Online Reporting of Foreign Contribution Receipts Mandatory from Nov 2013
No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2013-14/280 · issued 20 Sep 2013 · ~2 min read
Quick answerFrom November 1, 2013, all scheduled commercial banks (excluding RRBs) must report foreign contribution receipts online via MHA's software. Earlier optional, this becomes compulsory. Banks must create IDs and passwords immediately and submit data in Excel, CSV, or txt formats.
What changed
RBI has mandated that from November 1, 2013, banks must use MHA's online software to report foreign contribution receipts under Rule 16 of FCRA Rules, 2011. Until October 31, 2013, online submission was optional. Banks must now create login credentials and follow the user guide for formats.
What it means for you
Banks must transition from manual or optional reporting to a compulsory online system for foreign contribution receipts. This streamlines compliance but requires immediate IT readiness and staff training. Non-compliance could attract regulatory scrutiny, so banks should prioritize setting up access and testing submissions before the deadline.
Historical instruction — do not use for current compliance. This is what was required at the time; it no longer reflects current RBI requirements. If no replacement rule is linked above, that only means none is recorded on our register yet — it does not prove no later applicable rule exists. Confirm on the official RBI source below.
What banks were required to do at the time
Create your bank's ID and password on MHA's online reporting portal immediately.
Download and study the user guide from the provided MHA link for format and submission instructions.
Ensure data for foreign contribution receipts is prepared in Excel, CSV, or txt format as specified.
Train compliance officers on the new online submission process before November 1, 2013.
Acknowledge receipt of this circular to RBI as instructed.
Who it affects
All scheduled commercial banks (excluding Regional Rural Banks), Compliance officers and principal officers of banks, IT departments handling regulatory reporting systems
❓ Common questions
Regulatory timeline
Decoded by BankPulse2026-06-18 12:35 IST
repealed_by — Consolidation of Regulations — Withdrawal of circulars (28 Nov 2025)
Status change: withdrawn03 Aug 2026, 04:00 IST
Built from our lineage records — each fact carries its provenance; missing history simply is not shown (never guessed).
What is the deadline for mandatory online reporting?
Online submission of foreign contribution receipt reports becomes compulsory from November 1, 2013. Until October 31, 2013, it remains optional.
What file formats are accepted for online reports?
MHA accepts data in Excel, CSV, or txt formats. Detailed instructions are in the user guide linked in the circular.
Who should we contact for technical issues with the online portal?
For technical problems, contact Shri C.L. Sharma, Technical Director at NIC, New Delhi. For other clarifications, email MHA at the address provided in the circular.
📜 This document’s life story (1 recorded event, each backed by RBI’s own words)
Repealed byRBI/2025-26/100 — Consolidation of Regulations — Withdrawal of circulars (28 Nov 2025)
RBI’s words: “Official withdrawal register entry #1016: DBOD.AML.No.4814/14.08.001/2013-14 — "Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Rule, 2011 - Online Reporting of Receipt of Foreign Contribution by Banks" dated Septe”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2013-14/280
DBOD. AML.No.4814/14.08.001/2013-14
September 20, 2013
The Chairmen / Chief Executive Officers
All Scheduled Commercial Banks (excluding RRBs)
Dear Sir/Madam,
Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Rule, 2011- Online Reporting of Receipt of Foreign Contribution by banks
Under Rule 16 of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Rule, 2011, banks have to report to Central Government any transaction in respect of receipt of foreign contribution. Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India has developed a software for submission of online reports of receipt of foreign contribution by banks. MHA has advised that submitting reports online through software would be optional till October 31, 2013. From November 1, 2013 onward, online submission of report would be compulsory.
2. MHA has given following instructions regarding submitting reports online:
The online reports should contain data in Excel, CSV or txt. Detailed instructions regarding furnishing online reports and formats of report are given in the attached user guide. Link to instructions and formats is given below:
http://mha.nic.in/pdfs/USERGuideBank-270813.pdf
All banks are accordingly advised to create their I.D. and password immediately.
3. For any clarification/suggestion regarding submission of reports, you may contact MHA at email . For any problem in filling online application, you may send email to Shri C.L.Sharma, Technical Director, (NIC), New Delhi.
4. Compliance Officer/Principal Officer should acknowledge receipt of this circular.
Yours faithfully,
(Prakash Chandra Sahoo)
Chief General Manager
Encl.: User Guide
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2013-14/280 · issued 20 Sep 2013. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Discuss this circular with fellow bankers — reply, upvote what helps, report what doesn’t belong. Be professional; no client data. Views are the commenter’s own, not BankPulse’s.
BankPulse Compliance Evidence Pack — generated 03 Aug 2026 · status cross-checked against RBI’s official withdrawal register (refreshed weekly). Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=8445&Mode=0 — Plain-English summary by BankPulse (bankpulse.ai), reviewed by our expert reviewer, CA Amit Jain. Independent platform, not affiliated with the Reserve Bank of India; is our own plain-English paraphrase, not RBI’s original wording.
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