Amit Shah launches FCRA 2.0, e-OCI

Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the upgraded FCRA 2.0 portal and the electronic Overseas Citizen of India (e-OCI) card system in New Delhi. The FCRA 2.0 portal aims to digitize all processes related to foreign funding, simplifying applications, renewals, and annual returns for around 14,500 active FCRA organizations in India. This initiative is designed to enhance national security through stronger monitoring of foreign funds and improve governance by reducing paperwork and ensuring faster verification. The portal, hosted on Meghraj (National Government Cloud), includes features like Aadhaar-based verification, e-sign facility, and integration with key databases such as PAN, Aadhaar, OCI, NGO Darpan, and ICAI systems. The e-OCI card system benefits over 50 lakh OCI cardholders worldwide by eliminating the need to re-issue OCI booklets when a new passport is obtained after the age of 20, reducing paperwork, and improving data management. These initiatives align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Minimum Government, Maximum Governance' principle, aiming to make governance easier for honest citizens and tougher on law violators. The India — Ministry of External Affairs also recently notified the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Rules, 2026, which establish a detailed framework for permissible religious activities and strengthen compliance requirements for organizations receiving foreign contributions.