First FCRA finish for golden boy Abhinav Bindra

New Delhi: The Union home ministry has granted Foreign Contribution Registration Act (FCRA) licence to Olympian Abhinav Bindra-run Abhinav Bindra Foundation, registered in Mohali, for five years. The registration will allow the organisation to receive foreign grants, officials said.

Bindra won India's first individual gold medal at the Olympics - in the men's 10-metre air rifle competition - at Beijing in 2008.

The non-profit organisation run by Bindra is dedicated to ensuring that global best practices are made available to all sporting activities, according to its website. During the recent Paris Olympics, India secured 71st rank with Neeraj Chopra, Manu Bhaker, Sarabjot Singh, Swapnil Kusale, Aman Sehrawat and the Indian hockey team winning medals.


In an email response to ET's queries, a spokesperson for the foundation said that it has received its FCRA certificate and appreciates the support of the central government in this regard.

"Our social impact initiatives are focused on grassroots sports development, education and environment," the spokesperson said.

On receipt of foreign grants, if any, the spokesperson said, "We are currently in the process of identifying and partnering with organisations that share our mission and vision. As of today, we do not have any sources of foreign funding."

Any non-governmental organisation can apply for FCRA licence with definite purposes such as cultural, economic, educational, religious or social programmes. The home ministry grants FCRA licence for five years and reviews the applications based on annual returns and foreign grants received for the purpose they were meant for. Any misuse or diversion of foreign funds by NGOs is considered a violation of the FCRA Act, according to the ministry.

Besides Bindra's foundation, the ministry has granted 249 FCRA licences in 2024 so far to different NGOs across the country registered as social, religious, cultural, education, economic or religious organisations.