centre puts off FCRA Bill as protests erupt in LS

Question 1

Which legislation first regulated the acceptance of foreign contributions by political parties, election candidates, judges and government servants in India, before being repealed and replaced?

Accepted Answer

Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 1976

Answer

Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 1973

Answer

Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010

Answer

Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999

Question 2

With reference to the evolution of foreign-contribution law in India, consider the following statements:
1. The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 1976 was repealed and replaced by the FCRA, 2010.
2. The FCRA, 2010 is administered by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
3. The requirement to receive foreign contribution only in a designated SBI New Delhi account was introduced by the 1976 Act.
4. The administrative-expense cap was reduced to 20% by the FCRA, 2010.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 2

Answer

2 and 4

Answer

1, 2 and 3

Answer

3 and 4

Question 3

For how many years is a certificate of registration under the FCRA, 2010 valid before it must be renewed?

Accepted Answer

5 years

Answer

3 years

Answer

7 years

Answer

10 years

Question 4

With reference to registration and compliance under the FCRA (as amended in 2020), consider the following statements:
1. Foreign contribution must be received only in a designated 'FCRA account' at the State Bank of India, New Delhi Main Branch.
2. A registered recipient may freely sub-grant/transfer foreign contribution to another FCRA-registered person.
3. The Aadhaar number of all office bearers or key functionaries is required for registration.
4. The registration certificate is valid for five years.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1, 3 and 4

Answer

1 and 3

Answer

2 and 4

Answer

1, 2 and 4

Question 5

Under which section of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 are election candidates, political parties, judges, government servants and legislators barred from accepting foreign contribution?

Accepted Answer

Section 3

Answer

Section 7

Answer

Section 11

Answer

Section 14

Question 6

Under Section 3 of the FCRA, 2010, consider the following and identify who is/are barred from accepting foreign contribution:
1. Candidates for election
2. Judges
3. Registered charitable trusts running social programmes
4. Editors and owners of registered newspapers
Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 4

Answer

1 and 2

Answer

2 and 3

Answer

1, 3 and 4

Question 7

The FCRA Amendment Act, 2020 reduced the ceiling on the use of foreign contribution for administrative expenses to which of the following limits?

Accepted Answer

20% of the foreign contribution received

Answer

50% of the foreign contribution received

Answer

25% of the foreign contribution received

Answer

10% of the foreign contribution received

Question 8

With reference to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, consider the following statements:
1. It provides for vesting of foreign-contribution assets in a Designated Authority when registration is cancelled or ceases.
2. Proceeds from the disposal of permanently vested assets are to be credited to the Consolidated Fund of India.
3. It raises the maximum imprisonment for contravention from one year to five years.
4. It prohibits any person engaged in production or broadcasting of news from accepting foreign contribution.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 4

Answer

1 and 3

Answer

2 and 4

Answer

1, 3 and 4

Question 9

Consider the following statements regarding the constitutional and administrative framework of the FCRA:
1. The FCRA is a law enacted by Parliament, foreign affairs and related matters falling within the Union List.
2. The FCRA, 2010 is administered by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
3. State governments grant and cancel FCRA registration certificates within their territory.
4. The FCRA (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was introduced in the Lok Sabha.
Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

3 only

Answer

1 and 2

Answer

2 and 4

Answer

1 and 3

Question 10

An association whose FCRA registration is cancelled is ineligible for fresh registration or grant of prior permission for a period of how many years from the date of cancellation?

Accepted Answer

3 years

Answer

1 year

Answer

5 years

Answer

7 years

Question 11

The FCRA, 2010 — whose 2020 amendments were challenged before and upheld by the Supreme Court — is operationalised by which ministry of the Union Government?

Accepted Answer

Ministry of Home Affairs

Answer

Ministry of External Affairs

Answer

Ministry of Finance

Answer

Ministry of Corporate Affairs

UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Centre puts off FCRA Bill as protests erupt in LS

Q1. Which legislation first regulated the acceptance of foreign contributions by political parties, election candidates, judges and government servants in India, before being repealed and replaced?

Q3. For how many years is a certificate of registration under the FCRA, 2010 valid before it must be renewed?

Q5. Under which section of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 are election candidates, political parties, judges, government servants and legislators barred from accepting foreign contribution?

Q7. The FCRA Amendment Act, 2020 reduced the ceiling on the use of foreign contribution for administrative expenses to which of the following limits?

Q10. An association whose FCRA registration is cancelled is ineligible for fresh registration or grant of prior permission for a period of how many years from the date of cancellation?

Q11. The FCRA, 2010 — whose 2020 amendments were challenged before and upheld by the Supreme Court — is operationalised by which ministry of the Union Government?