---
layout: default
title: "Centre for Internet and Society FCRA Registration (2012)"
description: "The 2012 registration of the Centre for Internet and Society under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, including its registration number, permitted activities, compliance requirements, and five-year validity."
permalink: /cis/fcra-registration-2012/
categories: ["Centre for Internet and Society"]
date: 2012-01-12
created: 2026-07-18
homepage_featured: true
---

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The **Centre for Internet and Society FCRA Registration (2012)** covers the registration of the [Centre for Internet and Society](/cis/) (CIS) under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010. CIS applied for registration on 1 August 2011 and was registered under Section 11(1) of the Act with registration number `094421473`, covering activities classified as cultural, educational, and social. The Ministry of Home Affairs communicated the registration in a letter dated 12 January 2012, setting out conditions governing the receipt, use, reporting, and transfer of foreign contributions. The registration certificate was valid for five years from the date of registration, with prior permission required before receiving any remittance from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) or HIVOS. 

[Sunil Abraham](/sunil/) was the Executive Director of CIS during this period. As part of its documentation of CIS, The Sunil Abraham Project (TSAP) focuses particularly on the organisation's history and work between its founding in 2008 and mid-2019, when Sunil stepped down as Executive Director.

## Contents

1. [Registration](#registration)
2. [Reporting and Bank Account Requirements](#reporting-and-bank-account-requirements)
3. [Restrictions and Compliance Requirements](#restrictions-and-compliance-requirements)
4. [Prior Permission for IDRC and HIVOS Funding](#prior-permission-for-idrc-and-hivos-funding)
5. [Validity](#validity)
6. [Communication to the State Bank of India](#communication-to-the-state-bank-of-india)
7. [Original Document](#original-document)

## Registration

CIS submitted its application for registration under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, on 1 August 2011. The Government of India, through the Ministry of Home Affairs, subsequently registered the organisation under Section 11(1) of the Act.

The registration details recorded in the Ministry's communication were:

- **Registration number:** 094421473
- **Nature of activities:** Cultural, Educational, Social
- **Application date:** 1 August 2011
- **Ministry communication date:** 12 January 2012

The letter, bearing reference number `II/21022/69(0142)/2011-FCRA-II`, was addressed to the Chief Functionary of CIS at 194, 2nd C Cross, Domlur 2nd Stage, Bangalore, Karnataka 560071.

## Reporting and Bank Account Requirements

Under Section 18 of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, read with Rule 17 of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Rules, 2011, CIS was required to report foreign contributions received by the organisation within the prescribed period. The reporting requirements covered the amount received, the source of the contribution, and the manner in which the funds were used.

The Ministry stated that a return was required even when there was no foreign contribution to report, in which case a "NIL" return had to be furnished. The communication referred to Form FC-6 for online submission of these returns.

CIS was also instructed to use the bank account specified in its application exclusively for receiving foreign contributions. No other funds were to be credited to that account. Any change to the organisation's name, address, or designated bank account had to be immediately communicated to the Ministry and confirmed in writing.

## Restrictions and Compliance Requirements

The registration was accompanied by several conditions under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, and the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Rules, 2011.

The Ministry stated that the association could not publish a newspaper registered under the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867, or act as a correspondent, columnist, editor, printer, or publisher of a registered newspaper. It also referred to restrictions concerning the production or broadcast of audio news, audiovisual news, or current affairs programmes through electronic or other forms of mass communication under Section 3(1)(g) and (h) of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010.

The communication further stated that CIS was prohibited from becoming involved in activities of a political nature.

Before passing foreign contribution to another person or association in India, CIS was required to ensure compliance with Section 7 of the Act and Rule 24 of the 2011 Rules. A recipient had to be eligible to receive foreign contribution, either through registration under the Act or prior permission from the Government under Section 11, and could not be prohibited from receiving foreign contribution under the Act.

The Ministry also instructed CIS to familiarise itself with the provisions of the Act and Rules and warned that failure to comply could result in action under the relevant provisions of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010.

## Prior Permission for IDRC and HIVOS Funding

The registration letter specifically required CIS to obtain prior permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs before receiving any remittance from IDRC or HIVOS.

This requirement was stated separately and prominently in the Ministry's communication, in addition to the general conditions attached to the organisation's FCRA registration.

## Validity

The Ministry stated that the certificate of registration was valid for a period of five years from the date of registration under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010.

The registration communication was signed by H. K. Kawllienthang, Under Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs.

## Communication to the State Bank of India

A copy of the registration communication was also sent to the Manager of the State Bank of India at 29/4 Race Course Road Trade Centre, Bangalore.

The Ministry referred to State Bank of India account number `30738751819`, which had been opened by CIS exclusively for receiving foreign contributions. Under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, read with Rule 16 of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Rules, 2011, the bank was requested to provide the Ministry with information about inward remittances received by CIS in the prescribed manner. It was also asked to submit an annual report concerning the foreign contributions received by the organisation.

## Original Document

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