Chartered Accountant · ICAI M.No. 153926 · FRN 136869W
Registration vs prior permission
Ongoing general approval vs one-off project-specific approval.
SBI Delhi account
Both route foreign funds through the designated SBI New Delhi main branch account.
Choosing between them, and the shared duties
The choice turns on maturity and need. Full FCRA registration suits an established NGO with the three-year track record that expects to receive foreign funds from multiple donors on an ongoing basis — it’s a general, renewable approval. Prior permission suits a newer organisation, or one without the spend history, that has a specific foreign donor and a defined project lined up — it approves that particular contribution, amount and purpose, and is the natural first step that can later be followed by full registration once the track record builds. Both routes share the same strict plumbing: a single designated FCRA receipt account at the State Bank of India, New Delhi main branch, separation of foreign from domestic funds, use strictly for the approved purposes, limits on administrative expenses, and the annual Form FC-4 return. Office-bearers must meet the fit-and-proper conditions for either. So the decision isn’t about lighter compliance — the operating rules are similar — but about whether you need open-ended, ongoing approval or a one-time, project-specific one. An NGO unsure which to pursue should look at its age, its spend record, and whether the foreign funding is a one-off grant or a continuing relationship. Confirm the current conditions for each route.